The following is a worship profile from the Praise and Worship Study Bible published by Tyndale House Publishers. I highly recommend this study bible for anyone who wants to learn more about biblical worship. Let's see what we can learn from the example of the Levites:
The Levites
Corporate worship almost always requires some logistical preparation. Microphones need to be tested, music rehearsed, lighting adjusted. Many of these tasks go unnoticed by the people who gather, yet if these duties were not carried out, we would have difficulty focusing on worship during the service. In Old Testament times, the Levites assisted the priests as they prepared for the worship that took place at the Tabernacle and Temple. They assisted with worship at the Tabernacle by offering incense and grain offerings and expanded to include . celebrating with music, duties much like our worship leaders have today. The Levites' attention to the many tasks surrounding worship freed the rest of the people to focus on God.
The Levites as Worshipers
The Levites performed many of the ritual duties of worship (the offering of incense and assisting the priests in the sacrifices) and led the people in praise when they came together.
The Lord infused the Levites' praise and worship with great power. As Jehoshaphat's soldiers marched against his enemies, the Levites walked ahead of the army, singing praises to God. The enemy soldiers then turned on each other and fled in confusion.
Learning from the Levites
True worship involves both the physical (what we think and do) and the spiritual (what we feel or experience).
We can find joy and purpose in the seemingly mundane tasks that allow corporate worship to flourish. Even though few may notice or appreciate such work, our heavenly Father sees and is pleased with these offerings.
While the Levites teach us that there is a place for orderly worship, there is also a place for spontaneous praise. We need to be open to both expressions of worship and not view them as mutually exclusive.
Following the Example
The Levites' primary responsibilities were to praise the Lord and to assist the people in praising Him as well. How can we, like the Levites, help others worship God? (1) Worship leaders should incorporate new ways to honor the Lord in their worship service. This may involve reinstituting and old, yet meaningful, tradition or introducing a contemporary worship song that celebrates some facet of God's character.(2) Worship leaders should pay attention to the "mechanics" of corporate worship. Could better preparation or new ideas help worshipers focus more intently on God during the service?
Remember that worship is a verb as well as a noun; it is something we actively do. We should seek to help others worship God through their daily lives as well as during their time at church.