Spiritual Ear Buds

(Psa 150:5 KJV)  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

(Proverbs 7 also read)

Have you ever heard someone complain about how loud the music was?  Has that someone ever been you?  I would suggest you use the technique my son had developed:  Ear plugs.  It may not look classy but it will bring things down to a manageable level.  

This passage lists just about every known instrument from that day.  They are all on the approved list for worship.  The decibel level is also approved, whatever it may be.  It almost seems the louder the better.  That may be because God is spirit and has no ear drums.

So?  Enjoy the enthusiasm that others are expressing.  Don’t rain on their joy.  

Ancient Worship

(Psa 108:3 KJV)  I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

(Proverbs 22 also read)

Here we have the words for the chorus “Be Exalted, O God”.  This is the second time that I have noticed we see David writing this out.  The other is in Psalm 57.  I would imagine that by repeating it David is showing what a glowing testimony it is.  I would love to hear the way that David sang it.  In Psalm 57 it says it is written for the choir director.  Verse 2 gives us some clues for the accompaniment.

We sometimes think we are moving ahead with our contemporary music.  Except for the electronic amplification and distortion, most of the typical music in contemporary worship would be familiar to David.  It might be more monotonous and boring to him but it would certainly not be strange.

So?  Worship.  Rejoice in the music.  Don’t be a spectator.  Lift your voice along with David in praise.  If you can’t sing then pretend you are a rapper and speak the words.

Drum Roll

(Psa 150:3 KJV)  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

(Proverb 16 also read)

There is at least one denomination that refuses to allow musical instruments in worship.  I have heard them sing and it is an awesome experience.  They can lift the worshipers into the heights.  If that is a matter of choice, it is well rewarded.  If it is a matter of doctrine it seems to run against this series of verses.  In this verse we see trumpets, harps and the lyre.  In following verses we see enough variety to evolve into a modern orchestra.  I would think this is a word of encouragement to the “no instrument” crowd as well as those churches that will allow nothing but piano and organs.

I notice that drums are not on this list.  Pardon me while I do a search on drums............I can find nothing for “drums” or “drum”.  I don’t know if that is enough to keep them out of worship.  

So?  Worship.  If you don’t like the style or the accompaniment then express your opinion so that the leadership can know what works for you and then get over it.  Either learn to worship where you are or, with a good attitude and no hostility, go someplace where the music speaks to you. 

Praise Music

(Psa 56:12 KJV)  Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

(Proverbs 2 also read)

Let me first point out that there are serious differences between the KJV and NASB in this verse.

(Psa 56:12 NAS77) Thy vows are binding upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to Thee.

What drew my attention was the term “thank offerings” (8426) which reminded me of the influence of the law.  The KJV seemed to imply that this was a matter of the heart and had no connection with the law.  So I did a little digging.  I am thinking I am going to need to address this again but let me share one of the trails I found.

There are many uses of this term that seems to imply it involves singing or music.  One, just a few chapters away is,

(Psa 69:30 KJV)  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving (8426).

This is just an example of what I was finding.

So?  Part of our worship service involves singing.  It is a form of praise that could well be considered a thank offering to a loving God.  That is something to think about next time you participate in corporate worship.  If you can’t sing you might speak the words with emphasis that shows you believe, trust and rejoice. 

A Cause for a Heavy Heart

(Proverbs 25:20 KJV)  As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

Where does music fit into our lives?  The Bible mentions a number of musical instruments such as the harp, drums and the lyre.  We are given three clear types of songs to sing,

(Ephesians 5:19 KJV)  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  (also see Colossians 3:16)

So it would seem that singing and music are a blessed part of our worship.  Then you come across verses like this.  What gives?

There are times when I wish the translators were more literal.  “Heavy” (troubled NASB) (7451a)  means “evil” according to the marginal reading.  If you look it up in Strong’s Concordance you find that it is translated “evil” in the KJV 440 times and “wicked” another 26 times.  That makes much more sense of this verse.

You have heard the quote, “Music soothes the savage breast.”  This would seem to be saying just the opposite.  Music has the ability to stir up evil hearts and possibly stir up the evil in hearts.

So?  Does your music aid in worship or stir up trouble in your heart?  Only you can know and only you can make the obvious changes.