Here in Revelation—along with jubilant songs (Revelation 5:9; 14:3; 15:3)—is the temple music that reminds us of David. But, far better than harps of David, these are “harps of God” (Revelation 15:2).
When He [Christ the Lamb] had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:8-9)
Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:1-3)
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!” (Revelation 15:2-3)
What magnificent praise, and how worthy! Each glorious event takes place in the very presence of God. Each scene depicts God’s throne room. (Compare Revelation 5:1, 6, 7; 14:3; 15:2 with 4:6. The group on “Mount Zion” turns out to be singing “before the throne” Revelation 14:3 cf. Revelation 4:2.) If earthly music moves you, just imagine the effect of the harps of God. Can we even begin to imagine the music of heaven? May God give us that experience to enjoy forever. May we too “sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!’” (Revelation 15:3).