the praise party

For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Nehemiah 12:46

When Jerusalem’s walls were finished, Nehemiah led the citizens of the city to gather all around the walls in a massive celebration ceremony that was really a worship service and concert of praise loud enough to be heard beyond Jerusalem. Earlier, as the Jews read and recommitted to the Law they had celebrated with a preaching party. But now at the official dedication ceremony of the walls they threw a praise party.

Once again it appears that Nehemiah enlisted the expert skills of scribes and priests to orchestrate the event biblically. Those who led wanted to follow the pattern from Israel’s past. They knew that king David and Asaph had organized singers, musicians, and Levites to conduct corporate worship long ago in God’s house. And so the old songs of praise and thanksgiving were made new again! The preaching party celebrated the book of Deuteronomy. This party was rocking to the rhythm of the Psalms!

The Jerusalem walls were more than just an achievement in civil engineering. They were more than a political statement. They were a gift from a gracious God Who empowered His people to do the work and kept them safe as they completed the work. And now the city was safe again. Jerusalem could rise up and be blessed again as the Jews worshiped God, loved His Law, obeyed His call, and joyously sang His praises!

Praising Jesus today should have similar motivation. It isn’t about music style or stage production values. It is about a heart lifted up, secure in Jesus, working for Jesus, because of Jesus, rejoicing in the grace of the gospel. And if that won’t make you sing, then nothing will.