Topical Bible: Music: Appointed to be Used in the Temple

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Topical Encyclopedia

Music holds a significant place in the worship practices of ancient Israel, particularly in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem. The use of music in the Temple was not merely an artistic expression but a divinely appointed element of worship, integral to the liturgical life of the Israelites.

Biblical Foundation and Instructions

The establishment of music in the Temple worship is closely associated with King David, who, under divine inspiration, organized the Levitical musicians. In 1 Chronicles 15:16, David commands the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to "raise their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals." This directive underscores the importance of music as a joyful and communal expression of worship.

David's organization of the Temple musicians is further detailed in 1 Chronicles 25:1-7, where he, along with the commanders of the army, sets apart the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying with lyres, harps, and cymbals. This passage highlights the prophetic nature of music, suggesting that it was not only for praise but also for conveying divine messages.

Role of the Levites

The Levites were specifically appointed to oversee the musical aspects of Temple worship. According to 2 Chronicles 5:12-13, during the dedication of Solomon's Temple, the Levites, who were musicians, stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The harmonious blend of voices and instruments was a powerful expression of worship, culminating in the glory of the LORD filling the house of God.

Instruments and Singing

The instruments used in the Temple were diverse, including harps, lyres, cymbals, and trumpets. These instruments were not chosen arbitrarily but were part of a structured and organized system of worship. The use of trumpets, for instance, is prescribed in Numbers 10:10 for days of rejoicing, appointed feasts, and the beginning of months, indicating their role in marking sacred times and events.

Singing was also a crucial component of Temple music. The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David, served as the hymnbook of the Temple. Psalm 150:3-5 exhorts worshipers to "praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals." This psalm encapsulates the exuberant and comprehensive nature of musical worship in the Temple.

Spiritual Significance

Music in the Temple was not merely for aesthetic enjoyment but was deeply spiritual, intended to honor God and facilitate a connection between the divine and the worshipers. It was a means of expressing reverence, gratitude, and adoration, as well as a vehicle for teaching and proclaiming God's truths. The prophetic aspect of music, as seen in the ministry of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, underscores its role in conveying divine revelation and guidance.

Legacy and Influence

The tradition of Temple music set a precedent for Christian worship practices, where music continues to play a vital role in congregational life. The structure and purpose of music in the Temple serve as a model for the use of music in worship settings, emphasizing order, reverence, and the centrality of glorifying God. The legacy of Temple music is evident in the continued use of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in Christian liturgy, reflecting the enduring impact of this divinely appointed practice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 23:5,6
Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 25:1
Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 29:25
And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.
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Library

The Charge of the Watchers in the Temple
... are, 'The Lord bless thee.' No doubt, when used in the ... for Him and doing the work
which He appointed us; and ... but bids us fill the night with music and with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the charge of the watchers.htm

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... The word here translated "thoughts" is generally used to signify ... Moses appointed
one yearly ... v.5. There were probably night services of sacred music held in the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xii circumcision temple service and.htm

How Herod Celebrated the Games that were to Return Every Fifth ...
... presently, in order to its dedication; for he had appointed a contention in music,
and games ... most chargeable of such sports and shows as used to be ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how herod celebrated.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... of our gospel ministers, who are the men appointed by Jesus ... square wood for the building
of the temple; so a ... gospel now is also famous, if much used by Christ ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

David's Choristers
... is buried in the catalogue of the singers appointed by David ... It used to be said that
they who watched ... and devise for themselves instruments of music, like David ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/davids choristers.htm

The Passover visit
... beguiled their journey with song and music, and when ... those leaders in Israel, and
He used the only ... His mission, waiting submissively for the appointed time for ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 8 the passover visit.htm

A Miracle of Grace
... standing in the background"the people that used to meet to ... believers; and there must
have been music in heaven ... The vision is for an appointed time; though it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a miracle of grace.htm

Holy Song from Happy Saints
... by saying that sometimes on choice occasions appointed by providence ... Very different
from the songs we used to sing ... be it noticed about the saints' music that it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/holy song from happy saints.htm

Prayer --The Forerunner of Mercy
... at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens ... The word used here to express the idea of
prayer is a ... At an appointed season a sound was heard of abundance of rain, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/prayerthe forerunner of mercy.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... from the den of lions had been used of God ... and he determined to fulfill his divinely
appointed mission ... Yet mingled with the music and the shouts of praise that ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm