“And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.” (1Chronicles 9:33)
It was during David’s reign that he established singers for worship to be continual day and night in the tabernacle. (1Chronicles 15:9-22) They were taught in singing and in music and took their turns worshipping with song and instruments. (1Chronicles 16:4-6) For four thousand Levites, this was their only work. “Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand. Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges: Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.” (1Chronicles 23:3-5)
In trying to understand why David was motivated to do this, I found no Scripture where God commanded David to do this. David was a psalmist who wrote most of the psalms and who put them to music or gave to his chief musician Asaph to put into music. David was a worshipper. He experienced God’s presence when he worshipped. “But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalms 22:3) David sees how God’s glory is revealed day and night without ceasing in His creation. “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Psalms19:1-3) This revelation births his zeal to have worship continually day and night. When he becomes king, he establishes continual worship day and night bringing God’s presence in Israel. He wanted to build a temple for God, but because he was a warrior, he was not allowed to do so, but the honor went to his son Solomon. David organized and established worship that pleased God.
It is David’s tabernacle that will be revived in the end times. Amos prophesied about it. “In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.” (Amos 9:11-12) Jesus Himself declared about it when speaking of His return. “And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord, Who doeth all these things.” (Acts 15:15-17)
When Jesus returns, He will restore all things. Luke writes in Acts exhorting the people to repent because Jesus will return to restore all things. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21)
Praise and worship are essential in our gatherings, formally in the church and informally in small groups. It’s essential in our private time with Him because it’s in praise and worship where we come to know the Lord. “A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalms 100:1-3) Our praise and worship bring the Lord on the scene, in any situation and in any place. He reveals Himself, His authority, His love, His mercy, His salvation, His peace, His help, His wisdom, knowledge and understanding and His power. Whatever it is that you need, He will provide it. Whatever you don’t understand, He will bring knowledge and wisdom to it. Whatever is hurting, He will heal. Whatever is lacking, He will provide. All this happens in praise and worship.
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