Topical Bible: Harp: Discordant

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The harp, an ancient stringed instrument, holds a significant place in biblical history and literature. Traditionally associated with harmony, worship, and divine inspiration, the harp is often depicted as an instrument of praise and joy. However, the concept of a "discordant harp" introduces a metaphorical exploration of disharmony and spiritual dissonance within the biblical narrative.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The harp is frequently mentioned in the Bible as an instrument of worship and celebration. In 1 Samuel 16:23, David plays the harp to soothe King Saul, illustrating the instrument's power to bring peace and harmony: "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him."

In contrast, the notion of a discordant harp can be seen as a symbol of spiritual dissonance or moral corruption. This metaphorical use is not explicitly stated in the scriptures but can be inferred from passages that describe the consequences of turning away from God. For instance, in Amos 5:23, God expresses His displeasure with the Israelites' insincere worship: "Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the music of your harps."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the discordant harp serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of sin and disobedience. Just as a harp out of tune produces jarring sounds, a life out of alignment with God's will results in spiritual discord. This concept is echoed in Isaiah 24:8, where the joy of music is silenced due to the people's transgressions: "The joyful tambourines have ceased; the noise of revelers has stopped; the joyful harp is silent."

The discordant harp also serves as a reminder of the importance of sincerity in worship. In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocritical worship: "These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men." This passage underscores the idea that true worship must come from a heart aligned with God's purposes, much like a well-tuned harp produces harmonious music.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the concept of a discordant harp challenges believers to examine their own lives and worship practices. It calls for introspection and a commitment to aligning one's heart and actions with God's will. Just as a musician must regularly tune their instrument, Christians are encouraged to seek spiritual renewal and repentance to maintain harmony in their relationship with God.

The discordant harp, while not a literal biblical term, serves as a poignant metaphor for the spiritual disharmony that arises from sin and insincerity. It invites believers to strive for a life that resonates with the divine harmony intended by God, ensuring that their worship and daily conduct reflect the beauty and order of a well-tuned instrument.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 14:7
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

September 27. "The Glorious Liberty of the Children of God" (Rom. ...
... Can you sail immovable as the stars through all sorts of weather? A harp will give
out sweet music or discordant sounds as different fingers touch the strings. ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 27 the glorious liberty.htm

September 12. "The Furnace for Gold; but the Lord Trieth the ...
... wing, or as the harp string, which may be struck by a rude or clumsy hand and gives
forth a discordant sound, not from any defect of the harp, but because of ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 12 the furnace for.htm

Psalm CL.
... only that have strings: but, because in the psaltery, and harp, on account of ... the
saints of God will have their differences, accordant, not discordant, that is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cl.htm

Prayer in the Unconverted.
... Not only the possibility of such discordant prayer, but the discord itself is but ...
and blasphemy are hellish tones and vibrations from the same harp of prayer ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xli prayer in the unconverted.htm

The Power of Harmony in Relation to Prayer.
... And there are indeed among musical sounds some accordant and others discordant. ... sent
thee away with mirth and with music and with drums and a harp." [6040] But ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/1 the power of harmony.htm

The Minstrel
... high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them ... He
was in a camp; a camp where three nations mixed their discordant voices; a noisy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/the minstrel.htm

Joy Born at Bethlehem
... Man is like a harp unstrung, and the music of his soul's living strings is discordant,
his whole nature wails with sorrow; but the son of David, that mighty ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/joy born at bethlehem.htm

The Shameful Sufferer
... Every vein was a road for the hot feet of pain to travel in; every nerve a string
in a harp of agony that thrilled with the discordant wail of hell. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the shameful sufferer.htm

The Labour Ended, the Rest Begun
... For never was a harp string of so musical a sound, but that when touched by ... which
is led and attuned by Christ, in which there shall be no discordant note, and ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter lx the labour ended.htm

The First Kings.
... of God was apparent in the result; for he gradually united the discordant elements
around ... of whom Saul knew nothing before, was sent for to play upon the harp. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm