Now these are the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after the ark came to rest. They were ministering with music before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they served in their office according to their order.
--1 Chronicles 6:31-32 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on July 6, 2013 of Psalm 119:25-32; Philippians 1:1-20; 1 Chronicles 6:15-80.
About forty percent of the first book of the Chronicles of the kings reads like multiple lists of genealogies, from Adam to David and a little beyond. When reciting the names of the sons of the house of Levi, a son of Israel, our author devotes a few verses to note those men appointed by King David to lead the people in worship to the Lord with music. Today we might call them the Praise Team, or something similar. Their responsibility was over the service of song, their job to minister with music. This may be the earliest record of the organization of a formal church choir, charged with leading the congregation in song during the worship service. This first choir took shape after David moved the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, singing before the Tabernacle of Meeting. Once Solomon built the Temple of the Lord, the choir moved into it for their permanent home.
Note the use of the words "their office" in today's focus verses. These men were conferred an official status by the king for their service to God. This indicates just how important a part music played in the worship service. David and music go almost hand in hand. An accomplished musician, one of David's chief responsibilities serving under Saul was to calm the king by playing the harp for him. And David is often seen in scripture as singing or dancing or playing musical instruments, all the while praising the Lord. Music was so important to David that he established an official church choir to ensure it would always be included in the worship service.
Indeed, music of one form or another plays a huge role throughout our Holy Bible. The words sing, singing, singer(s), song, music, musical, and musician(s) appear in a combined 360 or so verses. It was even important to Jesus. In the Gospel as told by Matthew we read that after eating their last meal together, Jesus and His disciples, His friends, sang a hymn before heading out to the Mount of Olives (please see Matthew 26:30). David, Jesus, and many others that contributed to our body of scripture all felt music to be an indispensable component of worship, a feeling that strongly exists still today. Nothing in scripture mentions a particular type of music, so it shouldn't matter whether we include old-time gospel music, our favorite hymns, contemporary Christian praise songs, or some combination of all three, just as long as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Amen.
Dearest Lord, thank You for giving us music in our lives. Whether birdsong or angelic choirs, music has the ability to stir our very souls. May we offer music up to You in our worship without fretting over what type we prefer in our service. All music used in worship is pleasing unto You, O Lord. In the holy name of Jesus we lift our song of praise. Amen.
Note the use of the words "their office" in today's focus verses. These men were conferred an official status by the king for their service to God. This indicates just how important a part music played in the worship service. David and music go almost hand in hand. An accomplished musician, one of David's chief responsibilities serving under Saul was to calm the king by playing the harp for him. And David is often seen in scripture as singing or dancing or playing musical instruments, all the while praising the Lord. Music was so important to David that he established an official church choir to ensure it would always be included in the worship service.
Indeed, music of one form or another plays a huge role throughout our Holy Bible. The words sing, singing, singer(s), song, music, musical, and musician(s) appear in a combined 360 or so verses. It was even important to Jesus. In the Gospel as told by Matthew we read that after eating their last meal together, Jesus and His disciples, His friends, sang a hymn before heading out to the Mount of Olives (please see Matthew 26:30). David, Jesus, and many others that contributed to our body of scripture all felt music to be an indispensable component of worship, a feeling that strongly exists still today. Nothing in scripture mentions a particular type of music, so it shouldn't matter whether we include old-time gospel music, our favorite hymns, contemporary Christian praise songs, or some combination of all three, just as long as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Amen.
Dearest Lord, thank You for giving us music in our lives. Whether birdsong or angelic choirs, music has the ability to stir our very souls. May we offer music up to You in our worship without fretting over what type we prefer in our service. All music used in worship is pleasing unto You, O Lord. In the holy name of Jesus we lift our song of praise. Amen.
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