"In praising and thanking the Lord." Yea, you have their very words: "For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever." It was thus the people were engaged when the cloud came down and filled the house. They had been engaged in many other most affecting duties. The Levites had been carrying the ark from Mount Zion and placing it under the wings of the Cherubim; Solomon and all his people had been offering sacrifices, sheep and oxen, which could not be told for multitude - still no answer came from heaven. But when the trumpeters and singers were as one praising and thanking the Lord, when they lifted up their voices, saying; "For he is good; for His mercy endureth forever" - then the windows of heaven were opened - then the cloud came down and filled the whole temple. My dear flock, I am deeply persuaded that there will be no full, soul-filling, heart-ravishing, heart-satisfying, outpouring of the Spirit of God till there be more praise and thanking the Lord, let me stir up your hearts to praise." -Robert Murray McCheyne