Some, I sense, view it as the “prelim’s” . . . as the “opening act” before the “headliner” . . . as the five minute warning that the conversation should be wrapped up or the coffee gulped down. For others it’s twenty or twenty-five or thirty minutes a week that are eagerly anticipated . . . a unique opportunity to come together with others of like mind and sing together with common voice. For some it’s just “the song service” which opens the meeting . . . for others it’s an offering . . . the fruit of their lips . . . a sacrifice of praise. For King David, it was a big deal!

I’m reading in 1Chronicles this morning. David has brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem . . . with precision, just as God had commanded it should be transported (15:15) . . . with pomp and pageantry (15:16) . . . and with lots and lots and lots of praise (15:28-29). To have the seat of God’s glory dwelling again in the midst of His people was something to be celebrated. To have the holiness of God resident was a reminder of His covenant with His people. To have the presence of God among them was a catalyst to rejoice in the fruit of His wondrous salvation.

After setting the ark inside the tent that David had pitched for it, David surrounds the ark with Levites specifically tasked to minister before the ark with music. Asaph & Co. are charged “to play harps and lyres . . . to sound cymbals . . . to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God” . . . they are to minister before the ark of the LORD, “to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel” . . . “that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD” (16:4-7). Kind of big deal. You sense that “when God’s in the house” it’s only fitting that the house be filled with worship.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before Him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.   
(1Chronicles 16:28-20 ESV)

Ascribe . . . come, set before the LORD . . . give an offering . . . provide to the LORD . . . the sound of music . . . the melodies of praise . . . the songs of worship.

Yeah, but that’s Old Testament. True, but check out what I also read in Colossians this morning . . .

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.   (Colossians 3:16 ESV)

It’s what believers should do when they come together . . . when two or three are gathered in His name and He is in their midst . . . when focus on God leads to thankfulness to God. If we are set on having the word of God dwell richly in us then we shouldn’t be surprised when a flash mob breaks out in the singing of spiritual songs . . . when hearts are moved to spontaneously combust in melodic declarations of God’s great salvation . . . when His people can’t help but ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name.

Far from a prelim it’s a privilege. Not just an optional part of the Sunday morning program but a call to acknowledge the person and work of the God of our salvation. An opportunity to step upon holy ground and worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. Our holiness, as we are robed in garments of righteousness provided through the blood of Christ and worn as we are in Him. His holiness . . . the essence of His character . . . the glory of His person.

Yeah, for King David it was a big deal. How about for me?