1 Chronicles 25:7 So the number of them, with their brothers that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning… Instructed in the songs of the Lord, even all that were cunning. The general subject of the consecration of song to the Lord's service has been dealt with in previous homilies. Here two points gain prominence. Men who serve with song must be (1) men with a gift; and (2) men with the gift cultured. I. MEN WITH A GIFT. "Cunning," clever, skilled, having this as a natural endowment. Dwell on the importance of fully recognizing the Divine distribution of gifts in our times, as truly as in the age of the apostles; and then the practical importance of looking out the men and women among us who have a Divine endowment. Each one of us should be anxious to find his or her own gift, and each one should be quick to observe his brother's gift. The thing which lifts a man above commonplace is his gift, and in honouring it we honour God in him. II. MEN WITH THE GIFT CULTURED. In this matter our responsibility comes to view. In our service to God we are bound to see to it that the men and women of gifts among us have their chance of due instruction and culture. Worldly men are keen to discover talent, and train it. But this needs to be more fully done within Christ's Church, and in respect especially of the gifts of preaching, music, and song. Dealing with the song-gift, it may be shown how dependent it is upon culture; how it responds to instruction and practice, and what a power it exerts on men, as hymn-power, anthem-power, chorus-power, song-power. The ancient legend of Eurydice did but declare the wondrous spell that ever goes with beauteous song - "Perchance at last, Zeus willing, this dumb lyre and whispered voice Shall wake, by love inspired, to such clear note As soars above the stars, and swelling, lifts Our souls to highest heaven." R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight. |
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