Musical Instruments, or the lack thereof

We shall sleep but not forever sung by members of the Mt. Hebrew PBC, Alabama. To listen, requires real player.

 

Just listened to the above. Sounds very much like Oak Chapel Black Baptist Church here in Central Missouri.

 

Good Post, Artimaeus. This logic could be used on many of the threads on this Board.

Amen!

 

Regarding the use of instruments in the worship of God:

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” Ephesians 5:19

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

The background of the word "psalms" implies the use of stringed intruments.
psalmos: a striking, twanging
1a) of a striking the chords of a musical instrument
1b) of a pious song, a psalm

Many instruments were used in the Temple worship, and would have been used in the days of our Lord's life here on earth. He was at the Temple several times, and never condemned their use. And we know that He did speak out about other things when He saw wrongdoing!

 

baptistteacher, you are correct on the etymology of the Greek words ψαλμος and &#968αλλο. But it is not correct to assume that the use of these words carries with them the always implied meaning of singing with a musical instrument. If so, a few New Testament passages would approach nonsensical, and besides that, the argument would prove much more than most instrumentalists are willing to assert - that the command to &#968αλλο requires that we MUST sing with musical instruments (if that's what the word means).

 

rlvaughn, the word "psalm" doesn't "imply" the use of musical instruments, it is part of the definition of the word that this is a song or poem to be sung to the accompaniment of a musical instrument. Spiritual songs, hymns, making melody and such do not imply that and may or may not use musical instruments. Just like acapella doesn't "imply" the nonuse of musical instruments, it is part of the definition. I don't know whether or not God was "commanding" us to use musical instruments when we sing psalms, but that is their stated purpose so I would tend to go with that. The only songs God wrote were songs to be sung with instruments, so I have a hard time accepting that that is wrong. He didn't write any acapella songs so maybe those are wrong.

 

Artimaeus, I disagree. The simplest definition of the word "psalm" is "a song." It doesn't always carry the idea that it must be a poem sung with a musical instrument (or, IOW, that is not the sole definition).

If you will read back over my posts, you may notice that you have incorrectly assumed that I have argued that it is wrong to use musical instruments.

 

On the back of our church orchestra t-shirt:

Psalms 33:1-3 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

 

Artemeaus, and Baptist Teacher, ya'll brought up some great points. I've got to agree with ya'll.
~Abby

 

Sorry about that, I tend to get who said what to whom a little twisted around sometimes.
A psalm may not "ALWAYS carry the idea that it MUST be a poem sung with a musical instrument", but, that is the usual customary meaning and a possible exception doesn't negate my argument that it is a normal and acceptable activity in worship service. It would have been so normal and accepted that it shouldn't have even occured to anyone to relegate it to something less than acceptable.

 

Chapter? and Verse? (I haven't said that in a long time.) If you mean post-Bible history, I find that interesting but never compelling.

 

nehemiah.....


Sherrie

 

Su Wei,
I agree wholeheartedly!

I do not understand what any rational group of human beings would have against musical instruments. I do agree, however, that it is their right to do so, and I am sure that they love the Lord, but I would NEVER attend any church that did not use instruments. The more the merrier.

 

Artimaeus, nice to see you arguing that God has a preferred style.

Yes, the word "psalm" is more indicative of style than content. And notice that God did not say, "spiritual psalms."

Neither did he specify "spiritual hymns."

The reason is obvious: he didn't have to. The content is undertood. It is understood that Christians cannot worship with psalms and hymns to pagan deities.

So, when Paul says, "spiritual songs," he is saying that the church may avail herself of any style commonly employed by men as long as it is a spiritual (i.e., non-sensual) style.

Paeans and Dithyrambs were the "tavern" styles of Paul's day, and he excludes those when he says, "be not drunk with wine, but be ye filled with the spirit..."

Obviously he is not saying that music can impart the Holy Ghost. He is simply demarcating the styles that are carnal and spiritual. And guess what? He didn't point them to the words as the criteria!

 

not that the use or non-use of instruments should be a deciding factor.... but i must say, i would be most miserable in a church that sung acapella because that's the conviction of the church.

The more the merrier? I'll say... We've got 3 flutes, a clarinet, an Eb horn, two cellos, 4 violins, (sometimes a viola)... we love playing together and we love serving the Lord in this ministry, and we believe we are enhancing the spirit of worship!

Any cellists out there???!?! (Still searching...)

 

Ooooo... a family orchestra. How lovely!

I'm waiting patiently for mine to be old enough to start formal instruction....
(My three yr old bangs stories on the piano. The other day, he was banging and talking about how someone lost his mommy.. )

where's Justified?

 

That's okay...we wouldn't want anybody in our church that wanted to bring instruments into the service.

And, the same you said could be applied to me, though vice versa.

I would never attend a church that had musical instruments.

Oh well, I guess we won't be visitng each others' churches any time soon.

Bummer, huh?

 

Bro. Reed,
I did not say that I would not visit a church that did not use instruments. I would do this in a minute. I would enjoy the service and never say a word about this difference. This would not be an issue that would cause me to break fellowship. I just would not join this church. I would still attend when I could.