A cappella singing, no instruments

[Salty]

This subject came up on another thread.

So lets talk about it.

Should we only sing A cappella?
Does the Bible teach that using musical instruments is wrong or even sinful?

Do we consider that we are free to act unless the Bible forbids it
or
Do we consider that we should only act as the Bible allows?

One other thing, to add this discussion:
Many years ago, at our radio station a gospel group brought in a tape of their singing, which included musical instruments.
However, their church would not use musical instruments during their worship services.

Open for discussion

 

[Ascetic X]

This subject came up on another thread.

So lets talk about it.

Should we only sing A cappella?
Does the Bible teach that using musical instruments is wrong or even sinful?

Do we consider that we are free to act unless the Bible forbids it
or
Do we consider that we should only act as the Bible allows?

Where in the Bible does it say that no musical instruments should be used in churches?

Some say, if the New Testament does not command something, it should not be done. But I see no command that men must wear clothes in church.

Long ago, I saw information about how when poor Reformed churches, with no budget, could not afford to buy a piano or organ, they decided to save face by denouncing musical instruments as worldly and sinful.

In fact many Reformed churches restricted or banned musical instruments in worship, favoring a cappella (unaccompanied) singing of Psalms, based on the Regulative Principle of Worship, which requires explicit biblical authorization for elements of worship. While early reformers like Calvin, Zwingli, and later Puritans opposed musical instruments, the ban evolved to vary by denomination and local church.

• Historical Context: Following the Reformation, musical instruments were often removed from churches in the Netherlands, Scotland, and England, as they were viewed as unnecessary Old Testament ceremonies.
• Theological Basis: The primary reasoning was the absence of a direct command to use instruments in New Testament worship, with the focus placed on vocal praise and "singing in the heart".
• Reintroduction: The reintroduction of organs and instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries onward was often based on pragmatism or expediency, rather than a change in biblical interpretation.

The first recorded example of instruments in worship is the introduction of an organ into a Roman church by Pope Vitalianus in 670. The next example was in 812 when Charlemagne had a copy of a court organ made for a cathedral. They remained extremely uncommon for centuries.


Aquinas said in the 13th century:

"The Church does not use musical instruments such as the harp or lyre when praising God, in case she should seem to fall back into Judaism. ... For musical instruments usually move the soul more to pleasure than create inner moral goodness.

But in the Old Testament, they used instruments of this kind, both because the people were more coarse and carnal, so that they needed to be aroused by such instruments and with worldly promises, and also because these bodily instruments were symbolic of something."


It wasn't until the 14th and 15th centuries that the organ gained more widespread prominence, so at the time of the Reformation instruments were still, relatively speaking, novelties in the church.

But in Psalms, many different instruments are commanded to be played.

Instruments Mentioned in Psalms (primarily Psalm 150):

• Trumpet/Horn: Shofar (ram's horn) and Chatsotserah (silver trumpet).
• Strings: Kinnor (lyre/harp), Nevel (large harp), and general strings.
• Percussion: Toph (tambourine/timbrel/drum), Metsiltayim (cymbals), and bells.
• Wind: Halil (pipe/flute/reed pipe) and Ugav (shepherd’s pipe/flute).

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

This subject came up on another thread.

So lets talk about it.

Should we only sing A cappella?
Does the Bible teach that using musical instruments is wrong or even sinful?

Do we consider that we are free to act unless the Bible forbids it
or
Do we consider that we should only act as the Bible allows?

One other thing, to add this discussion:
Many years ago, at our radio station a gospel group brought in a tape of their singing, which included musical instruments.
However, their church would not use musical instruments during their worship services.

Open for discussion

I prefer it to band music

 

[JonC]

I think it is fine to sing a A cappella.

Worship music in the Bible typically wasn't (I assume it was when necessary, like Paul in jail).

God tells His people to worship Him with instruments (naming several). But I understand this as God encouraging their worship using int instruments they used (I do not believe God was commanding the use of drums, horns and lyres).


