2 Chronicles 5:12-13 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brothers… I. THAT THE GLORY OF THE LORD BEGAN TO APPEAR WHEN THE ASSEMBLY WERE EMPLOYED IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING. Praise is the most acceptable service we can be engaged in: "Whoso offereth praise giorifieth Me." Prayer is an expression of our indigence and weakness. Thanksgiving expresseth our relish of the sweetness of benefits received; but praise rises above all selfish regards, and directly terminates on the greatness and amiableness of God Himself. The habitations of the blessed continually resound with the high praises of God. Did we praise God more, He would give us greater cause to praise Him. It is suggestive that the Lord's Prayer both begins and ends with adoration. II. THE SUBJECT OF PRAISE, WHICH GOD HONOURED WITH THIS TOKEN OF HIS ACCEPTANCE, WAS HIS OWN GOODNESS AND EVERLASTING MERCY. God is best pleased with our praises when we adore and celebrate those perfections of His nature which dispose Him to pity the miserable, and have the kindest aspect towards the children of men. III. THE SERIOUSNESS AND FERVOUR OF THIS DEVOUT ASSEMBLY. They devoted their whole strength and activity, as if they were ambitious to spend themselves in this heavenly employment. The devotion of the soul is the soul of devotion. IV. THE HARMONY AND UNANIMITY OF THESE ANCIENT WORSHIPPERS. "They were all as one, and made one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord" (Acts 2:1-2; Psalm 133:1.; Matthew 5:23, 24). (R. Walker.) Parallel Verses KJV: Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) |
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