Music in the Bible by Augusta W. Heald

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 18, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 16.

Music in the Bible

By Augusta W. Heald

By Augusta W. Heald

MUSIC is of more ancient origin than the earth itself. The Almighty inquired of Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth; . . . when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Job 38:4, 7.

The use of musical instruments was well known in the antediluvian age; for we read that Jubal, the son of Lamech, was "the father of all such as handle the harp and organ." Gen. 4:21.

After the victorious passage of the Red Sea, Moses led the children of Israel in a song of triumph. Miriam the prophetess also led the women with the timbrel and dance, in the responsive strain, "Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea." Ex. 15:21.

The youthful David played skilfully upon the harp, and by his sweet music drove out the evil spirit from Saul, the favored King of Israel. 1 Sam. 16:17, 23. The psalms and sacred songs composed in later years, when he sat upon the kingly throne, have brought comfort and strength to Christians of every age.

King Solomon also was a musical composer. "His songs were a thousand and five." 1 Kings 4:32.

There were musical families in Israel, Asaph and Jeduthun with their sons, and Heman the King's seer with his fourteen sons and three daughters. All these, and others, were trained "according to the King's order," for the service of the sanctuary, with song, cymbals, psalteries, and harps. The number of trained singers was "two hundred fourscore and eight." 1 Chronicles 25.

The good King Jehoshaphat, when attacked by the enemy in great numbers, appointed the singers to go out before the army; and as they sang loud praises to God, the ranks of the enemy became disorganized, and they destroyed one another. Thus a signal victory was accomplished through the instrumentality of song. 2 Chronicles 20.

Our Saviour's first advent to earth, as the Babe of Bethlehem, was heralded by the song of angels, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men." Luke 2:14.

There will be glad songs in the glorious resurrection morning when Jesus comes again, to claim His own. "Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. 26:19.

There is song in heaven. "As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there." Ps. 87:7. "And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints." Rev. 15:3.

We may well believe that when Jesus gathers His own to the home above, hands now unskilled will touch the golden harps with sweet accord, and voices now untuned to harmony, through earth's limitations, will there join in sweetest strains the "new song" which none can learn save those "which were redeemed from the earth."

Windham, New Hampshire.