Sing of Our Commitment: David’s Song of Worship

By Jeremy Writebol

Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:1-43, Psalm 92:1-4

Some moments in life are worth commemorating through songs. In fact, we do it without even thinking about it. After a baby has made their first full trip around the sun, we sing a song of celebration, “Happy Birthday!” At many weddings I’ve officiated and attended (including my own), songs were sung to mark the occasion. History was often recorded in song and passed down to the next generation in epic poetry and verse. We show our solidarity and commitment to our sports teams by singing about their victories and championships (Chicago Cubs fans crave hearing “Go Cubs Go” after the conclusion of a game). Singing marks and measures our commitment. So what or who are we singing about?

When the ark of the covenant was recovered and returned to Jerusalem, you could imagine the celebration. The very symbol of God’s presence was back among His people. When I imagine being there on that day, observing and participating in the celebration, there are multitudes of things I think they could have been singing about. Songs about the great King David could ring out. Melodies about the adventure to get the ark back might be crafted. Anthems of the blessings of having the ark could be raised. So much could be sung.

But David desired and decreed that thanks be given to God, focusing on His “wondrous works” (1Chronicles 16:9). These songs directed the worshipers to full-hearted commitment to the Lord. It’s difficult to sing (and really mean it) “Boast in his holy name” (v.10, emphasis mine) or, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting” (v.36) if your heart really isn’t in it. The summons to “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” (v.11) is a call to giving your life in dedication to the Lord. A great thing happened in Israel that day. God did it, and God was the one to be praised.

Could you sing these songs and see the truth of them in your life? What has God done that you could never do that deserves a full-hearted, exuberant song of praise to Him? Have you seen how gracious God is that He gave His Son, the Lord Jesus, to rescue and restore you to Him? “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name” (Ps 92:1). Are you blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life because Jesus rescued you from your alienation and sin? Sing praise to the Lord. Has God given you hope, kept His promises, and enabled you to carry on today because you know He’s making all things new? Bless the Lord!

Whether in the big moments of triumph and victory or the ordinary daily events of our lives, God is there, and He is worthy of our praise. He has done great things, so let’s dedicate ourselves to Him, even today. “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” (1Chronicles 16:36) Amen.

Written by Jeremy Writebol