There may not be another character in the Bible quite as intriguing as David. I would dare say that in all of Scripture there wasn’t anyone as gifted as David. Many who know anything about David would automatically mention his victory over Goliath or his sin with Bathsheba. However, there is much more to the life and story of David.
I want us to notice these words concerning David: “Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1). David was the son of Jesse, raised up on high, favored and anointed of God. Finally, he was the sweet psalmist of Israel.
Notice that his illustrious life doesn’t include his extraordinary exploits and endeavors. There isn’t a mention of killing lions, bears and giants. Nothing is written concerning his leadership of a nation, or the reign of his throne. But I want us to notice what was said about David: he was the sweet psalmist of Israel. These last words of David found in 2 Samuel 22 and 23 are a song. David wanted to be remembered as a psalmist, one who had a song in his heart, and praise on his lips. He didn’t want to be remembered as a giant killer, instead he wanted to be remembered as a worshiper.
The greatest service that David wrought for Israel was not on the battlefield, in the strategy room, or the throne room. David’s greatest service were the psalms he wrote. He wrote at least seventy-five of the psalms found in the Bible. In the New Testament there at least sixty-nine references to the Book of Psalms.
Before David killed a giant, or wore a crown upon his head he was found with a harp in his hand. Before David carried a sling or a sword, he learned how to carry a tune. For instance, when an evil spirit tormented King Saul they would call for David to come play for him (1 Sam. 16:17-18). David played his harp and sang his songs to a troubled soul. As David played before the Lord, the evil spirits began to depart. Beloved, there’s more power in your praise and worship than a thousand swords.
David didn’t leave behind a manual on how to handle a sling, wield a sword, or hold a shield. David didn’t leave behind book on how to lead a winning army. David didn’t write a bestselling book on how to be a successful king and leader. What David left behind was a way to be worshiper, no matter the season of life that you are in. David left behind seventy-five songs of worship. In other words, he left behind a legacy of worship.
We may not accomplish much in the secular world. We may not be immortalized in the annals of history. But we can be remembered as worshipers. What could be better than that?