1 Chronicles 16:4-7

And to record.

The recorders

These recorders were to take notes of what God had done; they were to be the chroniclers of the nation, and out of their chronicles they were to compose the psalms and songs. The original of the word “record” bears another meaning--“to bring to remembrance.” We gather--

I. That if recorders were appointed, there is some fault in our memory towards the Lord.

1. Memory has been prejudiced by the fall.

2. Memory towards God’s mercy has been very much impaired by neglect.

3. Memory touching God’s mercy is often overloaded with other things. I think Aristotle used to call memory the stomach of the soul, in which it retains and digests what it gathers; but men cram it full of everything that it does not want--upon which the soul cannot feed, and thus they ruin it for remembering the best things.

4. Memory has also suffered from its connection with the other faculties.

(1) Darkened understandings.

(2) Perverted affections.

5. Our memory of God’s goodness is often crushed down by a sense of present pain.

II. That we ought to do all we can to assist our memories towards God.

1. It is a good thing to make an actual record of God’s mercy.

2. Be sure to praise God thoroughly at the time you receive His goodness.

3. Set apart a little time for meditation.

4. Often rehearse His mercy in the ears of others.

5. Use everything about you as a memento.

III. We have all had mercies to remember.

1. Common mercies.

2. Special providence.

3. The long-suffering of God.

IV. That all our memories should tend to make us praise and bless God. Rowland Hill used to say that worldlings were like the hogs under the oak, which eat the acorns, but never think of the oak from which they fall, nor lift up their heads to grunt out a thanksgiving. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

And Jeiel with psalteries and with harps.--

The meaning of song

The meaning of song goes deep. Who is there that in logical words can express the effect that music has on us? A kind of inarticulate, unfathomable speech, which leads us to the edge of the infinite, and lets us for moments gaze into that. (T. Carlyle.)

Musical talent dedicated to God

Jenny Lind believed that her art was the gift of God, and to be dedicated to His service. “I have always put Him first,” said she, in her last illness. (Church Worker.)