An unexpected introduction
We’ve all had the experience where we’re just minding our own business, going about our day, when all of a sudden…we’re introduced to someone new. A friend, co-worker, or family member brings this new-to-you person into your life saying, Hey, I’d like you to meet so-and-so.
Sometimes, reading through Scripture can be like that. Sure, we’ve met all the big names – Jesus, Paul, Abraham, David – but there are scores of “minor” characters in the Bible worth meeting.
Psalm 62
For the choir director: according to Jeduthun. A psalm of David
Did you know that the directions at the top of a psalm are part of the scripture record? Although usually skipped over, they can contain vital clues as to what the author’s intent was for the song. Looking here, we see that David is the author. In fact, he wrote the majority of the 150 psalms recorded in the Bible.
While many psalms have for the choir director in their header, this particular one has a certain person named as well. From this we see that David is not going to do this psalm, this song to God, all on his own. Even though David is fully capable of writing/performing by himself…this time, he wants to partner with someone, and he wants to do so with a specific person.
I think that’s a lesson we can all use…even if I am fully capable of using my talents to worship God and do it well (in anything – my time, my career, my talents, etc.), there is something special when we work with others toward the same goal of pursuing God.
So, who was Jeduthun? Who was it that David wanted to partner with in this psalm?
Here’s what Scripture records of him:
When David set up the tent to house the ark of God, he identified Jeduthun as one of two men to lead worship and lead their family members in other worship-focused duties:
1 Chronicles 16:42
Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals to play, and musical instruments of God. Jeduthun’s sons were at the city gate.
Later on we see Jeduthun again, while David was transferring his throne and kingdom to Solomon, and in preparation for the construction of the LORD’s temple in Jerusalem:
1 Chronicles 25:1,3,6-7
David and the officers of the army also set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy accompanied by Lyres, harps, and cymbals…Jeduthun’s sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah – six – under the authority of their father Jeduthun, prophesying to the accompaniment of lyres, giving thanks and praise to the Lord…all these men were under their own fathers’ authority for the music in the Lord’s temple, with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king’s authority.
During the dedication of the temple, we find this:
2 Chronicles 5:12-14
The Levitical singers dressed in fine linen and carrying cymbals, harps, and lyres were standing east of the altar; and with them were 120 priests blowing trumpets. The Levitical singers were descendants of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun and their sons and relatives. The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the Lord with one voice. They raised their voices, accompanied by trumpets, in praise to the Lord:
“For He is good: His faithful love endures forever.”
The temple, the Lord’s temple, was filled with a cloud. And because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering, for the glory of the Lord filled God’s temple.
Jeduthun was an eye-witness to the Shekinah-glory of God filling the temple. In a later reference, Jeduthun is identified as the king’s seer (2 Chronicles 35:15), which means that he was one who was given special revelations by God and had access to share those revelations with the king.
These are some of the highlights for the man David wanted to partner with for Psalm 62. From what we can see, Jeduthun was clearly accomplished and capable. Jeduthun was gifted by God in music, prophesy, and leadership. His use of these abilities gave him the opportunity to participate in and witness some of the most exciting moments in Israel’s history. In addition to Psalm 62, he is specifically named in the header of two other Psalms (Psalm 39 and 77).
Even if we are not talented in the same manner as Jeduthun or have the same level of public ministry, we do need to make sure that we are using our specific gifts and talents for the LORD. For certain, Jeduthun did not start out witnessing the glory of the LORD or serving as the king’s seer – those came later, after years of service to God.
Likewise, we will never know what we will be able to participate in with God later unless we are faithful with our current opportunities. So let’s use our talents and partner together now, and then see where God takes us.
Keep Pressing,
Ken