Instruments of music hold a significant place in the biblical narrative, serving as tools for worship, celebration, and expression of emotion. Throughout the Scriptures, various instruments are mentioned, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Israelite culture and worship practices.

Old Testament References

The use of musical instruments is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where they are often associated with worship and ceremonial occasions. In Genesis 4:21, Jubal is noted as "the father of all who play the harp and flute," indicating the early presence of music in human history. The Book of Psalms, a central text for worship, frequently mentions instruments. Psalm 150:3-5 exhorts, "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals."

The tabernacle and temple worship included a variety of instruments. In 1 Chronicles 15:16 , David commands the Levites to appoint musicians to "play loudly on musical instruments, on harps, lyres, and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy." This organized use of music in worship underscores its importance in the spiritual life of Israel.

Types of Instruments

1. Stringed Instruments: The harp and lyre are the most frequently mentioned stringed instruments. The harp, or "kinnor," was used by David to soothe King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). The lyre, or "nebel," was another prominent instrument in temple worship.

2. Wind Instruments: The trumpet, or "shofar," made from a ram's horn, was used for signaling and in religious ceremonies (Joshua 6:4-5). The flute, or "halil," was also used in various celebrations.

3. Percussion Instruments: The tambourine, or "toph," was often used in joyous celebrations, as seen when Miriam led the women in dance after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20). Cymbals were used to mark rhythm and enhance the musical experience in worship settings.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, while there is less emphasis on specific instruments, music remains an integral part of worship. Ephesians 5:19 encourages believers to speak "to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord." This suggests a continuation of the musical tradition, albeit with a focus on vocal expression.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Instruments of music in the Bible often symbolize joy, celebration, and divine worship. They are seen as a means to express the inexpressible, to communicate with God, and to unite the community in shared worship. The prophetic books sometimes use musical imagery to convey messages of hope and restoration, as in Isaiah 30:29 : "You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your hearts will rejoice like when people go up with flutes to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel."

Conclusion

Instruments of music in the Bible are more than mere tools for sound; they are integral to the worship and cultural expression of God's people. They reflect the creativity bestowed by the Creator and serve as a bridge between the human and the divine, enhancing the spiritual experience and fostering communal worship.Instruments of Music

INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC

(shalishim): Thus, the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version (1 Samuel 18:6), the Revised Version margin "triangles" or "three-stringed instruments."

See MUSIC.

4858. sumphonia -- symphony, ie music
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sumphonia Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-fo-nee'-ah) Short Definition: harmony of instruments, music Definition: harmony ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4858.htm - 6k

5567. psallo -- to pull, twitch, twang, play, sing
... a musical instrument (like a harp); used of " with instruments"; "to ," or ... on a stringed
instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5567.htm - 7k

5058. neginah -- music
... song. Word Origin from nagan Definition music NASB Word Usage music (1),
song (3), stringed instruments (2), taunt (1). stringed ...
/hebrew/5058.htm - 6k

5059. nagan -- to touch or play a stringed instrument
... To play on a stringed instrument; hence (generally), to make music -- player on
instruments, sing to the stringed instruments, melody, ministrel, play(-er, -ing ...
/hebrew/5059.htm - 6k

On Singing and Music.
... We have been concerned also at the increase of instruments of music and the practice
of singing in the families of our members, as a means of amusement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/on singing and music/on singing and music.htm

Next He Reproaches them with their Luxury in Seeking Pleasure for ...
... of the wise from the music of the voluptuary, he does not say, "Ye who chant to
the sound of the viol, and think that ye have instruments of music like David ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 19 next he reproaches.htm

And all the Methods I have Mentioned are Constantly Used by Nearly ...
... of the wise from the music of the voluptuary, he does not say, "Ye who chant to
the sound of the viol, and think that ye have instruments of music like David ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 7 and all the.htm

Psalm CXXXVII.
... 5. "On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments of music"
(ver.2). The citizens of Jerusalem have their "instruments of music," God's ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxvii.htm

Examples of True Eloquence Drawn from the Epistles of Paul and the ...
... They thought that they had instruments of music like David; drinking wine in bowls,
and anointing themselves with the costliest ointment: and they were not ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 7 examples of true eloquence.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... 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 music, and praised ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

The Evangelist
... Thus does God delight to honour. Christ, His Son. Thus with instruments of music.
Do His servants stand,. Harp and lute the King has fashioned. With His hand. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/the evangelist.htm

John I.
... not making the audience believe him other than he is by carriage, by look, by voice,
needing for the delivery of his message no instruments of music, as harp ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily i john i.htm

How the Hebrews were Delivered from a Famine when the Gibeonites ...
... He also made instruments of music, and taught the Levites to sing hymns to God,
both on that called the sabbath day, and on other festivals. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how the hebrews.htm

Josiah
... And not only so, but they were those that 'were skilful with instruments of music.'
What were musicians doing there? Did the building rise. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah.htm

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