Great Worship!

Sacrifices every fifteen feet! That’s a lot of sacrifices, even on a short journey. That was how King David brought the ark to Mount Zion. David danced half-naked while people shouted and priests blew trumpets.1 David was far from ashamed, he longed for God’s presence. It was time to celebrate and worship.

The Chronicler relished the details of temple worship. His pages are filled with tallies and descriptions. 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 records the temple consecration. King Solomon assembled the nation to cheer the procession of priests and participate in countless sacrifices. Priests placed the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies and then . . . several things happened—the Chronicler keeps us in suspense.

The priests came out, the Levitical choir sang, and musicians played in unison on cymbals and other instruments, including trumpets.2 The first praise song in the temple declared the Lord “is good, for His loving-kindness is everlasting.” Then “the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”

How do we evaluate worship? Does it depend on musical proficiency and catchy melodies? Surely only God can assess our worship. Does it honor and exalt Him? Does it declare His worth? The real mark of a great worship time is the glorious presence of God touching people with His power, love and truth.

Jesus sounded a warning in Matthew 6:2-4. The trumpet should never draw attention to us. Jesus mentioned religious hypocrites who advertised their almsgiving with trumpets to impress onlookers. They ignored the reward of the Father who sees what we do in secret. He should be the focus of our lives.

The trumpet is an instrument of worship.

  1. Shofar in 2 Sam. 6:12-19, khatsotsrah in 1 Chronicles 15:25-29. []
  2. Psalm 98:5-6 uses khatsotsrah and mentions the horn too. Psalm 150:3 has shofar. []

2 thoughts on “Great Worship!

    1. John Avery Post author

      Thanks for the comment. I would appreciate you sharing the website with others who might be blessed.

      Reply

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