Topical Bible: Music: Effects Produced on the Prophets of Old By

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In the biblical narrative, music holds a significant place, often serving as a medium through which divine messages are communicated and spiritual experiences are enhanced. The prophets of the Old Testament, in particular, experienced profound effects from music, which facilitated their prophetic activities and encounters with the divine.

1. Music as a Catalyst for Prophetic Inspiration

One of the most illustrative examples of music's impact on the prophets is found in the life of Elisha. In 2 Kings 3:15, Elisha calls for a musician to play for him as he seeks the word of the Lord. The passage states, "But now, bring me a harpist. And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha." . Here, music acts as a catalyst, creating an atmosphere conducive to receiving divine revelation. The playing of the harp seems to prepare Elisha's spirit, allowing him to enter a state where he can hear God's voice more clearly.

2. Music in the School of the Prophets

The use of music in the prophetic tradition is further evidenced by the activities of the "sons of the prophets." In 1 Samuel 10:5, Samuel instructs Saul that he will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with musical instruments: "After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine garrison. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying." . This scene suggests that music was an integral part of the prophetic community's practice, possibly used to induce a state of spiritual receptivity and communal worship.

3. Music and the Spirit of the Lord

The connection between music and the movement of the Spirit is also evident in the life of King David, who, though not a prophet in the traditional sense, was a psalmist and a man after God's own heart. In 1 Samuel 16:23, David plays the harp for Saul, and the evil spirit tormenting Saul departs: "And 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." . This account highlights music's power to influence spiritual realms, bringing peace and relief through the presence of the Spirit.

4. Music as a Form of Worship and Prophetic Declaration

The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David, serve as a testament to the role of music in worship and prophetic declaration. These sacred songs are not only expressions of personal devotion but also convey prophetic truths and divine promises. The musical composition of the Psalms suggests that music was a vehicle for both personal and communal encounters with God, allowing the faithful to experience His presence and receive His guidance.

In summary, music in the Old Testament is portrayed as a powerful tool that facilitates prophetic inspiration, enhances spiritual experiences, and serves as a conduit for divine communication. Through music, the prophets and the people of God were able to draw closer to the divine, receive His messages, and engage in profound acts of worship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 10:5,6
After that you shall come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when you are come thither to the city, that you shall meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 3:15
But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came on him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... What is more significant, for its effects appear over all ... Prophets had been produced
in Israel from like conditions ... had hitherto moved only to the music of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

Blessedness and Praise
... this invocation to every instrument of music to praise ... a twofold expression of the
actual effects of God's ... And that effect is produced, notwithstanding all the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/blessedness and praise.htm

The Unchangeable Christ
... the gospel is the same in its effects upon the ... a very different effect must have
been produced in the ... different songs, depend upon it, and their music will not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/the unchangeable christ.htm

A Practical Discourse on Some Principles of Hymn-Singing
... over to certain mannerisms, and might be produced ad libitum ... stuffed with the sort
of music which, merging ... compositions full of cheap emotional effects and bad ...
/.../a practical discourse on some.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. ... Israel, points out, from among
the effects produced by the ... the other passages of the Prophets, in which ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

The Struggle for the Life of Others
... of the natural world is Love-music"the song ... these seemingly disunited things, which
effects combinations and ... true that new species are produced by processes ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter vii the struggle for.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... juggling, [839]ib.; and to loose music, [840]ib ... more spiritual matters, [1405]ib.;
produced by remembrance of ... Fornication, its bad effects on man's nature, [1443 ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

The Man Christ Jesus
... nature of the man Christ Jesus was produced is a ... wrought by the blessed Paraclete,
are the effects of the ... Yes, the music peals forth loud and long, "King of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the man christ jesus.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... the Three Chapters, and this oath Justinian produced later, when ... who is less than
forty years old and who ... stands more immediately near the first effects of the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Introduction
... of appreciation of beauty, or of music, or when ... at least as real as that which produced
our instincts ... no less dynamic in its transforming effects upon human ...
/.../jones/spiritual reformers in the 16th and 17th centuries/introduction.htm