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 31st
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.
