”Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11
Music: Where did it come from? Did it just spring up today? Did it just spring up yesterday? Did it originate with the Romans? Did it originate with the Egyptians? Did it originate with men? The Bible teaches us that music came from God, and was created for His glory. It has existed in heaven apart from men. ” [T]he four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, …. And they sung a new song, saying…” (Rev. 5:8-9)
The famous biochemist, Sir Ernst Chain, proclaimed that music is one way in which people are made to believe in Divine power (Ernst Boris Chain, Wikipedia). It is no wonder, for God’s fingerprints are all over music. The chord a basic part of music, in its simplest form is made up of three distinct notes in harmony. The God-head, in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is made up of three distinct persons in harmony. Other notes can be in harmony and form a chord with the three, but there is no chord without the three.
The Greek language has the word, “homothymadon “. Defining this word Larry Pierce (who combined several NT Greek dictionaries, and Strong’s information into one volume) writes, “The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church.” This word is used in Acts 4:24, as “one accord”. “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:” (Homothymadon, Blue Letter Bible).
“. . . saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev. 4.10-11).
The Greek language also has the word “symphōneō” from the which we derive our English word “symphony”. It is used in our English Bible, and is translated as “agree” in Matthew 18:19,”Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”
Our English word for accord is also the root of the musical term “chord”. Chord is the shortening of “accord”. (Chord, Online Etymological Dictionary).
Many have experienced music producing, sadness, joy, remorse, or any of a wide array of emotions. But, music’s effects go deeper than this. Music has the ability to affect our spirit. Since, emotions aren’t purely physical, (See, I Sam. 16:23, Lk. 1:47, Eph. 5:19) music, also has the ability to move the spirit. It is clearly seen in that players of music are not limited to the physical realm. The Bible tells us that angels are spirits (Ps. 104.4; Heb. 1.7).
” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Lk. 2:13-14)
” … the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, …. And they sung a new song, saying…” (Rev. 5:8-9)
Music moves us. And it moves us to worship. It has the ability to draw our hearts and minds to Christ. B.H. Carroll, a hardened infidel, turned Baptist preacher, identifies the ability of music to bring his mind to Christ, and as what drew him to come forward:
“The meeting closed without any change upon my part. The last sermon had been preached, the benediction pronounced, and the congregation was dispersing. A few ladies only remained, seated near the pulpit and engaged in singing. Feeling that the experiment was ended and the solution not found, I remained to hear them sing. As their last song, they sang: O land of rest, for thee I sigh, When will the moment come, When I shall lay my armor by, And dwell in peace at home,
The singing made a wonderful impression upon me. Its tones were as soft as the rustling of angels’ wings. Suddenly there flashed upon my mind, like a light from heaven, this scripture: “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest.” I did not see Jesus with my eye, but I seemed to see Him standing before me, looking reproachfully and tenderly and pleadingly, seeming to rebuke me for having gone to all other sources for rest but the right one, and now inviting me to come to Him. In a moment I went, once and forever, casting myself unreservedly and for all time at Christ’s feet, and in a moment the rest came, indescribable and unspeakable, and it has remained from that day until now.” (My Infidelity)
Music makes people realize that there is a God. Music draws people to worship.
But, the question must be asked “What god does it draw them to worship?” Music’s profound effects can be seen have not always been for the better. Ezekiel describes Satan before he fell its 28th chapter:
“[T]he workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” (Ezek. 28:13)
The Devil was created a master musician. What would he wish to influence people to do?
” Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.” (Dn. 3:7)
The Greeks also worshiped their god “Apollo”, or “Apollyon”, as “the god of music”.
Ephesians 2:2-3 tells us, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
Although, it might be dedicated to the God of Heaven, or the God that brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt the music in a worship service may be directed by a different spirit altogether.
Exodus 32:17-19 reads,”And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. And he said, It is not the voice of them ….. that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing…”
In this worship service Aaron made a molten calf and said, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 32:4).
The Bible tells us that the Devil, is actively seeking whom he may devour. We know that he is a musician. To conclude that he would never use music to influence the people of God is unthinkable. He also would love to corrupt any true worship to the God of heaven.
Notice the English word “incantation”. Its base word “cant” comes from a Latin word meaning “to sing”. The word “enchantment”. comes from the Old French “encantement” which contains the meaning “song, concert, and chorus” (Online Etymological Dictionary).
The Devil since the beginning has used something near the heart of man to get him to go astray. He did this when he approached Eve, and he can do this through music. We ought not to confuse an “emotional high” induced by music for the Spirit of God.
The Bible tells us of seven things God particularly hates.
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him . . . A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19
Out of seven things God particularly hates, the last two are a false witness, and that which sows discord among his people. Now, discord is another musical terms. It means “lack of harmony”. Is the music in harmony with God, and the Spirit of God?
Does the music make you feel any of the fruits of the Spirit? “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance?” (Gal. 5.22-23)
Does the music make you want to be peaceful, longsuffering and forbearing of others?
Does the music make you feel meek and quiet (I Pt. 3.4)? Does melody make you feel that it is only by the grace of God you are what you are? (I Cor. 15.10) Or does the melody make you feel proud that you are not like other men? (Luke 18:11-13)
To worship means “sink down” “to depress” (Strong’s) in other words it is to lower ourselves. John the Baptist said this, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
Which spirit is directing the worship service?
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2.2-3
Music is so important. It is also a powerful tool. We ought to use it in a way that will bring glory and honour to Him, and inspire others towards a love for Him.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:15-17
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
When Ravens Cry 