Musical Meaning in Musical Sounds-part 2

  Musical Meaning in Musical Sounds-part 2

             If the texts of Christian music must be constant and reliable then it stands to reason that the music part of the music should be consistent with the message of the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ.  First Corinthians 14:7 teaches, “And even things without life giving (didomi, 1325) sound (phone 5456), whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction (diastole 1293) in the sounds (phthoggos 5353), how shall it be known what is piped or harped?” 

            Some explanation of the words giving sound and distinction in the sounds is in order at this point in our discussion of I Corinthians 14:7.  The words that have been translated “giving sound” are referring to musical sounds and they specifically refer to the sounds of the aulos (836) which was a type of flute or pipe and the kithara (2788) which was a hand held lyre.  As Bible music historians know, both of these instruments were pitch producing instruments which were capable of playing accurate musical melodies.  With this knowledge in mind one can understand the meaning of the Greek words diastole and phthoggos which were translated “distinction in the sounds” in the AV.  The word diastole means distinction or accurateness and the word phthoggos means the musical notes being played.  

Thought for the Day 

If distinction of sounds made a difference during St. Paul’s lifetime, I see no reason to deny that how a Christian musician produces sound makes a difference today.