AFTER GOD S HEART: PRAYING AND SINGING WITH DAVID GLOBAL PRAYER INSTITUTE MATT CANDLER The Worship of David: Centrality, Purpose, and Power of Singing the Word I. OVERVIEW A. Introduction and Significance of the Tabernacle of David B. The Tabernacle of David C. The Home of Music D. The Centrality of Singing to the Lord E. 7 Benefits of Singing the Bible II. INTRODUCTION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID 1 LORD, remember David And all his afflictions; 2 How he swore to the LORD, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: 3 Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, Or go up to the comfort of my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes Or slumber to my eyelids, 5 Until I find a place for the LORD, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob. (Ps 132:1 5) A. The tabernacle of David was a tent that King David pitched on Mount Zion to house the Ark of the Covenant. David s first act as the king of Israel was to restore the Ark of the Covenant to its place of national prominence in the worship of Israel (2 Sam. 6). However, David did not merely continue the sacrificial worship instituted by Moses, he instituted a liturgical revolution. B. The New Testament locates the origin and impetus of musical worship back to what David implemented in his generation. As the New Testament affirms the fundamental function and purpose of the priesthood never changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament. We have been commanded to minister to the LORD with the sacrifice of praise, just like David commanded to be offered on Mount Zion and later in the Solomon s Temple. 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Pe 2:5, 9) 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Heb 13:15, NKJV) C. David s musical innovation in the worship of Israel was widespread in its significance. Through song, David discipled a nation in the word of God, and the legacy of his discipleship lives on to this very day in the book of Psalms. Since the Bible is the most printed and read book in all of human history, it is also true that the Psalms are the most known songs in all of human history.
Matthew Candler Page 2 III. THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID A. David s first act as king was to bring up the displaced ark of the Covenant to Mount Zion. David placed singing musicians to minister to the Lord before the ark. As 1 Chronicles 16 makes clear, the tent that David pitched for the Ark of the Covenant was not the same tent that Moses constructed. The tabernacle of Moses continued to function at Gibeon during the days of David until Solomon brought both the Ark and Moses entire tabernacle to the Temple (1 Kings 8; 2 Chron. 5). 4 Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. (2 Ch 1:4, NIV84) 37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day s requirements. 38 He also left Obed-Edom and his sixtyeight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers. 39 David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon 40 to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever. 42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate. (1 Ch 16:37 42, NIV84) B. In the books of Chronicles, David is portrayed as a new Moses shaping, organizing and implementing worship by the command of the LORD. 19 "All this," said David, "the LORD made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the details of this pattern." (I Chr 28:19) 14 And, according to the order of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, the Levites for their duties (to praise and serve before the priests) as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate; for so David the man of God had commanded. (2 Ch 8:14, NKJV) 25 And he (Hezekiah) stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the COMMAND OF THE LORD by his prophets. 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. (2 Ch 29:25 28, NKJV) 14 And, according to the order of David his father, he (Solomon) appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, the Levites for their duties (to praise and serve before the priests) as
Matthew Candler Page 3 the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate; for so David the man of God had commanded. (2 Ch 8:14, NKJV) C. David created a single worship service separated geographically between Gibeon and Jerusalem, yet coordinated to coincide with the daily burnt offerings. David coordinated the blowing of the trumpets, the musical liturgy, and the presentation of the burnt offering (at Gibeon). 1. Gibeon: Zadok (high priest) offered the daily sacrifice to the accompaniment of the music of the guilds of Heman and Jeduthan at Gibeon. 2. Jerusalem: the priests with their trumpets and the Asaphite musicians praised the LORD in Jerusalem. D. Before the Ark: Arguably, the most dramatic reality about David s tabernacle was that David and those who ministered in song did so before the ark. This critical phrase is only used of the High Priest on the Day of Atonement when he sprinkled blood on the ark, and even then he is never described as ministering (Lev. 16). Never before and never again would Old Covenant Israel worship before the ark. Comparison Chart of the Worship of Israel Tab. of Moses (pre-gibeon) Tab. of David Temple of Solomon Location Gibeon (7 miles NW of Zion) Zion Moriah Leadership Priesthood Levites Priesthood Sacrifices Blood Sacrifices for Sin Sacrifices of Praise Blood/Praise Tent Divided Undivided Divided Ark Veiled Unveiled Veiled Ark Access High Priest only 1x/yr Perpetually by David/others High Priest only 1x/yr Ministered before the ark Participants Jews Jew & Gentile Jew & Gentile Sound/Mood Sober: animals; silent priests, trumpets Joyful & Musical Combined
Matthew Candler Page 4 E. All of the Davidic kings of Israel were evaluated based upon their implementation and maintenance of David s order of worship. 1. David s Tabernacle: ~1003 B.C. 960 B.C. 2. Solomon s Temple: Beginning Approximately 960 B.C 3. Jehoshaphat (~ 870 B.C.): 2 Chronicles 20:14-30 4. Hezekiah (~ 725 B.C.): 2 Chronicles 29:25-30 5. Josiah (~ 628 B.C.): 2 Chronicles 35:1-19 F. As we already mentioned, David s musical innovation had widespread global ramifications shaping the worship of the people of God to this very day. G. One of the most astonishing truths about David s institution of worship was his implementation of four-thousand singer-musicians specifically consecrated for Temple-service. This is roughly analogous to providing an ensemble larger than the premier symphonies in the forty most populous cities of America combined, for a territory roughly the size of a small state. H. Summary: 1. Like Moses, David received divine revelation concerning worship for Israel. 2. The Levites and Gentile(s) ministered with music before the ark, with no veil. 3. By implication and New Testament confirmation, the reason why the LORD instituted praise was because it was patterned after how He is ministered to in the Heavenly Temple. The LORD desired music at the center of Israel s worship precisely because it is at the center of worship in His Temple (Rev. 4-5, 7, 11, and 15). IV. THE HOME OF MUSIC HEAVEN A. Christian Rosetti, a poet of the 19the century, said Heaven is revealed to earth as the homeland of music. 1 1 I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory! (Is 6:1 3) 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to 1 Quoted in the article by David MacLeod, The Adoration of God the Creator: An Exposition of Revelation 4, Bibliotheca Sacra 164 (April-June 2007), 198.
