At the end of his life, King David was described as “the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel” (II Samuel 23:1). Even with all of his considerable accomplishments and epic failures, his ultimate legacy was his love of God and music!
These loves brought the young man away from the sheep and into the royal court as someone “skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him” (I Samuel 16:18). Unlike so many of us who abandon our musical interests as busy adults, David kept composing and singing to God all throughout his forty-year reign. He was nowhere near a perfect man or king. Yet, he loved God and was very purposeful in bringing his feelings to the LORD in song to be shaped. David sang psalms during his high moments, like when God delivered him from his enemies in Psalm 18. He sang psalms through his lowest points, like confessing his sin with Bathsheba in Psalm 51 or fleeing from his son Absalom in Psalm 3.
In fact, David’s expression of himself to God through music accounted for most of the Psalms. Out of 150, 73 are directly attributed to David, and he likely wrote others. The Jerusalem church credited him with Psalm 2, and the Hebrews writer said Psalm 95 was his, too (Acts 4:25, Hebrews 4:7). He indirectly influenced another 24 by organizing the sons of Korah and appointing Heman, Ethan, and Asaph – all psalmists – to music ministry (I Chronicles 9:19-22, 15:16-17). Singing was an important part of his and the nation’s relationship with God.
Despite incredible pressures, great successes, and terrible lows, David never stopped singing. “I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 18:6). As we study, meditate, pray, and sing his inspired words through our own highs and lows, we can be blessed, too.
Are you ready to have your faith shaped by these powerful songs? Check out our new sermon series, Climbing Higher: Songs of Ascents.