David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was:
David and the leaders of the service set apart three families — Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun — for a service that Scripture does not call singing but prophesying. That one word raises the questions this chapter turns on. Why does music count as prophecy? Why does organised song appear only now? And what does any of it mean for people who own no harp?
Why song is called prophesying
William Kelly ties the word to a change of setting: from the tabernacle, the tent Israel carried through the wilderness, to the temple.
William KellyIn 1 Chronicles 25 we have the service of song. Scripture calls this service "prophesying" because it brought God in so directly, and bringing in God is the strong meaning of prophesying. There were twenty-four groups of singers. This was another remarkable change. In the tabernacle the main feature was not song but sacrifice. In the temple, in the day of glory, the song of triumph is the new and fitting feature.
The Psalms as inspired writing
The men played and prophesied at the same time. That settles the character of what they sang.
H. L. RossierAsaph, Heman and Jeduthun prophesy with sacred instruments under the king's direction. Heman is David's seer in the words of God. They play either to celebrate and praise the Lord, or to exalt His power. This is one proof, among many others, that the Psalms are an inspired collection with a prophetic character.
Appointed, not self-selected
The chapter goes on to assign these groups by lot. Nobody applied for the post.
H. L. RossierLike the priests and the Levites, the singers were divided by lot, and God's free choice marked them out. The will of man decided nothing: that is of all importance. The Lord's Anointed orders and the Lord decides. Here they cast lots for the Levites' duties, "the small as well as the great, the teacher with the pupil" (v. 8).
The family history behind Heman
Heman came from the Kohathite branch of the Levites. His family line explains why he, of all men, stood at the centre of the praise.
An Outline of Sound WordsThe Kohathites had the privilege of carrying on their shoulders the ark, the table of showbread, the golden altar and the golden lampstand. From among them Heman is chosen for the central place of praise to God. He is spoken of as "Heman a singer," and his genealogy is traced through Korah to Levi. As a descendant of Korah, he had good cause to praise God for His rich mercy. Dathan and Abiram died with their children, and Korah shared their fate. Yet Scripture records, "But the sons of Korah did not die" (Num. 26:11). God spared them in His sovereign mercy, so no one was better suited to sing of the goodness and mercy of God.
Who has a right to sing at all
The care taken over these three men's credentials prompts a question about qualification.
The Bible TreasuryWhy such particular care about the singers? Because only those who have the right may sing. And who now have the right to sing? Redemption gives the right. Should there be songs for slaves? Whether a slave is willing or groaning, deliverance must come first, and with that deliverance comes the appointment to sing.
The harps and cymbals themselves
The harps and cymbals fitted the worship of that day. They are not the pattern for Christian meetings now.
Morrish Bible DictionaryThe Psalms were written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So we may conclude that celebrating the praises of God this way suited the order God had set up at that time. A call like "Praise Him with lute and harp" is perfectly in place in the Psalms. But in the New Testament order it is "singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart."
Still under a King's direction
The king's word stands over the whole arrangement. The next verse says the singers prophesied at his direction.
An Outline of Sound WordsThe sons of Asaph were "under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied at the direction of the king" (1 Chr. 25:2). Asaph's ministry was prophetic. Applied today, it brings building up, encouragement and comfort to the saints, for the one who prophesies builds up the church (1 Cor. 14:3-4). This did not come from Asaph himself. It came under the direction of the king. How blessed when there is prophecy in the assembly of God under the direction of our exalted Head, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Summary
- Song brings in God. The verse calls the singing "prophesying" because it set God directly before the people.
- Song is inspired. These men prophesied as they played. So the Psalms stand as an inspired collection with a prophetic character.
- Song is assigned. The courses fell by lot, so the choice was God's and not man's, and the least ranked with the greatest.
- Song follows redemption. Slaves do not sing. Deliverance comes first, and with it comes the appointment to sing — which is why a descendant of Korah's spared children leads the choir.
- Song is still directed. Then the king ordered it. Now our exalted Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, directs it, and the harps give way to melody in the heart.