Matthew Candler Page 5 Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created. (Re 4:1-2, 8 11) Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song (Revelation 5:8) B. In heaven, the name of the Father and Son is hallowed with music (i.e. seen and known as holy) 1. Isa 6:3: Holy, Holy, Holy is Jesus (as John 12:41 clarifies, Isa 6:3 concerns Jesus). 2. Rev 4:8: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Father. 3. Holy = Absolute Unique, Matchless, Incomparable Greatness, Exclusively Rare 4. Glory = Manifest Display of God s Holiness C. What does it say about the heart of God that He desires to have His governmental sanctuary filled with the melodies of His matchlessness? Of all of the activities He could have commissioned the creatures, elders, angels, and saints to do, He creates them and commands them to sing and play. D. Whatever is nearest to the throne of God magnifies its importance. The LORD is not casual about what takes place in His Temple, and the Bible clearly indicates the prominence of songs and instruments near His Throne. This is not merely a trite detail, but a revelatory fact interned to bear down upon our hearts. E. The LORD is the Author of music and enjoys music. 17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zep 3:17) 12 saying: I (Jesus) will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You. (Heb 2:12, NKJV) F. Since we are created in His image, we also have the capacity to make and enjoy music. This is why we ought to seek to include music in our worship, because we were made for it and because He desires it. Humanity is moved by the power of music, not because of a flaw in our nature due to sin, but because of being fashioned like our Creator.
Matthew Candler Page 6 G. In heaven, the hallowing of the Father and Son in worship is universal, exclusive, and continual. Worship is simply the adoring response to the glory of who He is. The glorious greatness of who God is and what He does demands a response in worship commensurate to His greatness. In heaven, the worship is expressed musically, antiphonally, and intercessory in fashion, not surprisingly, exactly how David commanded it in his day! V. THE CENTRALIYT OF SINGING TO THE LORD A. Singing and music are not peripheral subjects in the word of God. They are at the center of God s glory (Isa. 42:8-10; Ps. 150:2; Ps. 145:3), throne (Rev. 4-5), and purpose (Isa. 42:8-13; Mal. 1:11; Rev. 5:10). The Bible contains over 400 references to singing and 50 direct commands to sing. 1. Center of God s Glory (Isa. 42:8-10; Ps. 150:2; Ps. 145:3): The Lord is the Author of music. 8 I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them. 10 Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them! (Is 42:8 10) 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! (Ps 150:2) 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. (Ps 145:3) 17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zep 3:17) 12 saying: I (Jesus) will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You. (Heb 2:12, NKJV) 2. Center of God s Throne (see previous section The Home of Music) 3. Center of God s Purpose (Isa. 42:8-13; Mal. 1:11; Eph. 1:6,12,14; Rev. 5:10) B. Moreover, the book of Psalms proclaims the centrality of singing and worship in the Word of God, and their effect. VI. 7 BENEFITS OF SINGING THE BIBLE The corporate and individual benefits of incorporating music and singing into worship are numerous. A. #1 Greater Reach: by singing our prayers there is an overall greater reach toward God.
Matthew Candler Page 7 B. #2 Greater Focus: our mind and heart are slow down when we sing. C. #3 Greater Feeling: music and song opens our hearts to feel more when we sing. D. #4 Greater Remembrance: Retention Factor Increases E. #5 Song Instructs 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING and MAKING MELODY in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. (Eph 5:17 21) 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col 3:16) F. #6 Strengthens the Persecuted 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Ac 16:25) G. #7 Invokes the Presence of the LORD: 1. Solomon s Temple a. Singing Invokes God s Presence 11 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place 12 and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; 13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in UNISON in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever, the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a CLOUD, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.(2 Ch 5:11 14, ESV) b. Singing Responds to God s Presence 1 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD s house. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the FIRE come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (2 Ch 7:1 3, ESV)
Matthew Candler Page 8 2. Luke Acts: Jesus s words in Luke 24, and Acts 1, with the result of the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. 50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. (Lk 24:49 53) 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with ONE ACCORD in one place (compare 2 Chron. 5:13) 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind (like unto the pillar of cloud), and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire (like unto that which consumed the sacrifice), and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Ac 2:1 4) 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. (Eph 5:18 21) 3. Paul s admonition in Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:16 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Eph. 5:18-20) 4. The LORD Jesus comes in response to His Presence invoked by global song 10 Sing to the LORD a new (exodus) song, And His praise from the ends of the earth 13 The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. (Is 42:10 13, NKJV) 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.(re 22:17, NKJV)