Music in the Bible

I love music, I don’t know who doesn’t and as a good old proverb says, "Music is what feelings sound like."

We are people and whether we admit it or not feelings are tied to our souls being in fact a part of the "material" we are made of. Feelings and music do go together well as they are both unseen with the physical eyes but they are deeply felt and seen with the eyes of the heart.

Going back to origins, in Genesis it is mentioned a man named Jubal, "he was the father of all players on instruments of music." Genesis 4:21

Since praising God with songs and music was a common practice as it still is today, the happiness over a victory is also celebrated with music and dancing: "And Miriam, the woman prophet, the sister of Aaron, took an instrument of music in her hand; and all the women went after her with music and dances." (Exodus 15:20) The dances back there were not something provocative and sensual, they were a pure expression of joy and involved moves that had no sexual connotation.

Music is also known to soothe and this is what happened in the case of Saul, an important King of Israel; however, the soothing music we read about here is an instrumental kind of music used also to praise God. Here is a small excerpt from the story of Saul:

His servants saw how troubled and restless the king was, therefore they gave him a piece of valuable advice that brought results indeed: "Now give orders to your servants who are here before you to go in search of a man who is an expert player on a corded instrument: and it will be that when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will make music for you on his instrument, and you will get well." 1 Samuel 16:16

"And whenever the evil spirit from God came on Saul, David took his instrument and made music: so new life came to Saul, and he got well, and the evil spirit went away from him." 1 Samuel 16:23

Music was such an important responsibility in God’s office in the Temple that all those appointed to participate and to serve God this way, were not allowed to work somewhere else. This was their duty: "And these were those who had the ordering of the music and songs, heads of families of the Levites, who were living in the rooms, and were free from other work, for their work went on day and night." 1 Chronicles 9:33

Also, singing before God was not something to be taken lightly as they were singing with passion with joy using all their strength. Oh I wonder how many still sing this way to the Lord today? The question is "What about me, how do I sing for God?"

"Then David and all Israel made melody before God with all their strength, with songs and corded instruments of music, and with brass instruments and horns." 1 Chronicles 13:8

"David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, stringed instruments and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy." 1 Chronicles 15:16

Singing this way, with joy, passion and knowing that you are in the presence of God is indeed an experience meant to free you from burdens as you don’t focus on your problems any more but put all your strength and will power to focus on God, focus on Jesus Christ His Son Who really can solve any kind of problem and difficulty you might have.

Music in the Bible is found in every circumstance - in Psalms of lamentation or joy, it is used to comfort the deepest sorrows or to express the highest peaks of joy and victory.

Music as it was meant to be is a great ally against sadness and it is also meant to last for eternity. Yes, in Heaven angles are praising and singing to the Lord

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty rulers went down on their faces before the Lamb, having every one an instrument of music, and gold vessels full of perfumes, which are the prayers of the saints." Revelation 5:8

"And I saw a sea which seemed like glass mixed with fire; and those who had overcome the beast and his image and the number of his name, were in their places by the sea of glass, with God's instruments of music in their hands." Revelation 15:2

Music it is not to be taken lightly…if music inspired by God can influence you towards good, the same way music that is not inspired by God can influence you towards violence and all kind of acts even to suicide. Be very careful to the music you are listening to!