If we – choir members, pastor, officers, and congregation – are to grasp the Biblical reason that ought to give impetus to the choirs' service, we must begin at the beginning. Why? Because if we understand the Divine impetus underlying the institution of the music ministry, we (all) will be better steward of our gifts as it relates to the choir: choir members will serve better; church officers will provide adequate resources for the ministry; the choir leadership will be better able to motivate the choir members; and the pastor will have realistic expectations with regard to the choir's service.

Where is that beginning found? It is found in I Chronicles 25.1, where the choir ministry is instituted. Here we see that the members of the choir were separated unto the children of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to engage in a specific work – to prophesy accompanied by musical instruments. They sung the Word of God to the people of God and were accompanied by music as they did so. In addition, we also know from the Record that they performed their duties as singer/prophets in groups. This is most certainly a prototypical picture of a choir.

These choirs were placed under the leadership of three persons: Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. Now most of us who have attended a few Sunday School lessons or Bible Study classes understand that in Biblical studies the number 3 and the number 1 are closely related, so that when a trinity is highlighted– such as Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun; or Body, Soul, and Spirit; or Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – God is trying to highlight multiple facets of a single entity to help us develop a multi-dimensional appreciation for that which God is presenting to us.

Just as The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost constitute ONE GOD ... and ... Body, Soul and Spirit make up ONE HUMAN BEING, so do Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun represent ONE MINISTRY. Thus, the choir – those who were separated for singing – were placed in a ministry under the unified direction of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. If we are to understand the nature of the ministry of music and thus the nature of the service unto which choir members in the 21st century have been separated, we need to know something about Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun.

"Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun" ... In ancient Jewish culture, the name of a person had meaning and that meaning was considered to be a key insight into that person's character. The Jews learned this particular cultural practice from God, Who emphasized the significance of an individual's name, when taking on the name "Yahweh" (which means "the Existing One"). God also recognized the significance of human names: changing Abram's name to Abraham (which means "father of nations") and changed Sarai's name to Sarah ("princess of the multitudes"). And when God took on human flesh, God Named Divinity wrapped in humanity Jesus, which means "Savior." In Biblical times, Jewish children often were not named until after they were more than 1 year old, so as to ensure that their name matched their personality. A look at the names "Asaph," "Heman" and "Jeduthun" will help us answer the question before us: "Why does the choir sing?" Asaph, means "gatherer;" Heman, means "faithful supporter;" and Jeduthun, means "praiser." Let me suggest that there is a reason why God directed David to inaugurate the ministry of music by placing a trinity – lower case "T" – of persons at its helm and by looking at the meaning of the names of the three leaders, we may shed some light on the question of the morning: "Someone asked the question, why do we sing?"

The names "Asaph," "Heman," and "Jeduthun" will help us answer the question. And we will talk about them in greater detail in the coming months.