A Prescriptive Approach-Part 8

A Prescriptive Approach-Part 8

What are some principles of music found in the Bible?  Vocal music was most important since it was a vehicle for the word of Jehovah to ride into the hearts of the worshiper.  The instruments used to accompany vocal music were mostly string instruments that would not cover up the words.  Percussion was used but it was used to mark beginning and pauses and never used as a continuous driving beat.  Instrumental music was used for music therapy purposes.  We have every reason to believe that this instrumental music was melody oriented and produced a pleasing beautiful, restful effect on the listener.  We have absolutely no reason to believe that it was ugly, raucous or harsh sounding.  There were two species of music mentioned in the Bible, men’s music, which was controlled by melody and words, and women’s music, which was controlled by rhythm.  The use of women’s music is nowhere traceable in either the first or second Temple.

            Not all music was considered appropriate for public worship.  There were many instruments mentioned in the Bible but only some of them were used in Temple worship.  Some music was no doubt used for sensual purposes including harlotry.  Loud music was played at funerals by the hired professional mourners.

       A word by word study of dance in the Bible reveals that most of the references do not refer to any type of religious dancing.  Some of the dancing was used specifically for idol worship and some of it was possible used for human sacrifices.  Dancing and furious drum beating was certainly never used in the Temple in the worship of Jehovah and dancing or rhythmic movement is nowhere traceable in the first or second Temple.

       Although some secular music was used for improper purposes, not all references to secular music in the Bible were considered improper.  The term “joyful noise” of the authorized version is most unfortunate since the Hebrew word translated “joyful noise” meant with power, acclamation and great joy, NOT NOISE.  However, the Bible does say in Ezekiel 26:13, “And I will cause the noise (hamown 1995) of thy songs to cease...” and Amos 5:23, “Take thou away from me the noise (hamown 1995) of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.”  The word hamown used in the aforementioned Scripture does not mean strength or joy or acclamation but rather NOISE.

Thought for the day- A Prescriptive Approach part 8

Sometimes I hear Christians indicate that if a person becomes a Christian he or she will not have problems in this life.  Christians will have problems, but God will see them through their problems.  I used to tell my college choir and Symphonic wind and string ensemble members, "Serving Jesus Christ is not always hippity-hop over the top."  However, it is worth it regardless of how things are going for a Christian.