Topical Bible: Music: Divided Into: Instrumental

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Introduction

Music holds a significant place in the biblical narrative, serving as a means of worship, celebration, and expression of emotion. Instrumental music, in particular, is frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, highlighting its importance in both religious and cultural contexts. This entry explores the role and significance of instrumental music in the Bible, drawing from various passages to illustrate its use and purpose.

Old Testament

Instrumental music is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with worship and the presence of God. The use of instruments in worship is first mentioned in Genesis 4:21, where Jubal is described as "the father of all who play the harp and flute." This early reference indicates the longstanding tradition of instrumental music among God's people.

The Book of Psalms, a central text for understanding biblical music, frequently mentions instruments. Psalm 150:3-5 exhorts believers to "praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with the strings and flute. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals." This passage underscores the variety of instruments used in worship and the exuberant nature of musical praise.

King David, a pivotal figure in the history of Israel, was a skilled musician and composer. He played the harp to soothe King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23), demonstrating the power of instrumental music to influence emotions and bring peace. David also organized the Levitical musicians, assigning them to play instruments in the temple worship (1 Chronicles 15:16), thus institutionalizing instrumental music in the religious life of Israel.

The dedication of Solomon's Temple was marked by a grand display of instrumental music. In 2 Chronicles 5:12-13 , the Levites, "all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets." This event highlights the role of instrumental music in significant religious ceremonies.

New Testament

While the New Testament places a greater emphasis on vocal music, instrumental music is not absent from its pages. The Book of Revelation provides a glimpse into the heavenly worship, where instrumental music plays a part. Revelation 5:8 describes the twenty-four elders holding "harps and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." This imagery suggests the continuity of instrumental music in the worship of God, both on earth and in heaven.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Instrumental music in the Bible is not limited to worship alone; it also plays a role in cultural and social settings. Instruments were used in celebrations, such as weddings and festivals, as seen in Isaiah 5:12 : "They have lyres and harps, tambourines and flutes, and wine at their feasts." This reflects the broader cultural appreciation for music as a source of joy and festivity.

In times of war, instrumental music served as a means of communication and motivation. The sounding of trumpets, for example, was used to signal movements and rally troops, as seen in Numbers 10:9 : "When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies."

Conclusion

Instrumental music in the Bible is a multifaceted expression of worship, celebration, and communication. Its presence in both the Old and New Testaments underscores its enduring significance in the life of God's people. Through the use of various instruments, biblical music reflects the creativity and devotion of those who seek to honor God with their talents and gifts.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 6:18
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That the Mind Works by Means of the Senses.
... 1. As the mind then produces the music of reason by means of our instrumental
construction, we ... is one, as the same object is divided into several parts ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/x that the mind works.htm

Degrees of Enjoyment through the Glorified Senses.
... precisely in those parts where the uneducated perceive little or no beauty, because
the music is too ... We have divided these persons into three classes, but ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xv degrees of enjoyment.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... period, the use of instrumental music was unknown in the Church. [217:1]. The Jews
divided the Pentateuch and the writings of the Prophets into sections, one of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

The British Advance, 1801-1856.
... "The music taught," said Christian Ignatuis La Trobe, "is both vocal and instrumental;
the former ... the rule of the UEC, was to be divided into three independent ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter v the british advance.htm

The Lord Reigneth
... But do the professed lovers of sacred music in this ... nearly connected in this world,
received into the kingdom ... of the heart, is too much divided against itself. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvi the lord reigneth.htm

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... to the Word, the Spirit would be divided against Himself. ... amazing love as we shall
be searching into and adoring ... of God's children is as sweet to him as music. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

Missionary Hymns.
... Master Leads against the foe; Forward into battle, See ... the saints have trod; We are
not divided, All one ... Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan, Doctor of Music, who wrote ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter iv missionary hymns.htm

The General Conference of 1820
... and partly because of its being divided into two books ... be considered as a standard
of music for our ... practicable, our people from running heedlessly into debt in ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

On the Public Shows.
... whether in poems, or in instrumental music, or in ... with extreme mobility,"their members
divided through the ... with the nights distributed into hourly periods ...
/.../on the public shows.htm

In Judaea
... In general, the Mishnah divided Judaea proper into three parts ... to which, after their
migration into Galilee, the ... who took part in the instrumental music of the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm