Music: Its Origin and Use as Recorded in Scripture
Gordon Henry Hayhoe
Table of Contents
Music
Its origin and use as recorded in Scripture.
This article is not written to condemn musical instruments, for the enjoyment of pleasant music is not wrong in its place, but it is rather to trace their use as recorded in God's Word and to seek to discover from the Scripture if they have a place in Christian worship and in drawing sinners to Christ. They definitely did have a place in Jewish worship, but even then they were never used among the heathen in the Old Testament to draw sinners to God. Men and women have at all times been "born again...by the Word of God" through the operation of the Spirit of God. (1 Peter 1:22,23). Our enjoyment of music therefore is not to be our guide in these matters, but rather the Word of God, for we read, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16,17.
A careful consideration of the introduction and use of musical instruments as recorded in the Scriptures will be helpful, one feels, in connection with our subject for we are told that "no...Scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20. We must therefore take it all together as a harmonious whole in order to get its proper scope, and thus rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). Let us consider this matter prayerfully and with hearts willing to be taught of God.
It is a rather sobering thought to consider the time when the use of musical instruments began in the world. Cain had gone out from the presence of the Lord after murdering his brother, and his son built a city where entertainment, science and business began. (Gen. 4:16-24). Jubal, one of his descendants, was the "father of all such as handle the harp and organ" (verse 21), and we read in Job 21:7-15 about their use for pleasure, and for idolatrous worship in Dan. 3:4-7. Now since we know that music has such a real effect on the senses and emotions, the question arises as to its use to produce a true change of heart—a new life in fallen man.
The first mention of the use of musical instruments in connection with the worship of the Lord is after the first singing recorded in the Bible. Moses, with the redeemed Israelites, sang redemption's song on the wilderness side of the Red Sea (Ex. 15:1-19). Now we know that God always shows His mind about a thing when He introduces it, and so this beautiful song is sung without the help of instrumental music as far as we know from Scripture. It was all about the great things the Lord had done for His people in redeeming them by blood and by power from Egypt's bondage. After this Miriam came out with the timbrel and the dance, but her song shows that she did not enter into the fullness of the blessing as Moses did. (Ex. 15:20,21).
Another instance of their use was when King Saul was met by a company of prophets playing musical instruments. Though he was an unregenerate man his emotions were wrought upon, and he joined with them and prophesied. (1 Sam. 10:5-7). This has surely happened to many unsaved men since, who being stirred by religious music, have made professions that are not real. Music always stirs the emotions. Some time after this event in Saul's life, we read of him being disobedient to the Word of God, and he was troubled by an evil spirit, but when David played the harp for him, the evil spirit departed only, however, to return later (1 Sam. 16:14-23). Music, we see here also, worked upon his senses, for Saul was not a true believer at all, and the music did not produce any change of heart, but only lifted him out of his unhappy self for a time.
We now come to the great part that music was given in connection with the temple, and that system of Jewish worship which was given and owned of God. This fact is brought out most definitely at the dedication of the temple, to which we would call particular attention here. In 2 Chron. 5:11-14, we are told about this event, and we could say without a doubt that it was the most wonderful musical event that ever took place in the world. There were one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets and musical instruments of all sorts, along with a choir, all of them arrayed in white linen. The harmony was perfect on this occasion, for we read that "the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound in praising and thanking the Lord." Moreover God showed His full approval of all this, for at the very moment when all was at its best, "the glory of the Lord...filled the house of God." We might also mention here that in keeping with this, musical instruments are often spoken of in the book of the Psalms in connection with the worship of the Lord.
Now if God approved of all this in connection with Israel's worship, why should it not be the same in Christianity? Was there a special reason why He did so at the dedication of the temple, and in the Psalms? Has there been any change in God's ways with man since that time? This, we believe is the question we should answer, and, of course, for the answer to be of any value it must come from the Word of God.
