Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 6
Listen!
Can you hear the music? David and all the house of Israel are rejoicing with
songs of celebration. The musical instruments are playing, the choir is leading
and the people are ringing out with songs of celebration before the Lord. It is
a happy and melodic moment.
They
have a lot to celebrate. David has just been inaugurated as Israel’s new king
and the Ark of the Covenant has just been re-captured from the Phillistines.
The crowds are returning to Jerusalem with great excitement and joy.
The
distinctly Hebrew music can be heard for miles. Singing, dancing, and praising
the Lord. Some of the instruments being played are mentioned in verse 5: the
lyre (a stringed instrument like a small U-shaped harp with strings fixed to a
crossbar); the harp (most likely a small lyre-shaped musical instrument held
between the teeth and struck with a finger); the tambourines (also called
“timbrel” – a percussion instrument resembling a shallow drum with small metal
disks in slots around the edge), castanets (a long handled instrument with
metal rings at the end); and cymbals (two metal plates attached to each hand of
and struck together to produce a great noise). Can you hear it? Can you feel
it? Oh, what joy!
If
we were able to step into the Old Testament period, we would find a culture
filled with music, where people used music in their daily lives. Both the Old
and New Testaments address music and strongly support its use in worship. The
extensive collection of actual songs found in the Old Testament indicates the
importance and value God places on creative musical expression. Music’s use in
worship in the church today is valuable and can honor God in a special way.
God's
people have always used music to express their innermost
feelings of praise for our God and Father. In Ephesians 5:18-19, we are
encouraged to incorporate music into our relationship with God, “Be filled
with the Spirit. Sing the words and tunes of the psalms and hymns when you are
together, and go on singing and chanting to the Lord in your hearts.” The Bible never says, let those who have
beautiful voices sing, as if natural talent were required to praise God. The
Bible just says “Sing!” Over and over, dozens of times, we are commanded to
sing: sing to the Lord, sing praises, sing joyfully, sing a new song. Come into
God’s presence with singing. Do it now.
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