CYMBALS, HARPS, AND DRUMS

This Psalm furnishes the first instance of musical instruments used in public worship.  This is not the first mention of musical instruments.  That is in Genesis 4:21.  There we are told of their inventor, a certain Jubal who was in the line of Cain.  This early invention tells us these two facts.

A.  Music was a part of mankind’s experience very early in history. 

B.  The use of musical instruments was an early part of that experience.

Calvin writes on this passage, “Although the invention of the harp, and of similar instruments of music may minister to our pleasure, rather than to our necessity, still it is not to be thought altogether superfluous; much less does it deserve, in itself to be condemned.”  Calvin, Genesis, pg. 218.

Miriam and the women, after the Red Sea crossing, played upon “timbrels” in triumph, Exodus 15:20-21.  As this was before the Mosaic organization of worship, it is difficult to make it a part of the legal system of worship replaced in the New Testament Church.  It looks as it if is a spontaneous act of worship more akin to Psalm 150.

The Union Seminary professor, James Luther Mays, in his commentary on Psalm 33, writes “In the call to praise (v.v. 1-3), the vocabulary for worship with music is nearly exhausted.  This is the first reference to the use of instruments in the canonical order of psalms, and so it has been a textual occasion in traditional commentary for a discussion of propriety and validity of the use of instruments in worship.  In the history of culture, music was originally a sacred performance.  In our time, the problem of deciding whether certain kinds of music created outside the religious sphere are appropriate for worship often vexes those who plan liturgy.  For the Psalmist and his world, it was praise that gave rise to music and formed it and controlled it.  Where that can authentically be the case, music of all kinds is the most exquisite and complete form of praise.  For those who are right with the Lord, a hymn of praise is “seemly”.  There is an implicit theology of music here, it must be authentically to the praise of the lord and offered by those who are right with the Lord.  The why and the who are crucial.”  Psalms Interpretation, Mays, pg. 149.

Calvin’s statement about the use of musical instruments for Believers is excellent and worth reading.  He writes on Psalm 33:2, “It is evident that the Psalmist here expresses the vehement and ardent affection which the faithful ought to have in praising God, when he enjoins musical instruments to be employed for this purpose.  He would have nothing omitted by believers which tends to animate the mind and feelings of men in singing God’s praises.”  Psalms Vol. I, pg. 539.

Still Calvin has a New Testament justification for his denial of musical instruments, “the simplicity which God recommends to us by the Apostle is far more pleasing to Him.  Paul allows us to bless God in the public assembly of the saints only in a known tongue, (I Cor. XIV 16).”  Psalms Vol. I, pg. 539.

In searching the Scriptures I have found there is a threefold criteria for worship music that includes words and tunes.

1.      That which has been stated above.  It must be worship music, Psalm 66:1-4; 47:1, 5-6.

2.      God must be worshipped with understanding, Psalm 47:7.

3.      God must be worshipped in His true character, Psalm 47:8-9.

The songs of God’s church are to be no different from her confessed theology.  When heresy is sung, it is heresy with entertainment value.