INTRODUCTION
Music was an important part of the worship system of the Old Testament. God was very specific in describing exactly how he wanted to be worshipped. He did not leave it up to the choice of the Israelites, or leave it to chance. God specified the very way in which He wished to be worshipped. Nadab and Abihu are classic examples of the importance that God placed on how he was worshipped. They worshipped God in a way that He had not told them too, and God killed them as a result. (Lev. 10:1-3)
The purpose of this paper is to determine how music was used in the Old Testament, if the way music was used in the Old Testament applies to the Church, and what are the implications thereof. Even though the Old Testament was part of the Old Covenant, and the Temple was a part of the old “worship system” there is much that the Church can gain from studying the use of music in the Old Testament, specifically the temple.
How Music was used in the Old Testament.
Music is seen throughout the Old Testament. From the Peneteuch through the prophets, there are numerous mentions, and allusions of music. The first time music is referred to in the Bible is when Jubal, the descendent of Cain, is introduced as the father of all who play the harp and the organ. (Gen 4:21) However, just because it is the first mention of music, does not necessarily make Jubal the inventor of music. We know that God sings, (Zeph 3:17) and this seems to imply that “music has existed as long as He (God) has been and He did not have a beginning.”[1]
Music in celebrations
Music is used often in the Old Testament in celebrations, both religious and secular. It is used to celebrate the coronation of Solomon (1 Kings 1:40-41)[2], Joash (2 Kings 11:14, 2 Chron 23:18), and Jehu (2 Kings 9:13). Victories in war are also celebrated using Music, specifically those of David and Saul. (1 Sam 18:6-7, 21:11, 29:5)
Music is also used in religious celebrations. It was used to celebrate the dedication of the temple, (2 Chron 5:12-13, 7:6) the return of the Ark to the temple (2 Sam 6:5, 15, 1 Chron 13:8, 15-16), the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s time (Neh 12:27-47), and the laying of the foundation of the temple (Ezra 3:10-11). It is also used to celebrate the Passover (2 Chron 35:15,25) and the feast of unleavened bread. (2 Chron 29:30).
Musical Instrument (Trumpet) Used as a Signal
The trumpet, which is a musical instrument, was used often in scriptures as a signal. Often times it was used in times of battle. Some examples are Moses and Joshua’s battle against the Midianites, (Numbers 31:6), Ehud’s battle against the Moabites (Judges 3:27), by Gideon against the Midianites (Judges 7), and Saul against the Philistines (1 Samuel 13: 3) to name a few.
Trumpets however were not only used as signals during times of war, they were also used for civil matters, and even religious reasons. At Mount Sinai a trumpet was used as the signal to tell the children of Israel to approach unto the mountain (Exod 19:13-19, 20:18). It was also used to call the congregation together (Num 1:2-10, and to announce the coronation of Solomon (1 Kings 1:34, 39)
Music used for Pedagogical Reasons
One of the most important things that a father was to do was to teach his children about their God, and all He had done for them. We see the importance that God places on teaching the people even in music. God instructed Moses to teach the people a song before He died that would remind them, when they were suffering the judgment of God, that they were at fault for their dire circumstances. (Deut 31:19-30) This song was to teach the people the result of disobeying their God and straying from Him. Moses gave a song to the children of Israel to remind the people of the covenant that they had made with God, and the consequences, either good or bad, of their behavior regarding the covenant. (Deut 34)
Music in Worship/Praise
In the Old Testament there are many examples of music used in worship, both good and bad. In Exodus 32:18 Moses heard the voice of the children of Israel singing, and found them worshiping a golden calf that Aaron had built for them. Also in Daniel 3 music was used in the false worship of the idol that Nebechenezzer built of himself. So in both these instances is seen that music was used in false systems of worship, and therefore is not music that is edifying or satisfactory to God.
