Meditations on Musical Worship

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 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 9
Because the law given by Moses was a test of the natural man’s ability to meet God’s holy standards, everything depended upon his doing something. Then—under law—worship and praise were characterized by the five senses: sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing.
1. The Israelites had a magnificent temple built of great, costly stones and covered with pure gold -something they could see.
2. The high priest wore a beautiful robe for glory and beauty. It was made with materials that not only could be seen; they could be felt.
3. The priests burned sweet incense every morning. This sweet fragrance was, among other things, also used to anoint the priest. Its odor could be smelled.
4. The priests, after offering meal-offerings, sin-offerings and peace-offerings were to eat them-something they could taste.
5. Certain Levites were appointed to be singers, accompanied by musical instruments such as cymbals, psalteries and harps - which was for the hearing. This form of praise was heard.
The history of man seeking to please God is one of utter failure. The final proof of it is seen when He sends His well-beloved Son into the world, and the world rejects and casts Him out. Those who have believed are made a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) JND). Such a one is able to appreciate that which is spiritual (1 Cor. 2:1414But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)).
Today—the day of grace—Christian worship and praise is spiritual rather than physical in character:
1. The Christian himself is part of the temple of God (see Eph. 2:19-2219Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19‑22)), in which the Holy Spirit dwells. His body, also, is individually the dwelling-place of the Spirit (1 Cor. 6:1919What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)). In Ephesians 2:19-2219Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19‑22) we learn that the believer is part of that building whose foundation is Christ - a building that is growing, one which cannot be physically seen.
2. The Christian’s clothing is the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:1414But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:14)), which is called the righteousness of saints (Rev. 19:88And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (Revelation 19:8)) - not a physical garment.
3. The sweet-smelling fragrance offered to God is Christ (Eph. 5:22And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. (Ephesians 5:2)) - not a physical smell.
4. What the Christian tastes is the graciousness of the Lord (1 Peter 2:33If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:3)) - not a physical taste.
5. The Christian’s music is an overflowing heart of praise to God (Eph. 5:1919Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)) by Christ (Heb. 13:1515By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)) - no instruments can be heard.
First Peter 2:5 summarizes this: “Ye also as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:1919Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)).
S. Klassen (adapted)