March 13

From: Continual Burnt Offering: Daily Meditations By: Henry Allan Ironside

1 Chronicles 9:33

“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 9:33³³And 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 9:33).

IS singing work? It is certainly not labor in the sense of toilsome effort. But we read of the “service of song,” And when our hearts are lifted up to God in praise and our lips intone thanksgivings to His Name, it is indeed a work in which He finds delight. He has said, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me” (Psa. 50:23²³Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23)). Of old the Levites, who were set apart for the special ministry of song, were “employed in that work day and night.” It is no light thing to be appointed to lead the praises of God’s people. It is a blessed and joyous service in which the heart must be continually occupied. Paul and Silas were true singing Levites, even in a prison cell with their feet fast in the stocks. It is God alone who giveth songs in the night.

“When shadowed in the darkness,

And pressed by every foe,

Then let your gladdest carols

And sweetest anthems flow;

The praise so sweet to Jesus,

The “sacrifice of praise,”

Is when no earthly sunshine

Pours forth its cheering rays.

‘Tis then your song is wafted

All human heights above,

And mingles with the angels

In realms of perfect love;