NOTES for Ch1 6:31-81

We cannot be surprised that David, who glorified the Lord in song, attached great importance to the art of singing and therefore appointed singers to the tabernacle. Since then, the singing of praise to the Lord has never ceased; it continues to this day and will continue until the end of the world. The detailed listing of the genealogies of the chief singers itself shows how much importance was attached to their skill and spiritual character, and testifies to the high standards required of them.

Among the singers Asaph is mentioned, whose psalms the Bible has preserved for us together with David's psalms. Few references to Asaph himself have survived; perhaps his life did not contain such turbulent events as David's. Yet the deepest events took place in Asaph's heart, which was directed toward the Lord, and through the psalms he composed we can touch something of his spiritual character.

The Levites, having no territory of their own, seemed to receive one after each of the tribes of Israel allotted them cities in its lands. The whole people has a stake in the Levites' service to God; therefore, their possessions are not set apart, but are found among the lands of the entire people.