20141230 Tuesday, December 30 2014
Psalm 039: Jeduthun's Music

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David ... Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD"

Jeduthun was a Levite of the line of Merari (see the Fact Finder question below) who was prominent in music in Jerusalem during the united kingdom era of King David (see How Many Kings Reigned In The United Kingdom? and When Will The United Kingdom Be Restored?).

David's establishment of the choirs and musicians in the latter era of the Tabernacle (see Israel In History and Prophecy: The Tabernacle and David's House Of Cedars and The LORD's Tabernacle) became the basis of the music service in the Temple (see Israel In History and Prophecy: The Temple) after it was constructed in the time of David's son and successor King Solomon (see Israel In History and Prophecy: Solomon).

"16:39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, 16:40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel; 16:41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever; 16:42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters." (1 Chronicles 16:39-42 KJV)

The musical Levites were organized into three groups. The clan of Jeduthun was one them.

"25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

25:2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.

25:3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

25:4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth: 25:5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. 25:7 So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight. 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar." (1 Chronicles 25:1-8 KJV)

Jeduthun as addressed in three of the Psalms - the 39th, the 62nd and 77th Psalms.

"39:1 To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. 39:2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

39:4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

39:6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. 39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. 39:10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. 39:11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more." (Psalm 39:1-13 KJV)

Fact Finder: (a) When was the Levite priesthood established? (b) How were the Levites organized? (c) What property did the Levites inherit in the land of Israel? (d) What was the Christian purpose of the Levite priesthood?
(a) See When Were The Levites Set Apart? and The Meeting Of Moses And Aaron
(b) See The Levite Clans
(c) See The Inheritance Of The Levites
(d) See The Prophecy Of The Blood Upon The Anointed One and The Levites Of Christ