But if they blow only one, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall gather to you. �0Ee� ���EW�&�B��J(������D��\�ܹ����O��.���b�9h��. In fact, it is a relatively modern addition to Christian worship. However, this article is focused on placing these directions in their historical context, illuminating them against the backdrop of past practices. The Primitive Baptist church did not use instrumental music until recent days. Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy. Dear friend, the point should be clear. ", Therefore Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel. It would take away their excuse, providing a "witness" to their knowledge of their own guilt. In its primary sources, music merges with the representational arts. endstream endobj 1223 0 obj <>stream John Wesley was prominent in establishing the Methodist church, and he had profound influence on the Anglican church. endstream endobj 1222 0 obj <>stream Interestingly, the choirs and instrumental music eventually became associated with temple worship, as were all the other Levitical duties (Nehemiah 10:28, 39; 11:22). The contemporary worship may have a powerful band, equipped with electric guitars, drums, driving vocals, and other attire borrowed from modern "rock and roll". As a side note, it appears that Solomon issued similar commands in transferring the relatively new musical responsibilities of the Levites from David's tabernacle to Solomon's temple (Nehemiah 12:45). This is the sweetest and best music. endstream endobj 1221 0 obj <>stream Furthermore, he explained that it was a symbol of the true worship, not the reality. Next to Jesus, David was the greatest king to rule over Israel. The first of the two references from Genesis 4 mentions Jubal, the one who invented instrumental music. However, in the remainder of the Old Testament, over 50 references are made to instrumental music. In fact, instrumental music is a relatively modern addition to the services of those who would worship God. Prehistoric music, once more commonly called primitive music, is the name given to all music produced in preliterate cultures (), beginning somewhere in very late geological history.Prehistoric music is followed by ancient music in most of Europe (1500 BC) and later music in subsequent European-influenced areas, but still exists in isolated areas. With these observations in mind, the present article summarizes the history of instrumental music … In spite of David's earnestness, instrumental music was still a form of praise that was unknown to the ancient Scriptures. Closest to the time of the apostles, the Ante-Nicaean fathers (2nd and 3rd centuries) provide us the following quotes from their writings: "The one instrument of peace, the word alone by which we honor God is what we employ. Oral tradition has played a fundamental role in all ages, but in its formal sense, history--and the history of music--begins with the visual record. St. Chrysostom sharply contrasts the customs of the Christians at the time when they had full freedom with those of the Jews of the Old Testament (ibid., LV, 494-7). The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God. "It is heresy in the sphere of worship" (Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church, p.179) "psallo never occurs in the New Testament, in its radical signification, to strike or play upon an instrument." His doctrines are entrenched in the foundations of most modern Protestant denominations. The text says that he "played with all his might"; moreover, he was displeased with God’s judgment on Uzza, because it was unexpected and not understood by David. Even though this song served as a teaching tool to the benefit of future generations, like all songs of praise, it directly glorified God and exalted His name (Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52). %PDF-1.7 %���� Pope Gregory the First is supervising a group of monks as they finish copying out his new collection of tunes. A Long Interlude The sixth-century pope Gregory I implemented musical reforms in the Roman church which were to influence the western church for the next millennium. h�4�� They’re not using the sort of pens that we use today. ... To all spiritually minded Christians such aids would be as a cow-bell in a concert" (Millennial Harbinger, October 1851, p.582). Now between the giving of the Law of Moses and David's reign, only 3-5 references are made to any form of musical praise. During this ancient time, when God directly dealt with the heads of the households, the patriarchs, we find a few miscellaneous references to music: Genesis 4:21, 23; 31:27. However, as we learn later, David did not consult God on the "proper order". (Music in the Church, pp.116-118). Consequently, once the temple was destroyed, it appears that the Jews ceased using instruments of music to praise God (Psalm 137:2-4). Even though the Israelites would eventually become totally corrupt, they would still continue to teach their children this song, providing their children an opportunity to realize the evil of their parents' ways. When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. The above passage and recorded examples of the Israelites obeying this statue are the closest references that could possibly be construed as referring to instrumental music. 