And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath.  And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.  1 Chronicles 9:32-33

Years ago, as a student in Jr High and High School, I played an instrument in the school band.  We had a stage band, a marching band, and would perform a Christmas and an end-of-the-year program.  Band practice was always a lot of fun.  My favorite part was the “tuning time” when the director would try to get all the instruments to be tuned to the key of “c.”  This was always a challenge with woodwinds, brass, and complicated teenagers trying to sound out on their instruments.  One exasperated director threw his baton; he was so upset that the practice was going so badly!

I enjoy listening to classical music.  Large orchestras filled with professional musicians making music in perfect harmony with accurate pitch and acoustic tenor is a wonderful thing for my ears to hear!  Hearing the various instruments resonate through the hall or park, and the orchestra’s united sounds reach our ears, can be amazing.

Music is a wonderful gift God has given man, and it is a terrific tool God has given us, in part, to worship God.  The Bible musicians took their presentations to the Lord very seriously.  In the verses above, they were so devoted to the music of the temple that it became their occupation.  There are a few “professional musicians” in the Bible.

Not all the people of the Tribe of Levi became priests.  However, all those who were priests did come from the Tribe of Levi.  The non-priest Levites were asked by God to help with temple functions and to facilitate the music and singing at the temple.  This began when the people of Israel were still worshipping God in the portable temple called the Tabernacle.

Note how the music expectations developed by the time of King David.

1 Chronicles 15:16, And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

Not just anyone was allowed to sing; only those approved by the leaders were.  Some people do not have a good testimony and may not be allowed to sing.  I wonder if some of the Levites were born with “tin ears” and could not hold a tune.  I doubt they would have been asked to sing.

These musicians, who were asked to present their music, did so after much practice.  Think about a professional musician today.  They take their music so seriously that they memorize the lyrics and put in every effort to deliver a good performance.  While Christian singers are not performing in the traditional sense, we are presenting our songs to the Lord Jesus Christ, and we should give our best effort.

They were also presenting their music pieces with joy.  A good attitude is a prerequisite for singing a special in church.  Isn’t it amazing how sometimes when you are discouraged a song can lift you up?  These musicians were to be right with the Lord and joyful in their disposition before they delivered their music.

2 Chronicles 7:6, And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.

The music was clearly a call to worship the Lord.  It was distinct music that directed people’s attention to the Lord.  Our music should have the same effect today.  The music and the words sung should guide our hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The congregational singing, worship songs, and occasional solos or group singing must work together to point people to the Lord.  The music director or leader must be filled with the Spirit of God and emptied of self to be truly effective.

This also causes us to consider the quality of the music.  Our instruments should be tuned, and our musicians should be accustomed to playing the right notes at the right time.  Any Jr High music teacher will chuckle at that proposition!  I still laugh when I recall the band director throwing the conductor’s baton across the room!  It would not have happened if we, Jr. High students, could have only played the warm-up notes in the same key!

Not every song sung or instrument played will be pitch perfect every time, but we should try for it.  The idea of “winging it” or “hoping it will work out” would be an unfamiliar idea to David and to the Levite professional musicians who served the Lord in the music ministry.

At the same time, young people and developing musicians should be encouraged and given appropriate opportunities to present their music to the Lord.  Not every musician will be Sunday morning ready, but they should be utilized in the Nursing Home, Jail service, Jr. Church, and Youth Ministries.  While serving God, they are further developing their talents and preparing for more opportunities when the time is right.

2 Chronicles 34:12, And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick. 

These musicians were faithful.  They were faithful to practice; they were faithful in service.  All of us have known people who attend a church service only when it is their turn to sing with the music team.  If they are not scheduled to lead singing, sing a song, or play an instrument, they do not show up.  These are not the people who should be ministering in music in our churches.  The music people should be faithful to be involved in other aspects of church life.  I have found that many times, the most involved people are the lovely piano players who are almost “stretched thin,” they are so committed to serving the Lord in areas other than music.

Musicians should be involved in other areas, not just music.  This is clear as we see the musical Levites in their ministry.  If a person only serves in the spotlight, he is much quicker to become lifted up with pride.  Many talented musically enabled Christians have fallen because of pride.

The “overseers” would also coach and help the musicians get better.  If a musician cannot be encouraged to do better, then pride is getting in the way of true service to the Lord.  The work of music was “set forward” by the overseers.  Each musician should try to help the church music director and the church music ministry advance to become more professional to the glory of the Lord.  I enjoy listening to young musicians, just starting out, and watching and hearing their progression of quality and excellence improve. Recordings and live presentations become better. As the musicians, sound engineers, and technology get better, so does the quality of the audio, acoustics, and the environment in which the songs are sung.  We are all blessed when things are “set forward” and made better.

Not to suggest anyone quits their job to become a “professional musician,” but we all can look at our music ministry and consider – are we being as professional as possible to make a joyful noise unto the Lord?