If it were wrong to use instruments then God would have commanded against it instead of encouraging it.

I think it is also intentional that the types of instruments God lists is pretty inclusive (drums, stringed instruments, horns).

 

[Martin Marprelate]

The rational behind a capella singing in churches is that New Testament worship is different from the worship in the Temple. THere is no mention of any musical instruments at all in the N.T. and therefore, it is claimed, we should not have instruments in churches.

There is a tiny number of churches in Britain that sing only unaccompanied Psalms. However, at Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle, they sang hymns, but almost always a capella. The only exception was when Moody and Sankey came to the Tabernacle, and were allowed to use some sort of musical contraption.

My church sometimes sings a capella, but that's because we only have one keyboard player at present. Instruments are great for keeping us in key and in time, but IMO they are not there for entertainment. We sing to God, not for our enjoyment. We can do that down the pub

 

[Jerome]

This was reported in Spurgeon's The Sword and the Trowel:

"Messrs. Clark and Smith, two worthy students of our college, will commence evangelistic work next August. We have engaged to find them a maintenance, that they may go through the length and breadth of the land and preach Christ. They are very lively and able speakers. Mr. Smith is a singer, and also plays upon a cornet, by which means he not only fetches in the people to the service, but interests them when they are gathered together. We have made him a present of a new silver trumpet, upon which is engraved a verse from the Psalms, 'With trumpet and sound of cornet, make a joyful noise before the Lord the King'."

 

[Jerome]

There is a tiny number of churches in Britain that sing only unaccompanied Psalms.

What about those Psalms that describe praising the Lord with harp and psaltery, with trumpet and cymbal?

Do they sing those?

Awkward!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The rational behind a capella singing in churches is that New Testament worship is different from the worship in the Temple. THere is no mention of any musical instruments at all in the N.T. and therefore, it is claimed, we should not have instruments in churches.

There is a tiny number of churches in Britain that sing only unaccompanied Psalms. However, at Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle, they sang hymns, but almost always a capella. The only exception was when Moody and Sankey came to the Tabernacle, and were allowed to use some sort of musical contraption.

My church sometimes sings a capella, but that's because we only have one keyboard player at present. Instruments are great for keeping us in key and in time, but IMO they are not there for entertainment. We sing to God, not for our enjoyment. We can do that down the pub

Ahhh and my Welsh family’s together with the Irish they do some of the best singing drunk. We even had the head abbot coming in from the monastery after dark … named Jerome and he ran AA meetings. We would call him the drunk Monk and he could sink a tune I tell you.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

This was reported in Spurgeon's The Sword and the Trowel:

"Messrs. Clark and Smith, two worthy students of our college, will commence evangelistic work next August. We have engaged to find them a maintenance, that they may go through the length and breadth of the land and preach Christ. They are very lively and able speakers. Mr. Smith is a singer, and also plays upon a cornet, by which means he not only fetches in the people to the service, but interests them when they are gathered together. We have made him a present of a new silver trumpet, upon which is engraved a verse from the Psalms, 'With trumpet and sound of cornet, make a joyful noise before the Lord the King'."

Indeed. The Met Tab also donated organs (musical ones, that is!) to smaller churches, but never had one while Spurgeon was pastor.
It has one now.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Indeed. The Met Tab also donated organs (musical ones, that is!) to smaller churches, but never had one while Spurgeon was pastor.
It has one now.

Bach would be pleased

 

[Martin Marprelate]

What about those Psalms that describe praising the Lord with harp and psaltery, with trumpet and cymbal?

Do they sing those?

Awkward!

I have no idea. I have only once attended such a church. But until recently, the Free Church of Scotland only sang unaccompanied metrical Psalms, and some of the smaller Presbyterian churches carry that on to this day.
But you are aware, I suppose that King David laid down the musical instruments that should be played in the Temple to accompany worship (1Chron. 23:5) and trumpets were not among them. His regulations were followed by those who came after him (e.g. Neh. 12:24, 27b, 36). The arguments of those who believe in unaccompanied metrical Psalms can be found here: Q and A

In giving that link, please do not suppose that I agree with it - I don't! I do agree with the Regulative Principle of Worship, but I interpret it rather more generously than does the link.

