I was thinking the other day how important music is to worship and life. In the Old Testament there is often the command and example to sing, shout and dance before the Lord. There will be singing, praising and dancing in heaven as well.
One priority in the temple was music. Musicians were a part of the Levitic temple worship. In fact they were exempt from other tasks because “they were on duty day and night” (1 Chr 9:33). It is said of them:
“These are the men David put in charge of the music in the LORD’s temple after the ark came to rest there. They minister with song in front of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting...” 1 Chr 6:31-32).
Later on it says very clearly that their music was to be joyful:
“David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.”
God is the God of music. Song. And dance. The temple was to be a place of joyful worship. A place where people’s spirits were lifted even as they brought their sin offerings, guilt offerings and more. Joyful because while there is sorrow in contrition, there is joy in forgiveness. That and the goodness of God is made something more visible to celebrate.
So let’s worship with joy.