However, there also are instances of music used in worship of the true God. In Exodus 15 we see a song that Moses and the children of Israel sang to God in praise for the deliverance that He gave them in the crossing of the Red Sea. About worship in this passage Wm. J. McRae writes, “Three salient elements of genuine worship emerge from the Song of Redemption in Exodus 15. First, worship acknowledges the worth of God. Second, worship may be expressed in music. Third, worship is reserved for the redeemed.”[3] Other instances of music used in worship when the children of Israel praised God for providing them water (Num 21:17), and praise for victory in battle (2 Samuel 22, Judges 5:1-12)
While there are very few direct references to the music used in the Temple worship, there is ample evidence that it was used. David appointed many Levites to be singers and musicians in the tabernacle. In 1 Chronicles 23:5 David appointed 4000 musicians to play instruments in the temple. Also an entire chapter is devoted to numbering the musicians David appointed to worship in the temple. (1 Chron 25) In addition these temple musicians are mentioned during the reign of Josiah (2 Chron 34:12) and during the return to Jerusalem with Ezra (Ezra 7:7, 24). It is of interest to note that these musicians were Levites, whose sole job in the temple seemed to revolve around music. It was not just a afterthought, but rather an important part of the worship system of the Temple.
Summary of Music Uses
Music had a variety of uses in the Old Testament. From basic uses such as trumpets being used as a signal, to teaching, to worship, music was used in a variety of ways throughout the O.T. One cannot help but realize that to God, music was important. Why else would it be mentioned so often throughout scripture? The Psalms for example are a book of songs for the people of Israel.[4] Rather than just something to fill time, Music was an integral part of Worship in the Old Testament. We also see that one can use music in wrong ways, such as idolatry, as well as right ways, such as worshiping God.
Applications for the New Testament Church
The Use of Instruments
What does the way music was used in the Old Testament have to do with the way it is used in the New Testament? James D. Bales for example argues in part that the temple and its ordinances were a carnal system of worship, that has been replaced by the spiritual worship system of the New Testament church. He further argues that the use of instruments is not allowed in churches, for they are a part of the carnal temple worship and have no place in the new spiritual worship system.[5] He says that because we are under the New Covenant we cannot use instruments in our worship, for just as circumcision was abolished, sacrifices were done away with, and infant membership is not true of the New Covenant as it was of the Old Covenant, so also are instruments. Because Christ (or the New Testament) has not authorized the use of instruments in worship, we are forbidden from using them.[6]
However this line of reasoning seems to fly in the face of not only logic, but scriptural principles as well. First of all, circumcisions, and its counterpoint in the N.T. baptism, are marks of identification, not methods of worship. Second, just because it is not mentioned, does not necessarily mean it is wrong. Bales argues that if you allow instruments because they are not forbidden in scriptures, then you must also allow infant baptism because it is not forbidden either.[7] This however is confusing ordinances of the church with methods of worship, which are not the same! Baptism is an ordinance of the church, music is a form by which God is worshipped. We are given very clear instructions in regard to how and when someone is to be baptized (after salvation). We are not given any such instruction regarding the use of music in the church. Finally, the New Covenant is not a new law that Christ has subjected us to. Rather it is the fulfillment of the law. God did not exchange one law for another, rather he fulfilled the law in grace, and to promulgate the idea that the New Covenant is just a new system of rules to obey is a dangerous thing indeed.
On the other end of the spectrum Peter Masters argues that the Old Testament only allows three instruments to be used in worship: The harp, psaltery, and cymbals. And not only that, but only a few were used in the worship service.[8] But it is hard to see how this makes sense when one realizes that David appointed 4000 Levites to praise with the instruments he had made. Why would he have 4000 musicians and only use a small portion of them? Also, while it is true that those three instruments are the only ones mentioned in connection with temple worship, they are not mentioned in the law, but rather the historical books. Unlike many other areas of worship, there is no “thus sayeth the Lord” regarding what instruments are allowed to be used in worship. The passages he uses are not prescriptive, rather they are descriptive. They are just telling us how it was done, not how it must be done. Their is a difference between the two that must be noticed and understood.
