David: A Man Of Worship

Temple Baptist Church - 2-26-2012

2 Samuel 23:1

Introduction:

A. We have preached for a couple of weeks on the life of David: the only man in the Bible that God said was a man after His own heart. When God makes a statement like that, it behooves us to look closely at the character and life of this man that made him so described. We understand that David was a man of contentment and character which make for attributes of greatness in the sight of the Lord.

B. This morning, I want to look at David in the light of his worship of God. Worship is of the utmost importance in God’s people. Worship is the missing ingredient in the lives of many and is reflected in the lack of biblical worship within the local church. We will never worship publically until we have learned to worship privately.

C. In our text for this morning, we find that David was called “the sweet psalmist of Israel.” Just how many of the 150 psalms David actually wrote is up for debate but’ while this number is not completely confirmed, it is said that 78 psalms were written by David and the other 73 of the 150 are by different writers. 73 Psalms are directly ascribed to him and Psalms 2 and 95 are mentioned in the New Testament as being composed by David. Some of the unascribed Psalms are also thought to have been written by David.

D. When I think of song writing in the realm of worship, I think of Fanny Crosby who wrote about 8,000 hymns which are songs or odes in praise and honor of God. Hymns are songs of worship. David wrote the majority of Israel’s “song book” from which we read this morning.

E. I want to take a biblical look at David’s life where we find the development of worship being evident in almost every aspect of it. Worship is important to us as God’s children and is essential to a proper relationship with Him.

1. David was taught worship by his father. 1 Samuel 16:5-6 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. (6) And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.

a. Our children need to be taught to worship. They need to see their parents worship and need to attend a church where worship is both welcome and present.

b. David was brought up in a family that worshipped because Jesse came to the sacrifice when invited. He not only came but also brought his sons with the exception of David. Sometimes, the ox is “in the ditch” and so it was with David because the sheep had to be attended to but Jesse even called for David when told to do so.

c. Our children need to see us worship in the home in private and in the church publically.

2. David developed worship in his personal devotions. 1 Samuel 16:16-18 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. (17) And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. (18) Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

a. To this point in his life, David was still a keeper of the sheep. Much of his early life was spent alone under the stars with his father’s sheep.

b. Here we see that he was a man who was skillful on an instrument of strings. David no doubt wrote some of these psalms while keeping sheep. The 23rd Psalm could certainly have been written in such a setting: a young man alone with his Lord.

c. The words “Psalm of David” are found 55 times in the Book of Psalms. We can watch others worship but worship must become personal with us and it begins in our private lives.

3. David learned to worship in the hard times of his life. Psalms 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

a. Worship is easy when you are on the “mountain top” but much less likely to take place in the “valleys” of life.

b. Some of the most emotional “worshippers” are the ones who drop out the quickest when times get hard. The reason for this is that they operate upon emotions.

c. Worship is not based upon emotion but upon “worth ship.” What is God worth in our lives? God is worthy of our praise if we feel like it or not.

4. David unashamedly worshipped in his public life. 2 Samuel 6:13-14; 20-22 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

a. It mattered not who saw him as he worshipped in front of the people that he ruled over. No shame, no “airs,” and no apologies. With all of his might he danced before the Lord unashamed. He worshipped because of his great love and admiration for his Lord.

b. May the Lord help us to worship unashamed publically. You do not have to shout or swing from the chandeliers in order to worship the Lord but I do believe that inward worship will result in outward praise. I have seen some cry; I have seen some lift a hand; I have heard some praise God vocally; I have seen some sing with all of their hearts; I have seen the smiles on their faces and the beam in their eyes; and I have seen them bow their heads or their knees in the presence of their Maker.

c. Psalm 150 says it all: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” We are all made up different but I believe that this psalm gives no room for an emotionless silence in the presence of a thrice holy God!

5. David Worshipped The Lord Publicly In The Place Of God’s Choosing. (He loved the house of the Lord!)

a. He Found Gladness - Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

b. He Found Fellowship - Psalms 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

c. He Found Beauty - Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

d. He Found Satisfaction - Psalms 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

e. He Found Strength - Psalms 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

f. He Found Fulfillment - Psalms 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

6. David worshipped the Lord sacrificially with his substance. 1 Chronicles 21:23-24 And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all. 24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

a. David did not worship the Lord without giving. Giving is such an important part of worship because it reveals to the Lord our thanksgiving for all that He has given to us.

b. The first fruits are His along with our free will offerings. He owns it all because all came from Him.