Worship in the High Places!

Living in the High Place: Worship in Difficult times

To worship is to “honor with extravagant love and extreme submission” [Webster's]. Many of us find it difficult to be extravagant when our world is 'extra-violent'. There is a clue to finding this High Worship by going to the 'High Places' as described in the last verse of the prophet Habbakuk.

[KJV] Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

But translation of this verse has brought out different aspects:

[Jubilee] Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and upon my high places he will cause me to walk victorious in my instruments of music.

[Brenton] ab 3:19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will perfectly strengthen my feet; he mounts me upon high places, that I may conquer by his song.

The term that seems oddly out of place for a prophetic passage is “Chief Singer” which is more commonly used in the introduction to a Psalm. Hence other translations have made it a verbal phrase where the original phrase appears to belong at the beginning of a Psalm [eg. Psa 140:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] Who is this Chief Singer or Musician? Can we find him in our modern worship?

Chief Singer [H5329] nâtsach - A primitive root; properly to glitter from afar, that is, to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent: - excel, chief musician (singer), oversee (-r), set forward. 65 Occurrences

BDB Definition:

1) to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring

1a) (Niphal) enduring (participle)

1b) (Piel) to act as overseer or superintendent or director or chief

So if we are called to lead worship, we must have our goal as the high places where we commune with God. Not Performance but Passion. Those who understood this concept of worship will be those who Climb to the Heavenlies thru Worship.

So these nâtsach are called to be 'Shining Leaders with the Highest Goal'

>>How will you develop this trait in your own leadership? Let us look at first some examples of the nâtsach of the OT.

55 Psalms are addressed to the Chief Musician. They were composed for this 'Shining Leader'. That is more than 1/3 of the Psalms! And the nature of these psalms reflects a moment or a season in the life of the people. They had Purpose in the Psalmody, not just whenever they felt like Performing them but as they touched a specific need in the people.

When my spiritual mother, Fern Duthie, was going on to her place in the heavenly choir, the Lord comforted me with Psalm 91. In that moment I had all I needed and strength to continue the other challenges I was facing in my seminary studies. I felt as is Fern had now joined that heavenly choir and they 'sang this Psalm' into my heart... and the darkness of my grief was dispelled.

What Psalm will you need the Choir in the Highest place to sing into your spirit today? What Psalm has already brought you comfort in a dark time?

Psa_4:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Psa_8:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Or these Psalms from a Discouraged Soul...

Psa_12:1 To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Psa_13:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

These Psalms can heal a wounded soul and lift a broken spirit to its Heavenly Dwelling place...'like a bird to God's mountain' Ps 11:1

Now some of these are Declarations of God's Victory in the midst of Overwhelming situations. An excellent example is Psalm 18.

Psa 18:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
This is a Psalm 'of' David and it is very specific about the event that inspired the psalm. If you asked David to describe his relationship with Saul, he would reply “It's complicated”. On one hand, Saul was David's king and he had brought him into his court, he was closer than a brother to the heir apparent Johnathan, yet God had singled him out from all his more successful brothers to be the next king, and indeed the True King of Israel with a Perpetual Throne and an Eternal Name. 2Sa 7:11-16 is the Covenant to David, fulfilled in Jesus [see Luke 1:31-33]. Indeed this is confirmed by the first Apostolic leader of the New Covenant: Peter.
[EBC commentary on 2 Sam 7] “In the Divine mind the prophecy reached forward to the time of Christ, and only in Christ was it fully verified. And it seems plain from some words of St. Peter on the day of Pentecost that David understood this. He knew that "God had sworn to him that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh. He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne" (Act_2:30).
Coming back to these Psalms, we must 'hear them with our spirit' as they Define our Destiny. How can they speak to our spirit and we sing them out in our worship? Can we see David' life through prophetic eyes?
Let us give some examples from the latter part of David's life, though faced with challenges in his life on earth, his mind was on the Eternal Destiny defined in that Covenant. Indeed he had established his throne and his heart was considering his legacy. Though David had been declared king by Samuel [see 1Sa 16:13] it would be over 11 years, and much difficult wandering before he was established in Jerusalem. One of his first acts as king was to establish worship in the Tabernacle which he had restored to Jerusalem.
After he had established the Worship of the Tabernacle several of these Psalms were assigned to the 'sons of Korah' one of three Chief Musicians. Some are called Maschil, that is, instruction as Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psa_42:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
- Compares our yearning for God with a deer.

Psa_44:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

- Instructs God's people from their history.

