Pioneer Worship Leaders

In 1 Chronicles 6, we have a record of some of the first worship leaders in Biblical history. David put these men in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there. 1 Chronicles 6:32 says: “They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.”
These men were called out in the Old Testament to not only be in charge of the music in the house of the Lord, but they were also set apart for prophesying in song accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. All of them were trained and skilled in music specifically for the purpose of worship in song in the temple. It is fitting that David, the ultimate worshiper, organized this group of talented musicians to carry on the worship in the tabernacle before Solomon’s temple was built. I wish I could have been there…ministering in song in Tent of Meeting where the ark dwelt.
This is a beautiful example to us who are vocalists, instrumentalists and musicians in our churches. Though we are not in the actual Tabernacle, Tent of Meeting or Solomon’s temple, we are in a sacred place and our music ministry happens in the presence of Almighty God. I would imagine that the ancient worshipers took their jobs seriously. There were specific regulations for them, and they were required to play and sing skillfully.
It is our responsibility to proclaim the glory of God through music. Psalm 66:1-2 tells us to “Shout joyfully to God all the earth; sing the glory of His name; make his praise glorious.” Psalm 119:172 says, “Let my tongue sing of Thy Word.” God’s purpose is clearly shown in Psalm 33:1-3: “Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.”
We can also encourage one another by using music. Ephesians 5:19 tells us to “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to God.” Another way that music can be effective is by combating the enemy through spiritual warfare. In the heat of battle against the enemy, King Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise him in the splendor of his holiness…As they began singing and praising the Lord, He set ambushes against the men who were invading Judah and they were defeated. (II Chronicles 20:21-22) Our praise to the Lord silences the enemy of our souls.
As worship leaders and musicians in our church, we have the privilege and responsibility to encourage others through music, wage war against the enemy, and direct honor and praise to our Lord. He has given us both the desire and the ability to make music for him, and He wants us to glorify Him with our musical gifts. If it was important to God in the days of David to set apart musicians to lead out in worshiping Him, it is still important to Him today. I am thankful for a church where we can worship freely and contribute our musical gifts to Him on a regular basis.
Psalm 92:1 says, “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, Oh Most High!