0 �8 Sing unto Him! No human was to directly touch the ark (Numbers 4:15-20), and when Uzza did touch it, God struck Him dead for his irreverence (II Samuel 6:6-7). However, in regard to singing and in contrast to this lack of evidence for instrumental music, we have the following clear command for the Israelites to not just sing, but to learn a specific song to sing: "Now therefore, write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel. And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kirjath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who dwells between the cherubim, where His name is proclaimed. If in the Old Testament, a specific command was required to authorize instrumental music, overriding the previous command to sing, why would a specific command not be required to override the original New Testament command to sing? finestmusic!for!worshipping!God? The point of this article is not to "prove" that instrumental music is against God’s will. Eusebius also spoke of Pliny's letter to Roman Emperor, Trajan, which states: "the Christians arose with the sun, and sang to Christ as to a god..." (Ecclesiastical History, III, p.33 - c. AD 111). �&�\�%� hE�hI6hA�Мn��8��n�?6̇%�n�ag�����\7 P��I��(C,@Uۍ�� @�>� h�4�ۊ�0�_e.wYJ&�Bz��PV�-�^d%X�V�Yh�~ǘ���̗I&�F@A2 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Not much. endstream endobj 1218 0 obj <>stream For example, the following errors are recorded for our learning: Other illustrations could be provided, but these are the most dramatic and illustrative of the point desiring to be made, which is that David often did what he wanted to do without thinking to "inquire of the Lord". He said to them, "You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. The second verse contains the first transcribed song, although it is unrelated to worship. When you sound the advance the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey; they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys. The papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. In 1888, John L. Girardeau, a professor at the Presbyterian Columbia Theological Seminary, wrote Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church to explain to his students why the Presbyterian church had previously rejected instrumental music. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are from the New King James Version, copyright © 1994 The New Testament Scriptures contain sufficient instruction in worshiping God through music. \qX,Ⱥk�!�uiF�*`�2T���qL�7��V��Ks�)��9��kIw�hC�K� �H�c>����f�g̍=��&!��Y���2�#���M9^���4(k����11�1BAM��O/���X���_M]�,n���L���V��� What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical prettiness of a quartet, the refined niceties of a choir, or the blowing off of wind from the inanimate bellows and pipes! Therefore, any command given to David to use instrumental music has long lost its power to authorize us to do the same. iv! Accordingly, in all the churches of God, we send up a unison melody" (Comments on Psalm 91, 3rd century). It is rare that one stumbles across a church practicing congregational, "a cappella" music. He offered his opinion on instrumental music in this way: "I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels provided they are neither heard nor seen" (quoted in Adam Clarke's Commentary at Amos 6:5). No instrument is like the human voice.... David appears to have had a peculiarly tender remembrance of the singing of the pilgrims, and assuredly it is the most delightful part of worship and that which comes nearest to the adoration of heaven. Although Alexander Campbell opposed the acceptance of denominations and left the Baptist church because of such views, he became influential in what has become known as the "restoration movement". Zwingli accomplished the following reformation in Zurich, Switzerland, because he believed that all things not expressly authorized by the Bible should be abolished: "The churches of the city were purged of pictures, relics, crucifixes, altars, candles, and all ornaments. For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.". We should make our decisions based on Scripture, not history. A peer to Eusebius, John Chrysostom, explained: "It was only permitted to the Jews as sacrifice was for the heaviness and grossness of their souls. Now this behavior was not ultimately characteristic of David, because it was not typical of David's overall life (I Samuel 22:10; 23:2-4; 30:8; II Samuel 2:1; 5:19-23; 21:1). History records that Zwingli, and others, swiftly destroyed the church instruments as Catholic innovations and perversions, after their rise to power and influence. According to the historical record of Scripture, the Jews practiced singing, but no approved example is provided of instrumental music. For this purpose were used the psalms of the Old Testament, and partly hymns composed expressly for this object, especially hymns of praise and of thanks to God and to Christ, such having been known to Pliny, as in customary use among the Christians of his time" (General Church History, I:414). How do we know that David introduced instrumental music? And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. The "Battle of the Bands" was an early church example of the power of music to influence a people's spiritual direction. There were no photocopiers or computer printers, so every piece of music had to be copied out by hand. Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. (Summa Theologica). In his comments on the Psalms, he writes: ""Praise the Lord with the harp."