ALL THE PEOPLE SAID, AMEN, AND PRAISED THE LORD

David’s desire when king was that the ark of the Lord be brought to Jerusalem and set in its place. It had earlier been captured by the Philistines with disastrous results for them, 1 Sam. 5. They transported it by cart and on such a vehicle it finally returned to Beth-shemesh and Israel, 1 Sam. 6. In contrast to this, the people of God had been given specific instructions that the ark should only be carried by the Levites, Num. 3, and thus it had been transported through the wilderness and Jordan into Canaan. How remarkable that David chose the Philistine way of carrying the ark on a cart, 1 Sam. 6. 6-8; 2 Sam. 6. 3, with similar, disastrous results, 2 Sam. 6. 6, 7.

Conduct based upon the ideas of men relative to the things of God may be convenient, and even popular, but can never lead to the blessing of the Lord and the honouring of His name. The ark is a precious type of Christ. Right thinking and behaviour associated with it, as with Christ Himself, must originate from a source higher and beyond the thinking of men. Even though David was angry about the death of Uzza and was fearful before the Lord, he would not be moved from his purpose. He asks the question, ‘How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?’, 1 Chr. 13. 12, and finally finds the answer only in obedience to the word of the Lord.

The verses before us are taken from the prayer/psalm of praise which David uttered and wrote after the return of the ark to Jerusalem. Israel’s thanksgiving finds its source in appreciation of who their God was and is and what He had done. We read, ‘Give thanks unto the Lord’, v. 8, ‘make known his deeds among the people’, v. 8; ‘the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever’, v. 34; ‘O God of our salvation’, v. 35.

With the ark in the midst, David leads the people in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. How delightful a picture is this! The principle is eternal. Our God still leads His obedient people to deeper appreciation of who He is and what He has done. He gathers them to His name and, with His presence in their midst, on to the delights of corporate worship. Our response must be that of the people in David’s day; they said ‘Amen and praised the Lord’.