Music in the Old Testament: Sometimes they call it Prophecy.

Music in the Old Testament. 

Apart from terms such as praise, psalm, and other related terms, one that stands out as special in relation to music is prophecy.  For our consideration of this topic we should briefly overview First Chronicles 25.  Several points emerge from the text which can be useful when wading through the water of the current music and worship war debate.

This text is not new to the issue of music.  It will no doubt be championed by some and ignored by others.  Our main concepts for viewing this passage are two-fold: first, the appearance of the term prophecy, and second, how this term is used and abused in the context of music and worship.

Leadership and Selection

First, leadership was involved in the selection of musicians.  Notice in verse one that the sons of three men Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun were "separated" out for this purpose.  For what were they selected out?  Prophecy.  Is this foretelling the future or adding to an already completed collection of scripture?  This verse defines prophecy (at least in this context) as music with instrumental accompaniment. This musical understanding of the term is repeated in verse three.  As a side note for future articles, the musical writings (at least as has been preserved for us) by these three men have been recorded for us in the book of Psalms.  For example, note Psalm 73, "A Psalm of Asaph."  Taking into consideration that these three authors wrote Psalms (for musical accompaniment) at a minimum implies that the Psalms were meant to be sung with musical accompaniment.  This is further encouraged based on the fact that many Psalms include a specific tune for which to sing that particular Psalm. 

Content and Focus

Second, the content and focus of their music is also made known.  It was for the purpose of giving thanks and praise.  The distinct focus of the music was the LORD (Yahweh).  If this is truly a faithful means for viewing song content then the content of the Psalms should be of utmost importance to us (death, suffering, pain, praise, sorrow, history, righteousness, wickedness, sin).  There is much content in the Psalms for which we can meditate upon.  We do have 150 to occupy our singing.  Seems rather strange that most church don't sing them at all.  I think I can safely say (without refutation) that the vast majority of evangelical denominations sing songs (music) on a weekly basis (without singing one Psalm).  I would guess you would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of Psalms in your local church hymnal.

Training and Dedication

Third (and lastly), these were well-trained men.  Even the well-intended need to take note here.  Yes, lets take for granted not everyone will be able to sing well (I'd be happy if people just sang period).  Anyone who has put forth effort to produce music knows that time and effort has been put forth.  My children every week practice piano.  We pay for lessons and they practice (through much pain, suffering and woe--well, not always).  There must be something to this because God specifically mentions, "all these were under the hands of their father for song" and later "their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD."

If this last one sounds kind of harsh or too restrictive, try to remember which of the twelve tribes were able to participate.  Don't forget the other eleven were not selected.  Remember this when people in 2016 squabble about gender participation and music leading.  Take note of the trends in current new evangelicalism.  Just try to apply a consistent form of regulative principle to Christian music today on the gender issue.  Are you forced to appeal to a historical narrative by desperation?  Any actual prescriptive exhortations?  1 Cor 14?  Mary?  Anna?  Deborah?  

If the text actually matters then we have some weighty ideas to consider.  From here well will turn to the ark of the covenant and the relation it has to worship and music in local churches.  Does God give actual commands and precepts for worship?  What happens when we refuse to listen?  What happens when we decide to do it our own way (even if we had good intentions)?

Hope this helps some.  Comments (as always) encouraged.

The God-Ordained hymnal: The Psalms. God does have a say in this matter.

The God-Ordained Hymnal: The Psalms

It appears as though God does have a say in what text and tune should be used by God's people for worship.  God did provide his people with a hymnal of his own choosing and arrangement.  He provided his people a 150 page (chapter) hymnal.  I can just imagine trying to do this today with a scroll.  The worship/song leaders stands up and says, "Please roll your scroll to Psalm 118."   Can you imagine how long that would take?  Imagine a synagogue full of people rolling their scrolls.  Praise the Lord for the invention of codex.

Just consider a standard page found in an English text Bible.  I turn to a Psalm, let's say Psalm four (150 to choose from). As you quickly glance at the text you see several things. First, a title in bold font Psalm 4 or perhaps Psalm Four (most likely it says Psalm 4).  But look right below that title for Psalm 4.  There's some more information provided for us.  Second, we have the person or sometimes the group for which this psalm was written.  Not on that but many psalms (like this one) include either the musical instrument intended for it, the musical tune, or perhaps even the mood by which it is to be sang or played.  Lastly, many psalms include the human author who wrote under divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in this psalm specifically it is called a psalm of David, perhaps Asaph, or maybe we don't no specifically who wrote it.

Perhaps your thinking well that was just added by the translators or by a publishing house.  Think something similar to reading the gospels and the two color font used by some publishers.  The color red denotes the publishers aid to the reader in distinguishing when Jesus is speaking and when his is not.  Here's a point of similarity.  The font whether red or black in an English translation is based on an underlying Greek text.  Question: is there any underlying Hebrew text for these titles and related introductory information?  Check out a Hebrew Old Testament text or find and interlinear.  When you look at the text in Hebrew where is verse one?  Do you translate this way, "Hear men when I call"?  Or do you translate it, "to the chief musician on Neginoth"?  Where is verse one and verse two?  Is there an interesting change occurring between Hebrew and English?

This not the only place in the Old Testament where this concept appears.  Consider also a text like Habakkuk chapter three. Verse one, "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth."  Sounds like many of the psalms.  But look also how chapter three ends, "To the chief singer on my stringed instruments " (v. 19).  Oh, and by the way, there is Hebrew text underlying both of these verses.

One more little piece of evidence remains.  The little word Selah.  The meaning at present is not as important as when it appears.  It occurs to my knowledge 74 times in the Old Testament.  The number itself is not that important either.  When and where does it appear?  Only two books in the entire Old Testament.  Three times in Habakkuk chapter three and guess where else?  The book of Psalms, the God-ordained hymnal.

Perhaps there is more evidence for God determined text and tunes than you might have imagined.  What happens when we sing the Psalms?  Are we singing a text and tune which God chose?  Do you you think God would have chosen tunes that are described as worldly or flesh-arousing?  Let us also remind ourselves historically, that many within church history rejected and opposed the creation of hymns (and a hymnal for that matter).

Here's where another battle begins.  This is apart from the God doesn't care about the tune crowd.  Or God consider's all cultures neutral crowd.  Even to suggest otherwise to many evangelicalism smacks of a warped definition of cultural superiority or racism.  We don't have the exact tune preserved in the text for us.  What do you think a holy and reverent God would choose?

Hope this helps some in this matter.  Comments and questions encouraged.