This is such a large topic for me. I have thought deeply about this since I was a child. (See my testimony elsewhere on this site.) I like to look at our heavenly Father’s written word before even delving into my understanding of this topic. I try to understand what the word would have meant to the original hearers/readers before I apply the word to myself.
There is much to be gleaned in these verses that speak to me as a musician. I think it’s best initially simply to read each verse and meditate on it before I comment in a second installment. I certainly have comments; they just won’t have the same impact if one doesn’t understand the context. It may even help to go back to the scripture and read the context of each quote below. I know my personal tendency is to skip reading the verses as I say to myself, “Yeah, I’ve read that before, I know what that verse says.” I find, though, I gain deeper understanding and through which, life-changing conviction by taking the time to lay aside my preconceived notions, reading deeply, and meditating on the words of the King of the Universe. He just might be able to speak to our hearts directly.
“Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalms 149:1-9, KJV.
“In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.” Amos 9:11-13, KJV.
“And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.” 1 Chronicles 15:16, KJV.
“And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.” 1 Chronicles 15:22, KJV.
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” Psalms 27:4-6, KJV.
“And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.” 2 Samuel 6:5, KJV.
“So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel. And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand. Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges: Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.” 1 Chronicles 23:1-5, KJV.
I pray that God would speak to our hearts and cause us to hear His Voice clearly that we would have a clearer understanding of Music in Praise and Prophecy
