They finally got ‘er done. The first attempt at transporting the ark to a home in Jerusalem had gone very badly . . . one dead . . . many distraught . . . the king disillusioned (2Samuel 6:1-11). But David figured it out. They had been careless . . . they hadn’t ensured that the right people transported the ark in the right way . . . they had been careless with God’s ways and God’s word. But not this time (1Chronicles 15). This time they nailed it! Hundreds of consecrated Levites present to accompany the place where the glory dwells in a manner befitting the glory of God. Nothing common place about this moving plan. And surrounding the “carrying Levites,” King David assigned the singing and instrument-playing Levites. The entry of the ark into Jerusalem was to be a joyous occasion . . . there would be dancing and celebrating as the horns blared, the cymbals clanged, the lyres were strummed, and the Levites sang. And all the people would say, “Amen!”

1Chronicles 16 is the “hidden psalm.” Every time I stumble upon it in my reading plan I’m pleasantly surprised . . . and, as I recall from past encounters, wonderfully blessed. This is David at his best . . . David the undisputed king of all Israel . . . a man after God’s own heart . . . a worshipper in truth and spirit. So, after ensuring the ark is settled on God’s holy mount . . . after offering to God the offerings befitting His holy Name . . . after blessing the people who had been present for the ark’s return . . . David the worshipper then appoints “some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel” (1Chron. 16:1-4).

And then he writes them a song to sing (16:8-36a) . . . my “hidden psalm” . . . a song of thanksgiving. It’s a call to the people of God to glory in His name . . . for those who hearts seek Him, to rejoice. “Seek His presence continually” the lyrics exhort . . . remember His promises . . . recall His faithful protection. Sing to the LORD . . . tell of His salvation every day . . . declare His marvelous works among the people . . . for “great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised!” Ascribe to LORD glory and strength . . . give Him the glory due His Name . . . worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

And the song goes on . . . and the spirit rises . . . and the soul soars . . .

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.
.                                                                (1Chronicles 16:36b ESV)

Amen . . . what an overused yet under-utilized word. We use it like punctuation to end a prayer. We’ll attach such ascent to almost anything. But this morning, as I accompanied the ark into Jerusalem with the rest of God’s people . . . as I took in the cacophony of praise and worship . . . as I digested the words of the song David wrote for the occasion . . . I was ready to participate . . . ready to join in . . . ready to add my voice to the sounds of praise . . . then all the people said, “Amen!”

Me too!

God is good . . . amen! His works are wondrous . . . truly! His promises are sure . . . verily! He is to be worshipped in splendor and holiness . . . so be it. There is no God like our God . . . that’s the truth!

A simple, two-syllable word . . . but a word, I imagine, which brings my God pleasure when it is spoken thoughtfully . . . when it is uttered heartily . . . when it is offered in the context of extolling the greatness of our God . . . when it is sounded forth as part of the giving of thanks and praise.

O’ that all God’s people would say, “Amen!” . . . by His all enabling grace . . . for His all surpassing glory!

Amen?