Insights & Information

One Voice

It’s obvious in scripture that singing and music are a vital element of our worship to God, individually and corporately as a church. The choir has been an integral part of worship for thousands of years, as evidenced from scripture. Consider these three occasions.

First, in the book of 1 Chronicles, Ezra gave the genealogies of the twelve tribes. In chapter 6 he dealt with the tribe of Levi and in verses 31-32 stated that “these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the Lord” and “they ministered . . . with singing.” In chapter 9:33 and 16:37 he went on to say that for those “singers” it was a full time service. In chapter 16 King David had the ark returned to Jerusalem and there was a great celebration that involved the singers and musicians, which probably totaled more than four thousand according to 23:5 and 25:7. There are three reasons given for the singing and celebration: 1) “raise sounds of joy” (15:16); 2) “give thanks to the Lord” (16:7); 3) “praise the Lord” (23:5).

Second, in 2 Chronicles 5 there was the dedication of the temple under King Solomon. In verses 11-13 it speaks of hundreds of singers and musicians who together sang and played “with one voice to praise and to glorify the Lord.” The result in verse 14 was “the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”

Third, in Nehemiah 12 the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem had been completed and there was going to be a great celebration. In verses 27-46 Nehemiah assembled “two great choirs” on top of the wall to sing and play. Verse 43 says “they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy . . . so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.”

So, the choir does not exist as a group that provides special music. It does not exist as a tool to stir the congregation into a false frenzy. It does not exist to entertain, but to encourage. It does not exist to impress but to inspire. Its purpose is to engage and lead the congregation, corporately, to raise sounds of joy, give thanks to the Lord, and to praise the Lord in worship with the result of 2 Chronicles 5:14 that “the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”

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