Musical Instruments In Church: Yes or No?
Some Churches of Christ teach that the N.T. does NOT give worshippers the authority to use musical instruments. With this said, many other churches use and abuse the playing of musical instruments, making merchandise of music. Somewhere between the two lies the truth. Let me begin with a short introduction into this subject.
Can we prove Scripturally the truth to this matter? I do not believe anyone will lose their salvation because they use, or do not use musical instruments. But, I also understand that a little leaven will spoil the whole loaf. When one Biblical doctrine is misunderstood, this may lead to further misunderstandings.
The point of this article is to show how the study of words can aid us in proving or disproving any particular teaching, in this case, the use of musical instruments.
At times there may be some difficulty connected with the study of Scripture in the English language. The science of lexicography may bring clarity to a discussion like this. Lexicography is a branch of learning that teaches and applies the proper meaning and a just application of words to any subject.
Lexicography will help to establish the various forms and sense of words and phrases used in Scriptures. There are those who have chosen to sidestep this process. If this is the case, in many cases it can be attributed to personal biases.
Logic is the science of correct reasoning, implying correct thinking and legitimate inferences from premises, which are principles assumed or admitted to be correct. Logic includes the art of thinking, as well as the art of reasoning. God demands correct reasoning, correct principles and correct thinking concerning His word.
Comparative linguistics is to estimate by comparison. To compare, is to bring things together in fact, or in contemplation, and to examine the relationship they bear to each other, with a view to establish their agreement or disagreement.
An idiom is a Jewish term used in the Jewish religion and culture. This is a type or style of language within another language and spoken by the people living within a closed community, or profession.
Christianity had its' own idioms. It's a language of hope, and one that is often mis-understood by the outside world. At times the meaning, the Logic, the comparisons of particular Greek words used by the religious Hebrews and by Christians today, is understood correctly by those who put forth the truth when the truth is researched properly.
Christians must hold to this. To understand the words and ideas taken from old law, culture and procedure, must be carried over correctly and clearly to us in English.
Have you ever listened to a foreigner speak? Many times their words take on a different form and their construction of a sentence can hardly be understood. In this their words become difficult to understand.
The differences may lie in the turn of a thought, or in the thought itself, rather than in the expression. In many cases modern English in no way resembles the ideas and thoughts of the ancients. Even where a verse is modeled after the Hebrew, it is seen more in the construction and in the connection of words, both in phrases and sentences.
Mis-used, mis-understood and mis-interpreted words have caused a great division in Christianity. This rift is caused by those who translate words according to their limited knowledge in the languages, or just blatant deception. These rifts, these differences have a tendency to isolated people.
Lets get to the subject on hand.
Are musical instruments allowed in worship services? Several words need to be investigated in order to prove this question. They are the N.T. words for, "Sing, Psalms, Musick, and Melody."
There are three different Greek words for, "Sing" that translate into the English word, "sing."
There are four Hebrew words for the word, "Psalms, and two Greek words for, "Psalms, each translating into English, "Psalms."
The Greek word for sing, and melody under discussion is, "psallo,"
The Greek for Psalms is, "Psalmos."
"Sumphonia," for musick.
The correct meaning of the above four words, Sing, Musick, Melody, Psalms, follow.
The words, "sing and melody," are past particle, expressing a completed action, and means to be accompanied by stringed instruments; Absolute. To touch, to twitch, to pluck. Especially a string, to twang, as in a carpenter's line in order to make a mark, or to pluck a beard. Often, absolute, to touch the lyre or other stringed instrument, to strike up, to play; It is the Septuagint for, "played,"
The above Greek is used in the verses that follow, meaning to sing or make melody in your heart, this accompanied by musical instruments.
Rom.15:9, "I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and SING unto thy name."
1 Cor.14:15, "I will SING with the spirit."
James 5:13, "Is any merry? let him SING psalms."
Eph.5:19, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making MELODY in your heart to the Lord."
1 Cor.14:26, "Every one of you hath a psalm."
1 Sam.16:23, "David took the harp, and played with his hand." Played here is the same as Greek, sing, musick, melody, and psalms.
1 Sam.18:10, 19:9, "David PLAYED with his hand."
James 5:13, "Let him SING PSALMS."
These four words in a common form, dative, or a term applied to the case of nouns which usually follows verbs that express giving, or some direct act to an object.
Rom.15:9, "SING unto thy name."
Eph.5:19, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing = (to sing with the voice) and making MELODY (with stringed instruments.) "
1 Cor.14:15, "I will SING."
Judges 5:3, "I will sing unto the LORD."
2 Sam. 22:50, "I will SING praises unto thy name."
Ps. 9:2, "I will SING."
Ps.18:49, 30:4, 47:7, "SING ye praises."
In the above, the words Sing, Melody, Musick and Psalms mean to sing, accompanied by stringed instruments, this in both the O.T. Hebrew, and the N.T. Greek. If we apply this to our understanding of the subject, musical instruments would be allowed in a church service.
When we speak of the book of Psalms, it differs from the word we are about to discuss. The Greek word for Psalms under consideration is, "Psalmos." There are 4 Hebrew and 2 Greek words, that translate into English, Psalms.
It is a touching, twang, as of a bowstring. Of stringed instruments, a playing, music. In later usage, song. A past particle, expressing a completed action, as accompanying stringed instruments.
In N.T. a psalm, a song, in praise of God. In a general use,
1 Cor.14:26, "Every one of you hath a PSALM."
Col.3:16, "Teaching and admonishing one another in PSALMS and hymns and spiritual songs."
Ps. 95:2, "Make a joyful noise unto him with PSALMS."
In superscript. Ps.4-5-6, seq. "To the chief Musician on Neginoth." This is one who is in service in the temple, one who both sings and plays instruments.
So indeed, the word, "Psalms" in the above verses, speaks of singing accompanied by stringed instruments.
The Hebrew for, "sing," is, zamar. It means praised, magnified, sung sweetly harmoniously. As a noun masculine singular; music, a song.
Ps. 81:2-3, "Take a PSALM," here it refers to a musical piece, or song to be accompanied by an instrument:
Exod.15:2, "The Lord is my strength and SONG."
2 Sam. 22:1, "David spake unto the LORD the words of this SONG" Song means, abstr. singing-musical, music. When these Hebrew words are brought forth, we must understand the Hebrew behind them.
The word, "Melody." Websters 1860 English 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 both vocal and 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 from your heart, ascribing to Him the honor due to His name.
In conclusion, my understanding of the Greek words, melody, musick, sing, and psalms, is to sing with a stringed instrument as an accompaniment.
Thanks,
Phil LaSpino