Scriptural Statements Concerning Its Origin and Use
By Elder E. W. Whitney
Scriptural Statements Concerning Its Origin and Use.
In the preceding article attention was called to the intimate relation existing between religion and music. This will still further appear as we examine the testimony of the Bible relative to its origin and use. The earliest use of music we have recorded is in the words of the Lord spoken to Job from the whirlwind, about the laying of the foundations of the earth. He says, "The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Job 38:1–7. How appropriate that at the time of, and in connection with, the beginning of the work which was to result in the establishment of the perfect harmony of the universe (see previous article) a science should be originated and given to man based upon, and expressive of, the grand principles and prominent facts connected with such a work? It seems reasonable that just this was done by God at the time referred to above. Some interesting features of the science of music, showing how it may embody such an expression of principles and facts, will be presented in a subsequent article. I simply mention the idea here as a help in understanding some of the uses of music referred to in the Scriptures. If music has the origin suggested above, then we should expect that whenever or wherever the plan of God became the most fully understood and coöperated in, by created intelligences, there the use of music would be the most highly appreciated, and its power most manifest. What is true of these intelligences considered collectively would also be true of them individually. The individual who has the most complete understanding and appreciation of the plan of salvation, and is heartily coöperating with it, is "filled with the Spirit," the fruits of which are "love, joy, peace," etc.—is filled with the melody, the harmony, the music of God. A few references will illustrate various points in connection with the subject. Of Satan it is said, "The workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created" (Eze. 28:13); but after his fall, "Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols" (Isa. 14:11). The language in these texts indicates that he was created with a highly musical nature, but that when he rebelled in heaven against the purposes of God, discord took the place of harmony in this exalted being. Thus music and concord are represented as prevailing among the heavenly angels, while the opposite is true of the hosts of evil. The same loss of peace and harmony was experienced by man when he sinned in Eden, but after the plan of redemption was made known, he was enabled again to acquire a knowledge of music through his inventive faculties. It was necessary for him to study the plan of redemption; it was also necessary for him to study the science of harmony, which was based upon it. Though but rudely understood at first, perhaps, it has become more highly developed and appreciated in proportion as the plan of God has become so understood. That music should have an intimate connection with the work of God among men, but that it is perverted to evil uses by those who do not regard that work, is shown by a contrast presented in Isa. 5:12, where he says of the wicked, "The harp and the viol, the tabret and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands." In other words, while using and delighting in music, which should express regard for the work of God, they utterly fail to understand its import, and debase it to an evil use. Whenever the work of the Lord has prospered, and his people have walked in faith and obedience, music has been a prominent feature of their worship. When Moses led Israel out of Egypt and through the sea, "then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation." Ex. 15:1, 2. Whenever the cause of God has languished, it has had the opposite effect upon the people. The Psalmist writes: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; . . . saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" Ps. 137:1–4. A remarkable effect of music when produced by one under the influence of the Spirit of God is given in the case of David's playing before Saul. Of David it was said that he was "cunning in playing, . . . and the Lord is with him." "And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." 1 Sam. 16:18, 23. Perhaps no more wonderful example of the power of music, when used to God's glory, is upon record than that given in 2 Chronicles 20, where Jehoshaphat was forced to go to war with the children of Ammon and Moab. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel in the midst of the congregation, and he told them that they need not be afraid, for the battle was not theirs but the Lord's, that they would not need to fight, but only to stand still and "see the salvation of the Lord." As a preparation for this Jehoshaphat had proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah, and he and the people had earnestly sought the Lord. Under these circumstances the record we have of the battle is this:— "As they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten." 2 Chron. 20:20–22. From these circumstances we may learn that while prayer is the proper means of seeking and securing the wisdom and help necessary to victory, the victory itself is realized only when by faith (which is the substance of that hoped for) it is claimed and accepted as a reality in the spirit of praise and song. When this is the case, the victory is actually assured to the rejoicing soul or people before he or they can see how it is to be accomplished. The circumstance of the deliverance of Paul and Silas from the prison at Philippi is also a striking illustration of the power of music. They had been placed in the "inner prison," and secured, besides, in "the stocks." But in this condition, with no apparent possible chance of escape, they rejoiced in the liberty they had in God through faith. "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's hands were loosed." Acts 16:25, 26. The foregoing examples are sufficient illustration of the potency of music when used in connection with an appreciation of and coöperation in the work of God. As to its designed prominence in the worship of God, reference need only be made to the large proportion of the Scriptures themselves designed for song. A large proportion of the psalms are expressly dedicated to this particular use. Indeed, what words could more strongly express the acceptableness of musical worship offered to the Lord than those of the last psalm:—727 "Praise ye the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in the firmament of his power.
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 psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and pipe [margin];
Praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals;
Praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals.
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord."
(To be continued.)