The nation of Israel was but a sample of the natural man (Amos 3:2), and it was being tried to see if it could produce any fruit for God. If there could be any change wrought in man's heart by external things, then the best means would be used to produce it (Isa. 5:1-7). If a "worldly sanctuary" would turn the heart to God, then God would give them this (Heb. 9:1-12). The beautiful temple, the robed priests, the good singers, and the grand orchestra; all that would appeal to the senses and religious instincts of man was given to Israel for this trial. Then, above all, they had the visible presence of God among them, for the glory cloud filled the house of God. Could anything more be done to draw out the natural heart to God, if indeed it could be drawn out? No! the "choice vine" only brought forth "wild grapes" and the "fig tree" produced "nothing but leaves." (Isa. 5:4, Matt. 21:17-20). When at last after long years of testing, God sent His Son, we know He was rejected by the very ones who prided themselves in the temple and its worship, and He had to say, "Behold your house is left unto you desolate." Matt. 23:38. The woman of Samaria, upon inquiring where to worship, found that when the Lord was rejected a change had come, for He said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father...but the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." John 4:21,23. What a revelation this was to a poor sinner saved by grace!
Christianity then is an entirely new thing, for the "new wine" of Christianity must be put into "new bottles" (Matt. 9:17). God is not worshipped by men's hands now (Acts 17:25), for the "first man" is entirely set aside, "crucified with Christ" Rom. 6:6. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new, And all things are of God." 2 Cor. 5:17,18. Again we read in Phil. 3:3, "We are the circumcision, which worship God in (by) the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Another Scripture says, "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle." Heb. 13:10. In these verses we learn that the old order of things has passed away, and to return to it is to say that there is some good in the flesh, even though God's trial of Israel proved there is not. The Lord Jesus said, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing." John 6:63. It was condemned and crucified before God at the cross (Rom. 8:3).
Now Christendom is slow to accept this solemn fact. They would like at least a little of the old order of things, which was given to try man in his natural state. It pleases the natural heart to have it. They therefore put the "new wine" of Christianity into the "old bottles" of Judaism. They build beautiful "church buildings", have a special order and apparel for their preachers, and in their religious services they use musical instruments and other things, all borrowed from Jewish worship (Judaism). Some Christian groups of course have more of that sort of thing than others, but if it is right to have it, then we ought to have ALL that God gave to Israel. If on the other hand it has been set aside, then it has no place in Christian worship. In this connection it is an interesting fact that on the night when the Lord Jesus instituted the feast of remembrance in the upper room, we read, "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." Matt. 26:30. The simplicity of this occasion, with no mention of musical instruments is surely worthy of note.
It may be of interest here to mention that the early Christian church did not use musical instruments for some centuries. (For details of these facts see "Instrumental Music" by C.H. Brown.) On page 14 after giving extensive evidence, he states, "In view of all the evidence cited as to the absence of music in the first seven hundred years of church history; in view of the stormy opposition it had to encounter during the next seven hundred years; and in view of the pious opposition to it well into the nineteenth century, may we not justly conclude that the history of the Church of God on earth is overwhelmingly opposed to the introduction of musical instruments into the worship and testimony of the Church?" Mr. C.H. Spurgeon and John Wesley who were earnest evangelists of the past did not use musical instruments in their service for the Lord. It is only in the last couple of centuries or less that they have become accepted and used extensively in Gospel activity.
Of course the great question for us is, "What saith the Scripture?" (Rom. 4:3). The Word of God is to be our guide, and it is important for us to observe that there is not one mention of musical instruments being used by the early church in the Acts or in the epistles, but rather about singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord. Surely if musical instruments have a place in Christian worship and service, God would have mentioned it in His word, as He has so definitely told us of their use in Judaism. Instead of this we have such Scriptures as, "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col. 3:16. And again, "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name." Heb. 13:15. God delights in such worship as this (Oh that there were more of it, for He is worthy!), but the moment we introduce anything of the ritual of Jewish worship into Christianity, we are going back to what Scripture calls "the rudiments of the world," Col. 2:20. Christianity is not an extension of Judaism, or even an improvement on it, but an entirely new thing.
