Musical Sound Communicates Meaning Part 20

Musical Sound Communicates Meaning Part 20

            Before we finish this discussion on musical sounds, we must consider 1Corinthians 14:15-16 “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?”  The word understanding is translated from the Greek word nous (3563) which means with the intellect or mind.  The writer of the first letter to the Corinthian Christens was careful to include pneuma (4151) and nous as essential when musicing unto God.

           Although musicing under the divine influence of the Holy Spirit was and still is the sine qua non of musicing unto God, musical understanding is also a vital part of sacred music.  Without belaboring the point further, I believe that this musical reference to musical understanding is a Bible principle of musicing unto God.  Why would St. Paul instruct the Corinthian Christians to music with understanding if he knew that it incapable of communicating any meaning whatsoever?

            We should also be reminded that although this part of his letter was a discussion of clear speech in a language; he used a musical reference to explain his point. I see absolutely no reason to believe that his reference was restricted exclusively to singing alone.  I base my belief on his choice of Greek words.  The word used in this verse is psallo (5567) not ode (103).  Psallo means literally to touch the strings of a musical instrument which connotes the production of instrumental musical sounds.  Ado refers to singing.  If he had not intended to refer to singing and instrumental sound he would no doubt have used the word ado. Again I am drawn by this Bible principle of musicing to conclude that St. Paul was saying, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that music communicates meaning which is absolutely essential to having musical understanding.

            So, in conclusion we are brought back to the thought that every Christian musician has the responsibility to “know” what the “joyful sound’ is and to make continuing distinctions between sacred and profane religious music.  Also, every Christian musician must music unto one another and unto God with only non-carnal sounds...  I will bring this discussion to an end with the admonitions found in Ephesians 5:15-19,  "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."