Singing in Israel’s Experience
287
hearts of God’s people, bringing them nearer to the ever-loving heart
of Him in whom all His creatures live.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 642
.
David’s Worship in Song—Daily revelations of the character and
majesty of his Creator filled the young poet’s heart with adoration and
rejoicing. In contemplation of God and His works, the faculties of
[449]
David’s mind and heart were developing and strengthening for the
work of his after-life. He was daily coming into a more intimate
communion with God. His mind was constantly penetrating into new
depths for fresh themes to inspire his song and to wake the music of
his harp. The rich melody of his voice, poured out upon the air, echoed
from the hills as if responsive to the rejoicing of the angels’ songs in
heaven.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 642
.
Music From Heaven for King Saul—In the providence of God,
David, as a skillful performer upon the harp, was brought before the
king. His lofty and Heaven-inspired strains had the desired effect. The
brooding melancholy that had settled like a dark cloud over the mind
of Saul was charmed away.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 643
.
Consolation in Music—He [David] had been in the court of the
king, and had seen the responsibilities of royalty. He had discovered
some of the temptations that beset the soul of Saul, and had penetrated
some of the mysteries in the character and dealings of Israel’s first
king. He had seen the glory of royalty shadowed with a dark cloud
of sorrow, and he knew that the household of Saul, in their private
life, were far from happy. All these things served to bring troubled
thoughts to him who had been anointed to be king over Israel. But
while he was absorbed in deep meditation, and harassed by thoughts
of anxiety, he turned to his harp, and called forth strains that elevated
[450]
his mind to the Author of every good, and the dark clouds that seemed
to shadow the horizon of the future were dispelled.—
Patriarchs and
Prophets, 644
.
David as Song Leader—The men of Israel followed, with exultant
shouts and songs of rejoicing, a multitude of voices joining in melody
with the sound of musical instruments; “David and all the house of
Israel played before the Lord ... on harps, and on psalteries, and
on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.” [See
2 Samuel 6
.]—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 704, 705
.
Music for the Ark Procession—The triumphal procession ap-
proached the capital, following the sacred symbol of their invisible