People have enjoyed music and benefited from music from very early in the recorded history of mankind. We read in Genesis 4:21 that Jubal was “the father of all those who play the harp and flute”. Here there is reference to two of the main classes of instruments, stringed and wind. We are not told at this point the occasion for which these instruments were to be used.
The second reference to music in Scripture is, however, very explicit. It was for a proposed farewell get-together. When Jacob fled Padan-aram and his father-in-law Laban perused and caught up with him, Laban said to him, “Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps?” (Gen 31:27, NIV). Today these instruments would be classified as percussion and stringed instruments, two categories of instruments still familiar to us.
Another interesting early reference to music in the Bible is after the deliverance of the Israelites from the hordes of their Egyptian pursuers. Moses and the Israelites sang a song to the LORD in thankfulness for their protection and rescue:
“Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD, ‘I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him’ ” (Exod 15:1,2, NIV).
On the same occasion of Israel’s deliverance from the Egyptians, Miriam, referred to as a prophetess, and a group of women also praised God with tambourines, singing, and dancing:
“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand: and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea” (Exod 15:20,21, AV).
We know that music has always occupied an important place in worship although, surprisingly, there is no reference to singing in the Law of Moses. Music was entirely instrumental. For example, blowing trumpets was part of the ritual on the Day of Atonement. “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation” (Lev 23:24, AV).
David practiced music in worship that involved both singing and the use of instruments. David also organized both categories of music for his son Solomon (1Ch 25:1-7). Singing, and the use of several instruments, was detailed for use in Solomon’s temple. At the time of the dedication of the temple, both musical instruments and human voices were used in worship to praise God:
“It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of mu-sick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD” (2Ch 5:13, AV).
What did music of Bible times sound like? We really have no idea. Musical notation was either primitive or non-existent. The phonograph had not been invented, nor had the digital recording equipment. Music must have sounded very different both in structure and harmony from music of today. A “joyful noise” made to the LORD probably involved shouting or chanting for joy as well as singing. “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psa 100:1,2, AV). This explains why Joshua had difficulty knowing whether he could hear singing or fighting in the camp of Israel when he and Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tables of stone: “And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. And he [Moses] said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear” (Exod 32:17,18, AV).
It is interesting to note, in view of the prominent place that music occupied in worship in Solomon’s temple, and indeed its importance in worship for us today, that the first documented maker of a musical instrument was a descendant of Cain. Also that the second time it was mentioned was for a family celebration. Does this mean that God is pleased when people are happy (for the right reasons, of course) or that music is a gift and that it presents an opportunity and a challenge to us to use it wisely?
God is indeed pleased when merrymaking for the right reason is wholesome. In the parable of the prodigal son, when the lost son came home, there was music and dancing:
“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew night to the house, he heard musick and dancing” (Luke 15:25, AV).
Music can be used as an expression of rejoicing and merriment shared among family or a group of friends. With music, people of all ages from little children to the most senior share joy and happiness. As well, music is an individual and communal method of praise and worship.
Music also presents us with a challenge to employ it in either private or ecclesial praise and devotion to our Heavenly Father. What matters to God is the spirit and intention of the worshipper, not the musical style or instrumentation which changes over time and location. Thus we are exhorted:
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:19,20, NIV).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One