Musical Instruments Allowed In Church: Yes or No?
Part 1:
This article concerns a real incident that occurred about two years ago. I had been listening to a pastor on T.V. from the Church of Christ. He was speaking about not having music played in their church. What caught my attention was when he said, “Music is not taught in the New Testament, therefore the Church of Christ does not allow the use of musical instruments.”
With these words, I became curious, so I decided to research it. I wrote him a letter with the following information.
Mr. Burnett.
Concerning the matter of music in which you touched on last week, I found the subject interesting. Let me first clarify, I do not believe that having, or not having musical instruments in ones church will in no way effect a persons salvation, as long as it is done in love, and from the heart. Hopefully you will agree with me on this point.
Also I have heard you quote at times,
Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Like you, I believe that each and every word must be examined, and verified as to its true meaning. To do this we must go back to the original languages, and if possible understand the Hebrewism of that particular word as it is used in the Greek. Again my hope is that you would agree with this point.
We must also draw from Scripture, other verses that will support and add to our understanding of difficult words, passages and sometimes misunderstood issues. It is important that we remain as one body under one Lord, and not be divided by our pride. In this area of music, I have no particular preference, for I enjoy acappella as well as singing with instruments.
For my research on this subject, I have used several Greek Lexicons, Hebrew dictionaries, Thayer’s, Strong’s, Webster’s 1860 dictionary, and the Encyclopedia Britannica. The Britannica was to long, you can examine it for yourself, but it agrees with the above.
The word melody: Webster’s 1860 dictionary. An agreeable succession of sounds; a succession of sounds so regulated and modulated as to please the ear. To constitute melody, the sounds must be arranged according to the laws of rhythmus, measure, or the due proportion of the movements to each other. Melody is vocal, or instrumental.
The particular air, or tune of a musical piece. So to make melody in the heart is to praise God with a joyful and thankful disposition, ascribing to Him the honor due to His name. This is Webster’s dictionary.
As you are aware, there are three (3) Greek words for sing, and also, ten (10) Hebrew words. There are four (4) Hebrew words for the word psalm, and psalms, and two (2) Greek words.
The Greek word in discussion is psallo, when translated in English is, Melody, sing, and psalms. I use the Strong’s numbering system, as a point of reference in my word study. These three words are found in the following verses,
Romans 15:9, 2 Corinthians 14:15, James 5:13, and Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 14:26. The verses use the same Greek word, “psallo.” So what does the word psallo mean?
Melody: Sing: Psalms: Strong’s 5567, see also 5568 below. Greek, “psallo.” To touch, to twitch, to pluck, as in the hair or beard. Especially a string, to twang, as in a carpenter’s line in order to make a mark.
Often, absolute, to touch the lyre or other stringed instrument, to strike up, to play, see Josephus, Ant. 11:3.9. Septuagint for “played,”
1 Samuel 16:23, “David took the harp, and played with his hand.” 1 Sam.18:10, 19:9.
In N.T. and the Septuagint to sing, (5567) to chant, past particle, expresses complete action, as accompanying stringed instruments; absolute,
James 5:13, “let him sing = (5567) psalms.” Common form dative, (see below) persons to, or in honor of whom,
Romans 15:9, “sing (5567 accompanied by instruments) unto thy name.”
Ephesians 5:19, “singing = (to sing with the voice) and making melody = (5567. with stringed instruments.)” So common form dative, of manner,
1 Corinthians 14:15, “I will sing (5567).”
Septuagint, common form dative, person for,
Judges 5:3, “I will sing (Hebrew 7891) unto the LORD.”
2 Samuel 22:50, “I will sing (2167) praises unto thy name.”
Psalms 9:2, “I will sing (7442).”
Psalms 18:49, 30:4, 47:7, “sing (2167) ye praise’s.”
So in both the Greek and Hebrew words above, the word sing, melody, and psalms mean to sing, accompanied by stringed instruments, this in both the Old, and New Testament.
Dative meaning a term applied to the case of nouns which usually follows verbs that express giving, or some act directed to an object. Example, “It is given to you.” or “it was sent to him.”
The Greek word, “Psalms,”
1. A touching, twang, as of a bowstring. of stringed instruments, a playing, music. In later usage, song, pp. as accompanying stringed instruments, Josephus, Ant.6. 11.3.
In N.T. a psalm, a song, in praise of God. Generally,
1 Corinthians 14:26, “every one of you hath a psalm (5568).”
Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms (5568) and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody (5567).”
Colossians 3:16, “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms (5568) and hymns and spiritual songs.”
Septuagint, Psalms 95:2, “psalms (2158,)” In superscript. Psalms 4-5-6, sequel follows, “To the chief Musician on Neginoth.”
So the word “psalms” in the above verses, both in the Hebrew and Greek speak of singing accompanied by stringed instruments, this in both the Old and New Testament.
2. The book of Psalms, as a part of the O.T. See Luke 20:42, 24:44. Acts 1:20. Acts 13:33.
The Hebrew for sing, is, zamar. It means praised, magnified, sung sweetly harmoniously. As a noun masculine singular; music, a song. Psalms 81:2-3, “Take a psalm,”
3. Psalm here refers to a musical piece, or song to be accompanied by an instrument:
Exodus 15:2, “The Lord is my strength and song.” Song here means, instrumental music, by implying praise: – song.
2 Samuel 22:1, “David spake unto the LORD the words of this song” Song means, in the abstract, singing-musical, music. When these Hebrew words are brought forth into the Greek language, we must understand their Hebrew meaning.
In conclusion, my understanding of the Greek words, melody, sing, and psalms, Strong’s Greek, 5567-68, it is to sing with a stringed instrument as an accompaniment. Thank you for your time,
I never did receive a reply from him. Some replies by readers followed!
Reader wrote, “There is a gift of music. Music in church will surely enrich the way we praise and worship God. Without instruments we still can sing to praise and worship God. But music will add important dimension to the form of worship. During the year of the jubilee, the Israelites could be heard for miles, worshipping God with all kinds of musical instruments.”
Reader wrote, “In 1989, I read in the Book of Psalms “Praise the Lord on the harp…” and it seemed like a commandment to me! I said, “Lord. if You will provide the harp, and teach me, I will.” He provided one a few months later, and I’ve been playing ever since. Sometimes the Spirit of God will come upon me, and I’ll play (this may sound odd to you) what I can only describe as prophesying on the harp…it’s beautiful, and I treasure it.
No, God is not offended when we play music as a part of our worship. A life spent without rejoicing in Jesus Christ is a victory for Satan, who came to steal, kill, and destroy…rejoice in Jesus and destroy Satan’s works!
Reader wrote, “I could be mistaken, but I was of the impression that the Jews and their whole way of worship was also with instruments. I realize that our vocal chords could be instruments as well. But one thing that does disturb me, is that many times, sitting and worshiping from the hymnbook, there are quite a few hymns that are not even doctrinally sound! This is disturbing… so whether or not you use an instrument… make sure the words are sound!
Phillip Laspino www.seekfirstwisdom.com