~Brittany
Matthew Henry’s Commentary Notes on 1 Chronicles
25:1-7:
Observe, I.
Singing the praises of God is here called prophesying (1Ch_25:1-3),
not that all those who were employed in this service were honoured with the
visions of God, or could foretel things to come. Heman indeed is said to be the
king's seer in the words of God (1Ch_25:5); but the psalms they
sang were composed by the prophets, and many of them were prophetical; and the
edification of the church was intended in it, as well as the glory of God. In
Samuel's time singing the praises of God went by the name of prophesying
(1Sa_10:5; 1Sa_19:20), and perhaps that is intended in what St. Paul calls prophesying, 1Co_11:4; 1Co_14:24.
II. This is here called a service, and the
persons employed in it workmen, 1Ch_25:1. Not but that it is the
greatest liberty and pleasure to be employed in praising God: what is heaven
but that? But it intimates that it is our duty to make a business of it, and
stir up all that is within us to it; and that, in our present state of
corruption and infirmity, it will not be done as it should be done without
labour and struggle. We must take pains with our hearts to bring them, and keep
them, to this work, and to engage all that is within us.
III. Here were, in compliance with the temper of
that dispensation, a great variety of musical instruments used, harps,
psalteries, cymbals (1Ch_25:1, 1Ch_25:6), and here was one
that lifted up the horn (1Ch_25:5), that is, used wind-music. The
bringing of such concerts of music into the worship of God now is what none
pretend to. But those who use such concerts for their own entertainment should
feel themselves obliged to preserve them always free from any thing that
savours of immorality or profaneness, by this consideration, that time was when
they were sacred; and then those were justly condemned who brought them
into common use, Amo_6:5. They invented to themselves instruments of
music like David.
IV. The glory and honour of God were principally
intended in all this temple-music, whether vocal or instrumental. It was to
give thanks, and praise the Lord, that the singers were employed, 1Ch_25:3.
It was in the songs of the Lord that they were instructed (1Ch_25:7),
that is, for songs in the house of the Lord, 1Ch_25:6. This
agrees with the intention of the perpetuating of psalmody in the gospel-church,
which is to make melody with the heart, in conjunction with the voice, unto
the Lord, Eph_5:19.
This good work of singing God's praises Samuel
revived, and set on foot, but lived not to see it brought to the perfection it
appears in here. Solomon perfects what David began, so David perfects what
Samuel began. Let all, in their day, do what they can for God and his church,
though they cannot carry it so far as they would; when they are gone God can
out of stones raise up others who shall build upon their foundation and bring
forth the top-stone.
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