Hezekiah's Revival

Hezekiah became king in Judah when he was twenty-five years old. Hezekiah was a good king, who tried very hard to obey the Lord and to restore his land to the worship of the one true God. And, as had been promised in Deuteronomy 11, following God in humble obedience brought Hezekiah God's blessing.

"He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth." (2 Kings 18:5-7a)

"And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered." (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)

As Hezekiah worked to reinstate the worship of God in the temple, we find that he placed great importance on restoring the music program. It is interesting to note that it was his concern to obey God that prompted his actions. Hezekiah realized that the command to perform music, both vocal and instrumental, as part of the worship ceremony, was originally given by God Himself.

"And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped." (2 Chronicles 29:25-30)

As Hezekiah led the people of Judah in this great revival, music played an important role in expressing the condition of their hearts. Notice that the singers "sang praises with gladness." A right relationship with God produces joy, as well as humility.

A humble, joyous, walk with God that produces a song of praise and an attitude of worship is certainly a great indication of revival in the heart!