Expositor's Dictionary of Texts Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: Prophetic Music1 Chronicles 25:3 The singing of Jeduthun and his sons, accompanied as it was by the rich tones of the harp, is described as prophesying. They 'prophesied with a harp'. They made a revelation of Divine truth by music, vocal and instrumental. I. This is a Notable Form of Prophecy.—Prophecy may assume many forms; the uttered word, the written word, the symbolic action. But how impressive this particular form, communicating spiritual truth by song and harp! It is Spiritual. The Psalter is a magnificent illustration of such prophesying. In Isaiah's vision you discover the same method of setting forth theologic truth. The seraphic choir sang in sublime antiphony. This form of prophecy is historic. At our Saviour's birth the angel-choir 'prophesied'. The Gloria in excelsis was prophetic music. Beyond all telling glorious was that earliest Christmas carol which baptized with melody the plains of Bethlehem. II. This is an Appropriate Form of Prophecy.—Music, vocal or instrumental, or both, is a most suitable vehicle for Divine truth. Music is essentially religious. There are those who differentiate between sacred and secular music, but surely such distinction is factitious. All music is sacred. We may attach to it irreligious elements, but in essence it is Divine. Music transcends the Material. It is closely allied to the spiritual. It tints the eternal. It is itself a plea for the unseen. Music stirs imagination. Imagination is an ally of religious truth. It fosters faith. Music in appealing to the imagination justifies itself as a prophetic medium. Music suggests immortality. Music is one of the revealed attributes and pursuits of heaven. It points to other and grander spheres than the time-sphere. III. This is a Form of Prophecy which Serves Noble Spiritual Ends.—Music is a glorious means of expressing gratitude for God's good gifts. Praise is the homage of God's character. Praise revels in what God is and not alone what He bestows. Music is never more nobly engaged than when it is used to praise the Lord. IV. This is a Form of Prophecy which Demands Great Qualifications.—Training is needed. It should be spiritual as well as mental. They who lead the song of God's house need to be trained to be true prophets of God. Not easily is this spiritual qualification attained. Nothing worthy is easily won. But the Spirit Divine can make you such prophetic musicians as shall evoke God's good pleasure. —Dinsdale T. Young, Messages for Home and Life, p. 203. References.—XXV. 7.—F. Stanley Root, Christian World Pulpit, 1891, p. 168. Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:
The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve. Nicoll - Expositor's Dictionary of Texts Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub |
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