Psa_45:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. >> the Teacher shares what he has learned... particularly of the Love of the Father.

Psa_46:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

- Instructing God's People of His attribute of Protection.

Psa_47:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

- Ps 47 is not saying 'Clap your hands' to make religious noise but 'Clap your hands' to declare God's victory. We are instructed thru God's Divine Activity among the people... esp in times of conflict.

Psa_49:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

Ps 49 is not saying 'Hear this' so I can perform well but 'Hear this' so that you may instructed by the Holy Spirit.

Now we need to look at another term in many of these psalms: “Neginoth” [from Easton's Dictionary] songs with instrumental accompaniment, found in the titles of Psa_4:1-8; Psa_6:1-10; Psa_54:1-7; 55; Psa_67:1-7; Psa_76:1-12; rendered “stringed instruments,” Hab_3:19, A.V. It denotes all kinds of stringed instruments, as the “harp,” “psaltery,” “viol,” etc. The “chief musician on Neginoth” is the leader of that part of the temple choir which played on stringed instruments.
Such a variety of instructions and instruments reminds us of the many styles of worship we see today. And today we identify certain well known leaders with specific styles or eras [compare Andrae Crouch with Hillsong]. In the same way, there were distinct styles in the Psalmody.
Let us look at several Psalms ascribed specifically for one of three choirs that lead worship continuously in David's Tabernacle.
1) Asaph - A Levite, son of Berachiah; one of David's choir leaders (1Ch_6:39). An inspired seer, as well as a composer of music (2Ch_29:30; Neh_12:46). "The sons of Asaph" were poets and musical composers of the school founded by him; as Heman and Jeduthun also were heads of schools of sacred inspired music. 1Ch_25:1; 2Ch_20:14; Ezr_2:41; Psalm 50; 73-83, are all attributed to his authorship; but 83, celebrates the victory of Jehoshaphat long after Asaph's time, therefore "Asaph" in this psalm's title must mean "one of the school of Asaph."
Psa_75:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
-Asaph was also a 'Seer' Prophet. His name means 'gatherer of the people'.

Psa_76:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. In Judah ['praise'] is God known: his name is great in Israel. - here Judah is an action not a place!

Psa_80:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, a) thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; b)thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

- Asaph was 'called to call' the people of God so that they would gather at the Temple.

-In the 90's there was a movement called March for Jesus. One of the Anthemns that seemed to define these gatherings was “Shine Jesus Shine”

Psa_81:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. -Africans need NO encouragement in making 'a joyful noise'! I discovered this as I was part of a Baptism on the shores of Lake Kyagga, Uganda.

Now let us look at a second style of worship

2) JEDUTHUN WAS A PRAISE LEADER! DECLARING THE INTERACTION OF GOD AND PEOPLE. He gave voice to the cries of the people.

Psa 39:1 (A psalm by David for Jeduthun, the music leader.) I told myself, "I'll be careful not to sin by what I say, and I'll muzzle my mouth when evil people are near."

2 I kept completely silent, but it did no good, and I hurt even worse. 3 I felt a fire burning inside, and the more I thought, the more it burned, until at last I said: 4 "Please, LORD, show me my future. Will I soon be gone?

Psa 62:1 (A psalm by David for Jeduthun, the music leader.) Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for him. 2 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure.

Psa_77:1 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

• ''Praise' is defined as singing 'about' God. After Asaph had gathered the People, Jeduthun would declare to others about his communion with God.
• Jeduthun -Lauder (to Laud is an old English word meaning praise, in Swahili we use the word 'asifiwe' inf. 'tumsifu'); the name means: “The Praiser!”,
• a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three masters of music appointed by David (1Ch_16:41, 1Ch_16:42; 1Ch_25:1-6).
• He is called in 2Ch_35:15 “the king's seer.”
• His descendants are mentioned as singers and players on instruments (Neh_11:17).
• He was probably the same as Ethan (1Ch_15:17, 1Ch_15:19). In the superscriptions to Psa_39:1-13, Psa_62:1-12, and 77, the words “upon Jeduthun” probably denote a musical instrument; or they may denote the style or tune invented or introduced by Jeduthun, or that the psalm was to be sung by his choir.
• JEDITTHUN; ("who gives praises".) 1Ch_16:38; Psalm 39, 62, 77, titles, implying that these psalms were to be sung by Jeduthun's choir;
• Neh_11:17. Jeduthun presided over a choir under David. "The sons of Jeduthun" had the office to "prophesy with the harp, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord" (1Ch_25:1; 1Ch_25:3).
• He was a Merarite Levite, along with the Kohathite Heman and the Gershonite Asaph directed "praising the Lord with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith" (1Ch_23:5-6).
• These three clans also have specific roles in moving the Tabernacle and all its items across the wilderness.
• Identical with Ethan the Merarite (1Ch_6:44; 1Ch_15:17; 1Ch_15:19); for as there was one Kohathite and one Gershonite, head of musicians, so there would be only one Merarite head.

