PP 707
(Patriarchs and Prophets 707)
Again the long train was in motion, and the music of harp and cornet, trumpet and cymbal, floated heavenward, blended with the melody of many voices. “And David danced before the Lord,”(2 Samuel 6:14) in his gladness keeping time to the measure of the song. (PP 707.1) MC VC
David’s dancing in reverent joy before God has been cited by pleasure lovers in justification of the fashionable modern dance, but there is no ground for such an argument. In our day dancing is associated with folly and midnight reveling. Health and morals are sacrificed to pleasure. By the frequenters of the ballroom God is not an object of thought and reverence; prayer or the song of praise would be felt to be out of place in their assemblies. This test should be decisive. Amusements that have a tendency to weaken the love for sacred things and lessen our joy in the service of God are not to be sought by Christians. The music and dancing in joyful praise to God at the removal of the ark had not the faintest resemblance to the dissipation of modern dancing. The one tended to the remembrance of God and exalted His holy name. The other is a device of Satan to cause men to forget God and to dishonor Him. (PP 707.2) MC VC
The triumphal procession approached the capital, following the sacred symbol of their invisible King. Then a burst of song demanded of the watchers upon the walls that the gates of the Holy City should be thrown open: (PP 707.3) MC VC
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in.”
Psalm 24:7.
(PP 707.4)
MC VC
A band of singers and players answered: (PP 707.5) MC VC
“Who is this King of glory?” Psalm 24:8. (PP 707.6) MC VC
From another company came the response: (PP 707.7) MC VC
“The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.”
Psalm 24:8.
(PP 707.8)
MC VC