articlesforchristians

Music has been around and important since basically the beginning of time. The first mention os musical instruments is in Genesis.  Genesis 4:19-21Lamech took for himself two wives; the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal; he became the father of those [nomadic herdsmen] who live in tents and have cattle and raise livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he became the father of all those [musicians] who play the lyre and flute.

Music has been a part of worship for Godly people and pagans for thousands of years. Even in the ancient times people knew that music had power. When Saul, the king of Israel, was tormented by evil spirits they looked to music for help. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and terrified him. Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the harp; and when the evil spirit from God is on you, he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.” So Saul told his servants, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a brave and competent man, a warrior, discerning (prudent, eloquent) in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him.” So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the flock.” Jesse took a donkey [loaded with] bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul with David his son. Then David came to Saul and attended him. Saul loved him greatly and [later] David became his armor bearer. Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Please let David be my attendant, for he has found favor in my sight.” So it came about that whenever the [evil] spirit from God was on Saul, David took a harp and played it with his hand; so Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Early in King David’s reign he set up a music ministry. There is a lengthy discussion of who did what in 1 Chronicles chapter 6.  1 Chronicles 6:31-32 Now these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark [of the covenant] rested there.  They ministered with singing before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon had built the Lord’s house (temple) in Jerusalem, performing their service in due order. 

It was understood during this time that there is more than one type of music. Some music is bad and some is good. Psalms 69:12 says, “They who sit in the [city’s] gate talk about me and mock me,
And I am the song of the drunkards.” Apparently, a type of bar or drinking music is nothing new. Now look at Psalms 81:1-4 Sing aloud to God our strength; Shout for joy to the God of Jacob (Israel). Raise a song, sound the timbrel, The sweet sounding lyre with the harp. Blow the trumpet at the New Moon, At the full moon, on our feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, An ordinance of the God of Jacob. This indicates that there was music for the feasts of God. I am certain that the music played and the songs sung at God’s feasts was obviously different from the songs sung and the music for the drunkards. In Psalms 119:54 it says, “Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.” Statutes in this verse is another word for commandments.

Modern research indicates that it is easier to learn information set to music. Throughout history music has been important to the spread of the scriptures. In the time of David, the statutes were song. Paul taught that we should teach and instruct by singing the word of God.

Now more than ever we need to be mindful of what we sing. Music should be used to teach scriptural truths to everyone possible. Our worship services should be filled with music that teaches the Word/ Statutes of God.