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There are those today who suggest that the concept of the church choir is outdated. However, if we look at the history and purpose of the choir, I suspect we will find that this ought not be the case.

The "church choir" has its origins not in Roman Catholicism or in Christianity at all, but in the Old Testament. The first "church choir" was appointed by King David some 3000 years ago. These choirs were far more serious than anything we have today.

Now these are the singers, heads of fathers' households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free from other service; for they were engaged in their work day and night. (1 Chron. 9:33)

First, we find that the Levites appointed to music were "free from other service". Why? They had no other duties because their job was full time. They engaged in their work "day and night". They had no time for anything else. It appears as if David ordered there be music 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to worship God in the Tabernacle. This group of Levites "ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem; and they served in their office according to their order." (1 Chron 6:32).

Now, we all have heard the term, "minister", used as a noun. Unfortunately, in our vernacular, we've lost the sense of the word. According to the dictionary, the word now means "one who is authorized to perform religious functions in a Christian church." That's what it has come to mean. But it's original meaning - and we still use it this way today - comes from its verb form. To "minister" is more accurately "to attend to the wants and needs of others." Thus, a "minister" would be one who attends to the wants and needs of others. Or, in terms of the normal usage today, a "minister" would be "one who is authorized to attend to the wants and needs of those in a Christian church."

According to 1 Chron. 6, the role of these particular Levites was to minister with song. They attended to the wants and needs of those who came to the Tabernacle to worship by use of music.

First Chronicles is full of information about David's musical requirements in worship.

Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. (1 Chron 15:16)

Continued...

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