 

[Ben1445]

Psalm 4
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.
Neginoth - stringed instrument.

Psalm 5
To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.
Nehiloth - uncertain, but believed to be similar to the flute.

Psalm 8
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.
Gittith - harp


Psalm 12
To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.
Sheminith - 8 string lyre.


Psalm 45
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.
Shoshannim - trumpet.


I’ll stop there.
I’ve not got into the link yet for arguments against, but here are some for.

 

[Jerome]

But you are aware, I suppose that King David laid down the musical instruments that should be played in the Temple to accompany worship (1Chron. 23:5) and trumpets were not among them. His regulations were followed by those who came after him (e.g. Neh. 12:24, 27b, 36).

Please everyone read the four verses that MM cited:

1 Chronicles 23:5 "Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith."

Nehemiah 12:24 "And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward."
Nehemiah 12:27 "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."
Nehemiah 12:36 "And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them."

And also the verse he skipped over!

Nehemiah 12:35 "And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:"

Then ask yourself, do those Scriptures really say what MM says they say?

 

[Ben1445]

As I read through some of that linked site, the thought occurred to me that if you only sing what someone else has written, inspired or not, then your praise is limited by others.
It begs the question, is it okay to worship or praise the Lord using any language at all that is not in Scripture. (Rabbit hole: which translation is acceptable since we are so rigid about it?)

Matthew 21:16
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

I’m quite certain that while the Jews of the day were not oblivious to what they were attempting to do, they did not realize the extent of the praise that they gave.
The learned people warned Jesus of the “mistake.”
Jesus reminded them that praise is perfected by those who are unable to fully comprehend the magnitude of their words.
It reminds me of the widows mites. A smaller denomination, and yet a larger gift.

As we age in “knowledge,” the greatness of God is diminished in our minds. We are more self sufficient. To a child, the world is full of wonder. And properly, the magnificence and magnitude of the work of God does not deserve any less praise after we know how adhesion and cohesion and iridescence and air pressure and a myriad of other things make bubbles. But children are better at praise because their perspective is more accurate. They are small and everything is far above them.
As David said, I will be base in my own sight.
God might use more people to praise Him were we of the same mind.
If we relegate praise to what has been done by others, don’t be surprised when you hear the rocks.

 

[Ben1445]

As I read through some of that linked site, the thought occurred to me that if you only sing what someone else has written, inspired or not, then your praise is limited by others.
It begs the question, is it okay to worship or praise the Lord using any language at all that is not in Scripture. (Rabbit hole: which translation is acceptable since we are so rigid about it?)

Matthew 21:16
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

I’m quite certain that while the Jews of the day were not oblivious to what they were attempting to do, they did not realize the extent of the praise that they gave.
The learned people warned Jesus of the “mistake.”
Jesus reminded them that praise is perfected by those who are unable to fully comprehend the magnitude of their words.
It reminds me of the widows mites. A smaller denomination, and yet a larger gift.

As we age in “knowledge,” the greatness of God is diminished in our minds. We are more self sufficient. To a child, the world is full of wonder. And properly, the magnificence and magnitude of the work of God does not deserve any less praise after we know how adhesion and cohesion and iridescence and air pressure and a myriad of other things make bubbles. But children are better at praise because their perspective is more accurate. They are small and everything is far above them.
As David said, I will be base in my own sight.
God might use more people to praise Him were we of the same mind.
If we relegate praise to what has been done by others, don’t be surprised when you hear the rocks.

If God is daily loading us with benefits, may we only praise Him with inspired Scripture?
Or does God want genuine thanks related to the goodness given to us directly.
I am all for more Scripture incorporated into our lives. But I don’t want to live a life characterized by plagiarizing someone else’s praise.