MAKING MUSIC. 1st Chronicles 25 The role of a prophet was not limited to what he conveyed through speeches or public proclamations. Messages from God could be communicated, reviewed, and emphasized in the form of praise found in psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs. Of special interest is that David sought the counsel of the commanders of the army regarding the organization of the music that would be performed in the tabernacle and temple.
A marching band or military choir is still used to stir the emotions and patriotism of soldiers and citizens. It serves as a means of teaching and maintaining order and discipline, focusing on one important objective. Sometimes, hundreds of people marching, singing, and playing musical instruments together seem like one great, single unit, with everyone walking in step, looking in the same direction, and obeying the same commands in almost perfect unison.
A message from God, expressed through the music of praise and thanksgiving, is not easily forgotten. God’s word is shared when a farmer sings at work, a wife and mother sing to her children, a Gospel preacher selects hymns that align with his message, and hymns are presented with a theme of worship and praise during assembly meetings.
Many ways were used to contribute to the worship of God at the tabernacle and temple. Some prophesied, some played instruments, and some led the singing of hymns, songs, and psalms of thanksgiving and praise. Methods to participate were first learned and then applied in the service of the Lord. Twenty-four groups of musicians matched the twenty-four groups of Levites in their service. This division of labor provided variety and opportunity for those called to serve the Lord by serving His people.
Occasionally, people comment about the kind of music we have in assemblies of believers who gather in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some have said, "Why don't you have music?" Other comments are made regarding the singing of hymns by the whole congregation rather than the congregation sitting in silence and listening to trained singers or a choir of select people. In fact, we each bring our own personal instrument with us when we come together (our voice) and can use it to edify ourselves and others as we participate in this "service of the Lord."
This chapter provides some practical principles relating to music when the people of God gather to worship the Lord. King David and the "captains" of the army recognized music as a way to maintain order when a large group of people is assembled in one place. A structured method that has been used throughout history involves the use of music. Otherwise, the sounds of a large gathering of people are discordant noises resembling a riot rather than worship and praise.
Music is the coordinated combination of sounds made by the vocal cords of each human or by instruments played by humans to produce a form of beauty, harmony, and a means of expressing emotions. Organized sounds affect us by influencing our perception of a subject. One type of music can make us feel happy and carefree, while another can evoke sadness and seriousness. Even our body movements are influenced by music; our feet often move when certain musical sounds are produced. Order can be maintained by a large group marching together to the sound of music. A melody is a sequence of tones close together, conveying thoughts and actions to our brain. Listening to music often elicits a variety of physical and emotional responses.
Linked with melody is harmony: the combination of tones that blend well. The pitch of a melody is a vibration that produces a particular kind of "color" in our minds. A high soprano or tenor connected with a low alto or bass—and the other tones in between—has the ability to make us shed tears of joy or sorrow. The very rhythm—sounds coordinated in time to a heartbeat create suggestions in our minds that can move us to act in a certain way. The loudness or softness of music, the dynamics if you will, can make us march in time and order with thousands of other people. That is why soldiers are taught to march in basic training. Order and control over hundreds of thousands are made possible by band music. But that is control, not instruction or edification.
The quiet harmony of "soft" music fosters reflection and restfulness, controlling our emotions and pacifying us. It focuses one's attention on a subject or matter at hand without being too intrusive. The repetition of sounds creates an atmosphere or ambience we associate with certain events from the past or our current situation. However, repetition can become quite annoying if only two or three varying sounds are made or if the sounds are too close together, similar to "a broken record."
In the context of spiritual matters, sounds must be connected by words to hold real value in our worship and service. The sounds themselves provide no instruction for us; they only evoke emotions. In essence, they are without value. David and the leaders with him understood how crucial it was to structure music to direct the attention of large numbers of God's people toward God Himself rather than on the place or people gathered at the temple. Therefore, they appointed specific individuals to ensure this structure was established and maintained. David had written and sung many psalms before the temple was built, and accompanied himself while keeping tune by playing the harp.
