How did people in the Bible use music in their daily life? This session focuses on music and its applications.
Old Testament:
The first reference to a musician in the Bible: Jubal was the fourth generation from Adam through Cain and is recorded as the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. (Genesis 4:21)
Song of Moses (Exodus 15), then inappropriate drinking songs lead to the destruction of the tablets (Exodus 32:18)
Trumpets sound at the walls of Jericho and cause their collapse (Joshua 6)
David, official musician to King Saul, plays his harp to calm Saul during demonic attacks (1 Samuel 16: 14-23) David commands the Levites to play loudly (1 Chronicles 15:16). Instructions for the organization and presentation of music in the temple (2 Chronicles 5:11-14)
Two choirs stage a spectacle while on a collision course around the top of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:27-end )
Psalms is a collection of five songbooks: Book 1 (1-41), Book 2 (42-72), Book 3 (73-89), Book 4 (90-106) and Book 5 (107-150). Psalm 50 and 73-83 were composed by Asaph, chief musician during the reign of David.
Psalms 120-134 are pilgrimage songs, also called songs of ascent (to Jerusalem). Upon arrival, the tradition is to sing one on each of the 15 steps of the temple.
As soon as you hear the music, you better worship the golden idol, or else get tossed into the fiery furnace! (Daniel 3: 4-23)
The prophet Amos chews out the Hebrews for lying around improvising music and warns them of upcoming exile (Amos 6:1-7).
New Testament:
Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn at the end of the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26)
Mary's Song (Luke 1:46)
Paul gave instructions regarding the use of music during Christian gatherings (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). In Ephesians we see that addressing each other with hymns and songs is an indication of being Spirit-filled. In Colossians the same is an indication of being filled with the Word of Christ, and the songs come from the Spirit. We are instructed to sing out in church (Hebrews 2:11-12)