Today's Scripture Reading (May 12, 2022): 1 Chronicles 6
How do you react to this list of names;
Bill Medley and Bobby
Hatfield (better known as the Righteous Brothers), Richard and Karen Carpenter,
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, and Don and Phil Everly? What these names have in common is that they are some of the great
musical duos that have dominated music over the past five or six decades. The
list could be much longer and include The Proclaimers, Wham, and even Sonny and Cher. These musical duos have sung some of
the songs that make up the soundtrack of our lives. (I have to admit that I
used to sing "I Got You, Babe" to my granddaughter until she informed
me that she was no longer a baby.) Their songs are the ones that get stuck in
our minds or bring back significant memories when we hear them.
During the days of David, the prominent musical duo
was Heman and Asaph, and they formed a pairing that deserves to make any list
of great historical musical power duos. Heman was the grandson of the prophet Samuel. Heman had fourteen sons, all of
whom were also trained musically and assisted their father with the choir.
Beyond being called "The Singer," Heman was also a significant
adviser to David.
Heman also appears to be a man well acquainted with sorrow.
Heman authored Psalm 88, in which he writes, "I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death" (Psalm
88:3) and "Your wrath lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me
with all your waves." Pastor David Guzik reminds us that "some of the sweetest songs come from
the heaviest sorrow." And that evaluation seems to apply well to Heman's
Psalm 88.
Asaph was Heman's associate and a prominent singer in his own right.
Asaph is credited with writing twelve of the Psalms. Not only was Asaph a celebrated musician during the days of David, but he was also remembered by future musicians who were
known as the "Sons of Asaph." "The Sons of Asaph" was
a title that was used, even into the days of Ezra in post-exilic Israel, to describe a class of quality
musicians that ministered in the Temple.
But maybe one of the greatest honors given to Heman
and Asaph is that both men were intricately involved in the ceremonies when the
Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem. David trusted the two musicians
to get the task done, regardless of what or how important that task might be.
Heman and Asaph had the privilege of singing the soundtrack of the lives of those who lived and
worked in Jerusalem during the days of David and even into the reign of
Solomon.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 7
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