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Poetry and Song
103
How often in spiritual experience is this history repeated! How
often by words of holy song are unsealed in the soul the springs of
penitence and faith, of hope and love and joy!
With songs of praise the armies of Israel went forth to the great
deliverance under Jehoshaphat. To Jehoshaphat had come the news
of threatened war. “A great multitude is coming against you,” was
the message—“the people of Moab, and the people of Ammon, and
others with them besides.” “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself
to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” And
Jehoshaphat, standing in the temple court before his people, poured
out his soul in prayer, confessing Israel’s helplessness and pleading
God’s promise. “We have no power against this great multitude that
is coming against us,” he said, “nor do we know what to do, but our
eyes are upon You.”
2 Chronicles 20:2, 1, 3, 12
.
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite, and
he said, “Listen, all you of Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be
afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle
is not yours, but God’s. ... You will not need to fight in this battle.
Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. ...
Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the
Lord is with you.’”
2 Chronicles 20:14-17
.
“So they rose early in the morning, and went out into the Wilder-
ness of Tekoa.”
2 Chronicles 20:20
. Ahead of the army went singers,
lifting their voices in praise to God—praising Him for the victory
promised.
Four days later the army returned to Jerusalem, laden with the
spoil of their enemies, singing praise for the victory won.
Through song, David, amidst the vicissitudes of his ever-
changing life, held communion with heaven. How moving are his
experiences as a young shepherd reflected in the words:
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
[98]
He leadeth me beside the still waters. ...
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”