A Sound of Music

1 Chronicles 25:7
“So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.”

Sometimes, when I have seen beautiful works of visual art, I have felt a pang of jealousy, wishing I was able to paint or to draw as well as that. Then God reminds me that He gave me gifts in another art form. As long as I can remember, music has been a part of my life, both in performance and in composition.

Music is a uniquely biblical art form. The psalmists left instructions for musicians as part of the inspired text, often emphasizing that the performers must play skillfully. Mediocre music does not seem to be the order of the day. Music is expected to be good!

Music is the art form most closely associated with worship. We have already mentioned the Psalms. This is the biggest book of the Bible. One hundred fifty songs, of every style possible, with musical comments that might, today, be difficult for us to understand, but which clearly have an important meaning. One of the psalmists was a man called Asaph. We read that he and his brothers were in charge of worship because they were skillful at it. (1 Chronicles 25:7)

But music is not always an influence for good. We note that the first musician mentioned in the Bible was one of the sons of Lamech, the descendant of Cain. Music can mold the emotions like no other art form, and this power can be used for sin or for worship of God.

We know that one day, in the new heaven and new earth, we will look forward to singing praises to God the King forever.

We long to sing praises to Your Name all the day long, Holy God. Thank You that in the world to come, we will all be able to sing Your praises for eternity. Amen.

Author: Paul F. Taylor

Ref: Edgar, W. (1986), Taking Note of Music), (Third Way Books). Image: Public Domain.