Nor is there any support for the use of musical instruments in gospel work, for there is no record of any such appeal in the labors of the apostles. They simply preached the word and sang in the prison at Philippi. The Lord Jesus said, "No man can come unto Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him." John 6:44. God works by His Spirit in drawing souls to Christ, and tells us to preach the Word, leaving the results to Him. "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God...that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Cor. 1:21-31. Paul knew what people wanted, but he sought to please the Lord, counting on Him for the results. We know that God is sovereign, and works when, where, and how He pleases and we rejoice in this (Phil. 1:18), but our path is to be that of simple, unquestioning obedience to Him. We might mention at this point that we have observed that those who are saved under this mixture of Judaism and Christianity are usually slow to learn the true Christian position. Such usually want that sort of thing in all they do for the Lord.
Then there is the question of what place musical instruments could have in the Christian home. We have already noticed that the worlds of business, entertainment and science were all introduced by Cain's posterity, and as the children of God we are warned not to "love" the world, for since Christ has been rejected and cast out we see it as under the judgment of God. (John 12:31, John 17:30, 31). We are never to forget this, and even while using the world we are not to abuse it (1 Cor. 7:31), that is, we are not to be taken up with it as part of it, but only passing through. (John 17:16). Nevertheless we can enjoy our occupation in the business world as well as certain natural pleasures and inventions men have made, for we are still living in the world. But to be taken up with these things so as to be brought under their "power" (1 Cor. 6:12) would surely rob one in his soul. We can enjoy sweet music, but we must not mistake it for the fruit of the Spirit, for even a real Christian can be carried away with the melody of sound, while God values the melody in the heart. Let us learn to be temperate in all things (1 Cor. 9:25) and not abuse the liberty we have in the One who has graciously given us "all things richly to enjoy." 1 Tim. 6:17.
The use of musical instruments in the home, however, is a different matter from using them for the worship of the Lord, or to draw sinners to Him. God has given us "honey" (the sweetness of nature) and we can enjoy it in moderation (Prov. 24:13,25:16) but it had no place in the Jewish offerings (Lev. 2:11). We are not dead to nature and there are the natural joys of home life which do not have a place in worship and service to the Lord. A dear servant of the Lord wrote, "If I could put a poor sick father to sleep with music, I would play the most beautiful I could find; but it only spoils any worship as bringing in the pleasure of sense into what ought to be the power of the Spirit of God." (J.N.D. Letters, Vol. 3, page 476 S.H.).
Some have asked if there will be musical instruments in heaven, and at first reading it might appear so from Rev. 5, but I believe that Rev. 14:2,3 gives us the answer. Much of the language of the book of Revelation is figurative, as most know, and so here, it was the voice of harpers that John heard. We may be well assured that the melody of heaven will surpass the finest music we have ever heard, and nothing of man's inventions will be necessary to add to heaven's melody and joy. We learn from Ezek. 28:13 that God is able to put all the sweetness of music into the creature, for in heaven and in earth all will be to His glory and praise in that day, never to be spoiled by sin.
God has given us singing as a marvelous way by which human voices can be blended together in harmony, and we should seek His help to sing heartily and in harmony together as we make melody in our hearts to the Lord. Some of us may not be able to sing very well now, and we wish our voices were more melodious, but this is only a reminder that our home is not here. What the Lord values is the melody in the heart, but to introduce musical instruments because we cannot sing well, is really only to make things more pleasant for ourselves, and not for the Lord who knows our hearts. These limitations which many of us have, ought to make us long for the day when we shall be with and like Christ, able to praise Him as we would, without any hindrance forever.
"O Lord, we know it matters not
How sweet the song may be;
No heart but of the Spirit taught
Makes melody to Thee.
O largely give, 'tis all Thine own
The Spirit's goodly fruit:
Praise, issuing forth in life, alone
Our living Lord can suit."
If there should be an unsaved one reading these lines, may all this be a voice to you. Perhaps you sing in the choir somewhere, or play the organ for the singing of hymns, but may we warn you that unless you have come as a lost guilty sinner to the Lord Jesus, and have received Him as your Savior, you cannot make any melody in your heart to Him. The Lord Jesus said of such, "This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me." Matt. 15:8. Our prayer is that you may be brought to put your trust in Him today, and then you will sing from a full heart, the song of the redeemed, "Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood...to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." Rev. 1:5,6.
G.H.H.
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