In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel”, and in chapter three and verse eleven of Ezra, Ezra shared how, “they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD” where we read,
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endures for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
The verse reads, “And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD;” Ezra began with the words, “and they sang together by course” which means “and they, the priests, Levites and sons of Asaph made music with their voices with each other one after another” “in praising” which means “with boasting, commending and glorifying” “and giving thanks” or “and confessing and proclaiming laud and gratitude” “unto the LORD” whose name means “toward Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Ezra shared how the “priests, Levites and sons of Asaph” began singing together one by one in honoring, worshiping and providing gratitude toward Jehovah.
The verse continues, “because he is good, for his mercy endures for ever toward Israel.” Ezra added the words, “because he is good” or “since and on account that he, Jehovah God, exists as pleasant, agreeable, excellent, valuable and rich”, “for his mercy” which means “because, since and on account that his, Jehovah God's, goodness, kindness and faithfulness” “endures for ever” or “lasts and remains unto long duration, futurity, everlasting and evermore” “toward Israel” which means “to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Ezra said the reason the priests, Levites and sons of Asaph made music with their voices was on account that Jehovah God is kind and and faithful to “Israel” unto perpetuity.
Finally the verse says, “and all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.” Ezra concluded this verse with the words, “and all the people shouted” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings both male and female cried aloud” “with a great shout”which means “with a massive and exceedingly loud cry”, “when they praised the LORD” or “at the time and moment they, the priests, Levites and sons of Asaph confessed and proclaimed laud and gratitude to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “because the foundation of the house” which means “since and on account that the base belonging to the dwelling place, habitation and abode or temple” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “was laid” which means “was fixed, set in place and established”. Ezra ended this verse by referring to how everyone of the people of Israel cried aloud with an exceedingly loud sound at the time they gave honor, glory and worship to Jehovah God because the establishment of the base of the temple of Jehovah God was fixed and set in place.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how the base or “foundation” of the temple in Jerusalem was reestablished, and the crowd of people were celebrating Jehovah God with an exceeding great cry of worship and honor to Him. The “priests, Levites and sons of Asaph” expressed gratitude to Jehovah God, and they recognized God's goodness, kindness and faithfulness as they responded to the “praise and worship” that was being given. God wants us to acknowledge Him, His provision and protection, and when we realize He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins, we have the opportunity to receive Him as our “Savior and Lord”. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and allow us to give loud adoration and “praise” unto Him for all eternity.
Next time Ezra shares how, “many of the priests, Levites and chief of the fathers … wept with a loud voice”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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