The truth is somewhere in between these two views. While the Old Testament use of Music is useful to the church, it does not dictate to her either. Through the Old Testament is learned the purpose for music in worship, the importance of music in worship, and the variety of uses for music. However, today men have invented instruments that the Old Testament saints could not have even dreamed of, such as the piano, the organ, etc, and to restrict the church to just those instruments mentioned as used in the temple seems to put the believer back under the law from which she was freed. Neither Masters nor Bales have it right. While it is true the believer is no longer to worship according to the temple system, this does not eliminate every aspect of that worship. Likewise, just because it was done that way in the temple, does not mean that is the only way it should be done today.
Lessons on Worship from the Old Testament
Dr. Milo Thompson identifies three lessons that can be learned from the Old Testament for the use of music in worship today. First, Music should be a reflection of the creator who created man in his image. That is, to create. Unlike God, however, man cannot create from nothing, but rather takes what God has given him and creates from that. Second, Music can be used in a negative way as seen in the false worship at Sinai and in Daniel. Third, and most importantly however, is that Music can and should be played to glorify, praise and honor God.[9]
McRae gives another important lesson learned from the Old Testament. Regarding the song Moses sang when delivered from the Egyptians through the Red Sea McRae writes, “When the Spirit of God is in control, worship begins with God. It is because He is highly exalted that Israel worships. It is because He has gloriously triumphed that they sang unto Him. Here is where true worship always begins. Self and blessings are forgotten. God and his glory alone are seen.” [10] Later in his article he writes that the focus of a hymn ought to be the Lord, for true worship is focused on God’s sufficiency, rather then man’s needs. [11]
CONCLUSION
It has been seen that music is used prevalently throughout the Old Testament. It was used in celebrations, both religious and secular, it was used as a signal, for war, civic, and even religious purposes, it was used in worship, both true and false, and it was used to praise God for all He had done for his people. While the Old Testament ‘s use of music is very important when determining the way to use music in the church, one must be careful not to raise up the Old Testament methods of using music to such a pedestal that there is no room for creativity, or variety. However, one must also be careful not to dismiss the Old Testament methods as out of date, because they were part of the Old Covenant, and have no place in the New Covenant. Both views show an misunderstanding of how a Christian is to look at the Old Testament. Masters seemed to want to almost place Christianity back under the temple worship system, where music was concerned, whereas Banes wanted to not only free us from the Old Testament methods, but also prohibit us from their use of instruments in worship.
The most important lesson to learn from this study is that music is a powerful median with which to worship God, which He has ordained as such. However, one must be careful that what they call “worship” is truly worship. As seen from Exodus 15, worship ought to focus on God, not on man. Yes, God has done incredible things for each individual, and it is good to thank Him for those things, but when a body of believers gets together to worship, they ought to focus on God, rather then on their specific blessings from God. God is to be lifted up and man abased, for is this not what worship is truly about?
[1] Leanord J. Seidel, God’s New Song (Springfield: Grace Unlimited Publications, 1980) p. 2 quoted in Michael S. Doney ,” A Bible Philosophy of Music For the Local New Testament Church” (Graduate Paper, Pensacola Christian College, 1985) 6
[2] Frank Garlock, Biblical Music Concordance (Greenville, SC Majesty Music, Inc., 1991) the author of this paper is greatly indebted to this resource for helping locate all references to music in Scripture. All following scripture references were found using this tool.
[3] Wm. J. McRae, The Nature of True Worship, (Bibliotheca Sacra, Winter 1997) 224
[4] While a thorough treatise of the Psalms is not in the scope of this paper, such a study is a fruitful way in which to understand the music of the O.T. and to see examples of how music can be used to worship God.
[5]James D Bales Instrumental Music and New Testament Worship (Searcy, AR: Resource Publications, 1973) 11-12
[6] Ibid, 17-21
[7] Ibid, 311-312
[8] Peter Masters, Worship in the Melting Pot (London: The Wakeman Trust, 2002
[9] Dr. Milo Thompson An Old Testament View of the Ministry of Music
[10] McRae, 225
[11] Ibid, 231
Musings on Church Music 