Day 358.
And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king’s seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets. The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. (2 Chronicles 29:25-30 ESV)
Hezekiah restores worship in the temple when he becomes king, after years of neglect and abandonment. In its inaugural service we are presented with such a helpful view of worship. They are to bring out “cymbals, harps, and lyres” according to King David’s psalms, as well as trumpets. They sing songs of praise with gladness and bow down and worship. I think many today want associate worship with somberness. But cymbals and trumpets can hardly produce a somber setting. David also instructed the congregation repeatedly to clap and shout for joy. He himself danced in a way that seemed undignified before others. When Moses told Pharaoh to let them go so that they might worship, he described it as a festival in the desert. This is not irreverent as some might conclude. On the contrary, it is most appropriate because we do not approach God with fear of wrath, but joy in our forgiveness. How could we approach God with somberness after what He has done to win our salvation for us?
What comes to your mind when you think about corporate worship?
Ask the Lord to fuel your passion for him through His gospel.
McCheyne’s reading plan: 2 Ch 29, Re 15, Zech 11, Ps 142
We think of singing. We will ask God to help us worship Him with all of ourselves and to stopnworrying about what others think.