In the Days of Asaph and David - Nehemiah 12:46

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son”, and in chapter twelve and verse forty-six of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the days of David and Asaph” where we read,

For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, 

and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. 

The verse reads, “For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “for in the days of David” which means “because, since and on account that within the seasons and time periods belonging to David whose name means beloved and was the son of Jesse and the second king of Israel” “and Asaph of old” or “and Asaph whose name means gatherer from antiquity, before and aforetime” “there were chief” which means “there existed upper, head, top and chieftains” “of the singers” or “belonging to the ones who make music with their voices”. Nehemiah shared how there existed heads and overseers of the “singers” during the time period when “King David” and “Asaph” from antiquity ruled.

The verse continues, “... and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.” Nehemiah added the words, “and songs of praise” or “and religious and lyrical odes and hymns pertaining to adoration, thanksgiving, renown, fame and glory” “and thanksgiving unto God” which means “and laud, reverence and worship toward the Supreme Deity Jehovah God”. Nehemiah referred to the time when “King David and Asaph” established heads or leaders of the people who sung musical odes of laud and gratitude toward Jehovah God. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how Nehemiah was aware of the way “King David and Asaph” managed the music and worship in their time. Nehemiah followed their model with the “singers and porters” of his day. God wants us to be a part of His Kingdom, and when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and establish His order in our lives that is in keeping with His ways as it was in history and as it shall be in our current day. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel … and Nehemiah”, 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".