The psalms he wrote were primarily a repetition of thoughts rather than mere tones. Any music he arranged, even before the temple was built, was intended to emphasize the words he wrote, as this served as a means of "prophesying." This was not for entertainment. The words mattered and became effective with an appropriate melody accompanying them. The unity of the words sung by the entire congregation was maintained by instruments that were louder and sharper in tone than the voices.
Asaph and his sons "prophesied according to the word of the king," under his supervision. They did this by singing the words. Jeduthun and his sons were to use instruments to "give thanks and praise." Heman, the king's seer, along with his sons and daughters, apparently organized and ensured that everything was done correctly by the 4000 musicians and singers on their two-week shifts. Among them, 288 were in charge of groups that arrived at their appointed times throughout the year.
The "songs, hymns, and spiritual songs" we sing at assembly meetings should suit the event. In our remembrance meetings, we reflect on our Lord through praise, focusing our attention on Him personally regarding who He is and what He means to us. We also thank Him for what He has done for us and the blessings we receive because of His grace. Spiritual songs of testimony greatly enhance our Gospel testimony, such as "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound," "Power in the Blood," and other similar messages, serving as words of instruction, reflection, and solemn warning. Order is maintained, and minds are directed to specific truths when the whole congregation says the same thing simultaneously, impressing them with the value of the message. Our children learn and remember much from their childhood through the songs they sang when they were young.
"The service of the house of God" is why the singing of the saints is essential. In this way, we exalt Him, or "lift up His horn," and testify to our faith in Him. Those ancient people were instructed in "the songs of the Lord" to sing together when God's people gathered at the temple. Appropriate songs and hymns for each gathering of God's people were learned through instruction.
The people of God were "instructed in the songs of the Lord" when David was king, and now, many years later, the Jews who returned from Babylon had to be reminded of their heritage of music, how it was to be done, and why. Our children should learn from us how and why we make music the way we do. We "edify" ourselves, and we "edify one another." We should give our music our best effort and sing with enthusiasm and skill to the Lord to the best of our ability.
Probably all who read this will remember the singing of our mother as she went about her work, or the words our fathers read as he shared an appropriate hymn at a meeting. "Man of sorrows, what a name, for the Son of God who came...," or "When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died," will stick in our minds because we sang them with meaning and harmony, in unity with many others. The songs of the Lord are out of place "in a strange land." To sing them at a drinking party in a worldly way merely for entertainment is not right, but in the house of God, where entertainment is not the point of music, the "Lord's songs" can be sung from the heart. Joy and united fellowship with God's people minister to our hearts and strengthen our resolve to live and walk by faith.
If we were there, we could hear them practice—the teacher and the scholars preparing for the service of God. At first, the notes would be discordant and harsh until long practice refined the music to its best form. As time passed, they were ready to serve when their responsibility came to fill the two-week terms at the temple. The harps, cymbals, psalteries, horn, and piper were prepared to create music with their instruments, and the singers would have the words they would use to edify those who came to worship.
It worked out exactly as God had planned. There were twenty-four families, each with twelve members. Around the clock, every hour of every day, they used their musical talent to serve. Their service was for the king, who assigned each one a time by lot to be there. Sometimes, people heard the music during the day, and other times, likely at night, only a few priests and Levites would hear it; however, the Lord God and holy angels would listen to their music.
The Lord heard each song and how it was played by the musicians and sung by each singer. They were singing the songs of the Lord. Whether few or many, His songs should be sung from our hearts and with our voices. Praise is comely for the people of God as we sing new and old songs unto Him. It was important for people in ancient times to make music in God’s way, knowing that the ultimate listener was the Lord Himself. The number was precise for each group, and how they played and sang ensured that praise was continually rising to God.
When I sing my praises and make music in my heart, I pass on to Him what He first dealt to me. When I create melodies internally and praise God with my voice, I hope to lift someone’s heavy load. We, too, prophesy through comfort, edification, and exhortation when our voices, like instruments in harmony, are raised in testimony of God’s grace and salvation, proclaiming His imminent return for us.