In Unison


(…and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud….
2 Chronicles 5:13 ESV)

Why in unison? Why one voice? Why not break this into beautiful parts?

Honestly, I cannot know why this verse points out that, at this time and place, the people who were worshiping God did so in unison. However, this passage allows me to think and speculate about our collective response to God.

We are told that those who are believers belong to the body of Christ. Each body part is unique, yet each part makes up one body. The elbow or knee did not position themselves for glory, they are not in a continual battle to demonstrate their worth, and when they operate correctly, observers see one body. 

It is most interesting that each part points to the whole and not to itself. So, I wonder, does the body move in unison or in harmony, and if it is harmony, is true harmony really unison?

I understand this may be as significant as whether a tree makes a sound when it falls in an abandoned forest, however, it may also be significant in understanding how we were made, and the healthiest way to express our praise to God. 

If I listen to those who lead worship and am impressed by the individual, am I really worshipping? Should those who sing various parts harmonize so well that we actually hear one voice, the voice of God, and if so, how is that accomplished?

We can identity each instrument when it is played, yet when they are played together, are they to sound like one?

Regardless of the answers to these questions, the Scriptures are clear that we need to be one voice, one body, one people who are united by our love, or obedience, to God. When we try to insure that our voice is heard, that we are recognized for our contribution, or that we are especially appreciated, we distort the whole idea of praise and worship because we are trying to take something that belongs to God. 

So, when the world looks at us, the church, do they actually see God, or do they see us telling them to look at God? Perhaps it matters more than we think. 


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