Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

As the preceding chapters related the regulation of the service of the Levites; this chapter is directed to inform the Reader of the appointment of the order of the singers in the temple service. They are also arranged by lot in the same number of four and twenty distinct orders.

1 Chronicles 25:1

Divine psalmody formed a large portion in the temple service. And hence we find the servants of the Lord calling upon others to this employment, by way also of exciting their own hearts to the celebration of Jehovah. Sing unto the Lord, sing psalms unto the Lord. With trumpets also and cymbals; show yourselves joyful before the Lord. Reader! under a gospel dispensation, how sweet is it to discover that those instruments are changed for the singing with grace in the heart. The phrase of prophesying with harps, and psalteries, and cymbals, seems to be meant to convey, that the words of the holy song were sometimes prophetical. Hence we find in the company of prophets Saul met at the hill of God, they were thus engaged. 1 Samuel 10:5. So the apostle Paul speaks of a psalm of prophecy. 1 Corinthians 14:26.

The whole of what is here said of the order in which they were placed, and of the method taken to prevent jealousies arising from the natural infirmity of the human heart, may serve to teach us that in all ages man hath been the same; all striving for pre-eminency. How blessed that sweet direction of Jesus, had we but grace to practice it: Whosoever will be great among you let him be your minister: and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant! (and observe, Reader, what follows by way of enforcing the precept:) even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28. Precious Jesus! in how sweet and endearing a manner dost thou recommend thy glorious example to thy people! Hence, dear Lord, we perceive that in all things, even in the humbleness of the lowest servitude, thou wilt have precedency. Thou condescendest to be servant of all in the very moment thou art Lord of all, on purpose to manifest thy love and thy grace to thy people. Lord! is it not enough to put pride to the blush, and to make every man out of love with himself, in the consciousness how little we know in what true greatness consists.

REFLECTIONS

MY soul! in beholding this goodly company of the singers in the temple, think of him whose praise they celebrated, and sing thy song of redemption also; for he hath called thee out of darkness into his marvellous light. The song they sung is the same as John heard the armies of Israel in heaven sing, and which, neither in heaven nor earth can any sing, but the redeemed. Reader! can you join the happy chorus? Are you of this temple service? Salvation is the joyful sound; and to the Lamb that was slain in the accomplishment of it is, the voice is directed in praise. Precious, precious Lord Jesus! let me daily, hourly, sing of thy love, shout loudly of thy mercy; and here, however faintly, poorly, and with a feeble voice, my notes express the unequalled blessing; still may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not thee and thy salvation above my chief joy. And wilt not thou, gracious Redeemer, since thou hast purchased me with a price so dear as thy blood, take me at length, when my song is ended upon earth, to sing it anew before thy throne of glory in heaven?