Instrumental Music, A Closer Look

Introduction

When I first began the series on the Worship service, I discussed “singing” as the first subject. I also made mention that no mechanical instruments were being used nor choirs. Since then, comments have been made to me (on social media) in regards to both subjects. I will handle both of these today in separate articles.

What about Psalm 150?

In discussing the use of mechanical instruments during the worship service, I asked for scripture to support this. The response given to me, on social media, was Ps. 150:1-6. So, let’s take a look at that…

Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

My response to this was the fact that the psalms were part of the Old Testament and not utilized as commands for today seeing that we are under the New Testament or Law of Christ. If you search for the subject of instrumental music; in bible dictionaries and other references, all of them point to the Old Testament only.

The Levites were the ones commanded to play instruments for various events that took place in and around the temple. There is no Levitical Priesthood today as Jesus is our High Priest; according to the Order of Melchizedek (Heb. 6:20; 7:11).

Since we do not worship in a temple; on the Sabbath and under the Law of Moses, we do not have any authority for the use of instruments in the assembly. Otherwise, we’d have to reinstate all of the feast days and the sacrifices as well, if we are to use instruments today. We’d also have to make a yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem (1 Sam. 1:3).

The Creation of Instruments themselves

Another comment made in regards to the discussion of instrumental music is written as follows…

Do you believe that the great composers gifts came from God? What about the incredible skills of the people who make musical instruments, do you think that God would bless them with such an exquisite gift if he didn’t want them to use it. Music brings people joy and happiness, and that can only come from God. Yes, as with all things, it can be corrupted by the world and Satan, but the ability to make music is a gift from God. Why give us the gift if he didn’t want us to use it.

I didn’t give a response online as I promised I would write an article for this very reason. I have never implied that the creation of instruments is wrong or their use to praise God was wrong either. If it seems that way, then I apologize as that is not my intention.

Yes, the creation of musical instruments is God-given (Gen. 4:21; 1 Chr. 23:5; 2 Chr. 7:6) and they were used, as we discussed, in the temple. Now, should a person, even today (in the 21^st century) play music and praise God with it, that’s just fine too.

However, there is no command for instrumental music to be a part of the worship assembly. As we stated before, both Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16 commands us to sing. We sing to God and we sing to one another. One cannot edify a person with the playing of a piano; nor can one be move to repent of their sins because a guitar was played. But the lyrics of songs can do just that and more.

When you have a praise band or an organist playing, no one else is doing anything. Thereby, the congregation becomes an audience while they listen to someone else sing, play, and praise God. I personally find that unfair as I’m not taking part in the praising. I’m just listening.

But It’s Tradition

Another person commented that for as long as they’ve been around; even long before any of us were born, the use of instrumental music has been a part of the worship service.

My response is that they were correct in their statement. It has been around for centuries but that doesn’t make it correct. Instruments in the worship service go as far back as the start of the reformation period and the creation of the denominations (15^th, 16^th, and 17^th centuries). Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, and others all came into being. Most didn’t even use instruments as part of their worship but, over time, they added them to the service.

Denominations are just as wrong as the instruments used. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10, Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. He wanted all of the congregations to believe the same thing as well as speak the same things. In other words, whatever God and Jesus commanded in his word, was the only thing to be followed.

Additionally, Paul warned about the divisions (denominations) in verses 12 and 13, Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Those in Corinth were associating themselves with those who baptized them; much like those who claim to be Christians today, but align themselves with manmade churches. You can’t believe and obey the same things if you are divided based on the church that you attend.

A Cappella Singing

Those who are familiar with the world of music should be familiar with the phrase ‘a cappella’ which means singing without instrumental accompaniment. Barbershop quartets spring instantly to my mind when I hear this phrase. This is the kind of music God wants to hear in the worship assemblies today. This is the purest form of music and the purest praise to God that man can offer.

Some say, ‘We only use the piano to get the starting note.’ My response is, ‘Why not use a pitch pipe?’ It can give you the same starting note, plus you aren’t tempted to play a song on it; much like that of a piano. I would rather listen to myself sing; as well as those around me and be able to keep up with the song, than to be drowned out by the noise of an organ or piano.

Conclusion

Jesus warned in Matthew 15:7-9, "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" Just because a congregation is using instruments in worship does not make it correct; even if they are glorifying God. Nothing is said of this in New Testament scripture; therefore, we cannot support its use.