The Spiritual Song - Exploring Prophetic Worship by Mike Herron

5 KING DAVID

King David is the greatest example of a prophetic singer in the Bible. His life of worship, prayer and love for the Word were the sources of his deep intimacy with God. All believers and in particular those who are called to worship ministry should follow him and develop a consistent pattern of reading, praying, singing and memorizing from the Psalms. As a youth, David was the most accomplished harp player in Israel and a person of godly character: ‘One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that – he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.’(1 Sam 16:18) Peter identifies him as a prophet in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost: ‘ But he (David) was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne.’ (Acts 2:30, 31) These two elements converged upon the young man who was to be King: ‘And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.’ (1 Sam 16:13) He became the greatest prophet of Jesus, the coming Messiah and the Psalms became the most quoted book in the New Testament. His prophetic, musical writings are a major foundation for the church. God has always desired a personal love relationship with his people based on worship and prayer.