Now let us move to the third worship leader.

3) HEMAN – Also a Seer but having a particular anointing to help the people experience the Shekinah.

Psa_88:1 A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

Heman hē´man (הימן, hēmān, “faithful”): This style can be shown in these two psalms. They are directed to God, not just about God. This is the very definition of worship.

[Jubilee] Psa 88:1 (A song and a psalm by the people of Korah for the music leader. To the tune "Mahalath Leannoth." A special psalm by Heman the Ezrahite.) You keep me safe, LORD God. So when I pray at night, Psa 88:2 please listen carefully to each of my concerns. 3 I am deeply troubled and close to death; 4 I am as good as dead and completely helpless.

Psa 89:1 (A special psalm by Ethan the Ezrahite.) Our LORD, I will sing of your love forever. Everyone yet to be born will hear me praise your faithfulness. 2 I will tell them, "God's love can always be trusted, and his faithfulness lasts as long as the heavens." 3 You said, "David, my servant, is my chosen one, and this is the agreement I made with him: 4 David, one of your descendants will always be king."

Heman was musician and seer, a Levite, son of Joel and grandson of the prophet Samuel; of the family of the Kohathites (1Ch_6:33), appointed by David as one of the leaders of the temple-singing (1Ch_15:17; 2Ch_5:12). He had 14 sons (and 3 daughters) who assisted their father in the chorus. Heman seems also to have been a man of spiritual power; is called “the king's seer in matters of God” (1Ch_25:5; 2Ch_35:15).

1Ch_16:41 Heman and Jeduthun were their assistants, as well as the other men who had been chosen to praise the LORD for his never-ending love. 42 Heman and Jeduthun were also responsible for blowing the trumpets, and for playing the cymbals and other instruments during worship at the tent. The Levites in Jeduthun's clan were the guards at Gibeon.

1Ch_25:1 David and the temple officials chose the descendants of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to be in charge of music. They were to praise the LORD by playing cymbals, harps and other stringed instruments. Here is a list of the musicians and their duties:..4 Heman had fourteen sons [!!!]

1Ch_25:5 Heman was one of the king's prophets, and God honored Heman by giving him fourteen sons and three daughters.

1Ch_25:6 His sons were under his direction and played cymbals, harps, and other stringed instruments during times of worship at the temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman took their orders directly from the king.

They were the Worship Team!

2Ch_5:11 The priests of every group had gone through the ceremony to make themselves clean and acceptable to the LORD. The Levitical musicians, including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives, were wearing robes of fine linen. They were standing on the east side of the altar, playing cymbals, small harps, and other stringed instruments. One hundred twenty priests were with these musicians, and they were blowing trumpets. They were praising the LORD by playing music and singing: "The LORD is good, and his love never ends." Suddenly a cloud filled the temple as the priests were leaving the holy place.

Oh that we would have such 'exclamations of worship'. Worship that is Ordered for the Presence of God!! Statements that need an exclamation mark!!

Psa_84:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

Psa_85:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. - tabernacles (nb plural) for

God 'dwells' anywhere not just the church. To quote my mentor in Worship, a modern day Asaph, as he looked up at a beautiful starry sky; 'I wish I could capture what I see with my eyes, and what is overflowing in my heart' [May 31^st 2011, his first trip to East Africa]. This is the yearning of the SEER!!

Finally, a verse that my mentor David Hinds, revealed to me my purpose for this season, and many seasons to come.
Amo 9:11 In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen and close up its breaches; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
Note that in the Revival under Hezekiah, this king 'in the line of King David' restored the three choirs with descendants of the SAME Chief Musicians!
2Ch 29:12 When Hezekiah finished talking, the following Levite leaders went to work: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohath clan; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merari clan; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershon clan; Shimri and Jeuel from the Elizaphan clan; Zechariah and Mattaniah from the Asaph clan; Jehuel and Shimei from the Heman clan; Shemaiah and Uzziel from the Jeduthun clan.




God is restoring not just worship but a pattern that releases a covenant anointing on those who seek him.... BUT that is a teaching for another day.