After the failure of trying to bring the Ark to Jerusalem in chapter 13, and the death of Uzzah, in chapter 15-16 of 1 Chronicles we see the ark again being brought to Jerusalem. The incident with Uzzah teaches us the danger of worship of God not informed by revelation from God. This time things happen “according to the word of the LORD.” (15:15)
But we should see that doing things “according to the word of the LORD” doesn’t mean being dry, or dull or boring:
“David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.” (15:16) “So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.” (15:28) David famously celebrated and danced before the ark as it entered Jerusalem! (15:29)
The presence of God amongst his people is a cause for celebration and rejoicing – and the people really went for it! Imagine the noise of all the trumpets, horns, lyres, cymbals, not to mention all of Israel shouting! David had the temple singers sing a song recorded in Ch16, made up of parts of several psalms, which praises God for all he has done for the people. Indeed, this song commanded and motivated the people to praise God, by reminding them of what God had done for them. Theology is not meant to be confined to books in a library – the deeds and character of our great God are to be sung and shouted and delighted in!
When Mary realised her son was the Messiah, she sang! (Luke 1:46-45). When the birth of our saviour was announced to the shepherds, angels sang! (Luke 2:13-14). As Richard Pratt puts it “In many respects, the first coming of Christ’s Kingdom was a musical event.” [HT to him in his commentary on Chronicles for much of the insights here!]
Song is a right and natural response to all God’s goodness. In many ways, song is where all history is heading. One day we will join the living creatures, the angels and the elders, as they sing songs round the throne of the lamb! (Rev 4-5) One day not just Jewish people, not just a few nations, but all peoples will sing praise to God! (Rom 15:11) Songs are declarative – they tell of God’s acts and his character; they are emotional – not just our heads but our hearts are involved in devotion to God; they are pedagogical – we remember what we sing, and meditate on it. As the 17th century Scottish writer Andrew Fletcher said: "Let me write the songs of a nation and I care not who writes its laws.” Singing isn’t an optional extra for Christians – it is part of who we are, and it is part of who God is that we should sing to him.
One of my favourite contemporary Christian songs captures so much of this I think it worth quoting in full:
1. Come hear the angels sing:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain”
Gathering ‘round the throne
“Hail the Son of Man, hail the Son of Man”
Not for their sin he died
It was no angel crucified
And yet they hold him in their sight
And live to praise their Lord!
2. Come hear the elders sing
As they fall in praise to the Lamb
Bowing before the throne
Laying down their crowns,
laying down their crowns
They praise him for his blood
With which he purchased men for God
They praise the Saviour of the world
The Lamb, he is their Lord!
Hear the heavens shout:
“Worthy is the Lamb”
All creation bows
Giving glory to the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
3. What is the song we’ll sing
As we join in heaven with our God?
A people from every land
Crowding round the Lamb, crowding round the Lamb
We’ll sing salvation’s song
How many million voices strong!
We’ll sing the glory of our King,
Of Jesus Christ our Lord!
© 2006 Michael Morrow
[For my own efforts in this area see my other blog: http://www.mostlydavid.blogspot.com/]
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