The book of Psalms contains numerous references to music and musical instruments. This reflects the importance of music in ancient Israelite worship. The Psalms were meant to be sung during temple worship and private devotion. Understanding the musical terminology used in the Psalms gives us a window into the rich musical culture of ancient Israel.
Instruments Mentioned in the Psalms
Several instruments are mentioned by name in the Psalms:
– Harp – This is the most commonly mentioned instrument in the Psalms. The Hebrew word is kinnor, referring to a plucked string instrument resembling a lyre. Harps were portable and could be played to accompany singing (Psalm 33:2).
– Lyre – Very similar to the harp, but with a distinct sound. It too had strings plucked by the fingers (Psalm 57:8).
– Lute – A version of the lyre but with a deep resonating sound. It is referenced poetically in Psalm 92:3.
– Trumpet – Usually made of metal, the trumpet (shofar in Hebrew) was played on special occasions and to announce events. They are associated with God’s appearance on Mount Sinai (Psalm 98:6).
– Flute – A pipe instrument made of bone, wood, or metal and played by blowing across a hole. Flutes are mentioned along with harps and lyres as instruments of praise (Psalm 150:4).
– Tambourine – An percussion instrument consisting of a wooden frame with bells or jingling pieces around the edges. They provided rhythm and excitement to music and dance (Psalm 149:3).
– Cymbals – Large metal plates played by clashing them together. They marked musical cadences and heightened celebration (Psalm 150:5).
– Horn – This ambiguous term may refer to a shofar or a ram’s horn trumpet. Horns featured in temple orchestras and public assemblies (Psalm 98:6).
– Pipe – Another ambiguous term that probably refers to some type of woodwind instrument like a flute or recorder (Psalm 150:4).
In addition to specific instruments, the Psalms sometimes refer generically to playing upon the “strings” (Psalm 150:4) or upon “instruments of ten strings” (Psalm 33:2, 144:9). The Hebrews had developed string instruments of various numbers of strings.
Musical and Choral Terms
The Psalms utilize rich vocabulary to describe the performance of music and song:
– Sing/sing praises – The most common musical term, referring to singing songs of worship to God (Psalm 96:1).
– Shout joyfully – Ecstatic singing and shouting in celebration of God (Psalm 95:1).
– Make melody/play skillfully – Careful musical praise and artful performance were valued (Psalm 33:3).
– With instruments and Lyre/Harp/Lute – Instruments often accompanied singing for fuller musical sound.
– Set to music – Possibly indicating the composition of tunes for particular Psalms (Psalm 65:1).
– Director of music/choir director – There were official leaders who oversaw temple musicians and worship (Psalm 4 inscription).
– Selah – A musical interlude or pause giving time to reflect on the lyrics and praise God.
– Together/in unison – Singing and playing instruments harmoniously as one choir.
– Loud clashing cymbals – The cacophonous noise of percussion instruments heightening celebration.
– Ten-stringed instruments – A generic reference to the most advanced string instruments of the day.
– With trumpet blast – The exciting sound of brass instruments on momentous occasions.
The book of Psalms was the ancient hymnal of God’s people in which poetry and music joined together powerfully. The musical terminology gives us a sense of the instruments, choral arrangements, styles of singing, and moods of praise that existed in early Jewish worship. Though the specific tunes and melodies are lost to us, we can praise God today with the same joy and artistry reflected in the Psalms.
Styles and Moods of Music in the Psalms
The Psalms cover the whole spectrum of human emotion and devote this to God’s service through creative musical expression. Various psalms portray different musical moods:
Joyful – Many psalms overflow with energetic joy, gladness, and delight at what God has done. The music is loud and celebratory (Psalm 95:1-2; 100:1-2).
Triumphant – Victory and success psalms feature triumphant fanfares and praise to God with trumpet blasts and clashing cymbals (Psalm 47:1, 5-6).
Gentle – Soft stringed instruments like the harp create a gentle mood of quiet praise and meditation (Psalm 23:2).
Elegant – Some psalms suggest stately music with artistry, poise, and grace befitting God (Psalm 33:1-3).
Boisterous – The noise and energy of musical praise can echo boisterous celebration (Psalm 150).
Melancholy – Set to slower minor key music, some psalms express sadness over sin, injustice, and human futility apart from God.
Ancient Israel used this variety of musical moods to honestly express the full range of human emotion before God. The passion of the Psalms teaches us to make music a rich, sincere, and authentic medium of worship to God.
The Prominence of Music in Ancient Israelite Society
The prominence of music in the Psalms reflects the importance of music in the broader religious and social culture of ancient Israel:
– Musicians had an official role in temple worship services through vocal choirs and instrumental orchestras (1 Chronicles 15:16-24).
– Music was a regular part of religious festivals and processions (Isaiah 30:29).
– Victory in battle was celebrated with music (Exodus 15; 1 Samuel 18:6-7).
– Music brought prophets into an inspired state of mind (1 Samuel 10:5; 2 Kings 3:15).
– Shepherds played musical instruments in the fields (1 Samuel 16:16-23).
– Singing and dancing were signs of celebration (Jeremiah 31:4,13).
– Dirges were composed to mourn the dead (2 Samuel 1:17).
– Love songs were written extolling romantic and physical love (Song of Solomon).
– Musicians formed guilds and were employed by the royal court (Ecclesiastes 2:8).
So for the ancient Israelites, music was woven into all aspects of life. The ubiquitous presence of music in the Psalms reflects how fundamental it was to Jewish culture and worship. The beautiful poetry of the Psalms was meant to be united to song.
The Emotional Impact of Music in the Psalms
One key contribution of the musical language of the Psalms is the expression and induction of deep human emotion. The moods, metaphors, and vivid imagery of the Psalms powerfully move the emotions when set to music. Several examples illustrate this:
Psalm 42:1-3 uses vivid metaphors of a deer panting for water to convey the psalmist’s extreme thirst and longing for the living God. The yearning and pathos is magnified when sung melodiously.
Psalm 98:4-6 describes joyful, boisterous musical praise to God with trumpets, cymbals, harps, and loud singing. The poetic images evoke and intensify the exuberance of praise when actually sung.
Psalm 130:1-2 uses the metaphor of crying out desperately from the depths to convey urgent longing for God’s forgiveness. The feeling of contrition is stirred up in song.
Psalm 137:1-4 captures the tragic sorrow of exiled Jews remembering Zion. The weeping and heartbreak is evoked powerfully when plaintively sung.
Music has an unparalleled power to stir up emotion and unite it to spiritual truth. The Psalmists skillfully wrote lyrics suited to rouse and shape the affections in praise to God. This teaches us the importance of the emotional side of worship.
The Priority of Worship in the Use of Music
While the Psalms highlight how music can sanctify all of life, they ultimately anchor music in the worship and praise of God. Whatever its wider applications, the supreme purpose of music is the glory of God. The Psalms keep worship central:
– Most psalms include direct commands to praise God in song (Psalm 96:1-3; 98:1,4-6; 149:1-3).
– Music is consistently portrayed as the proper response to God’s character and saving deeds (Psalm 59:16-17; 101:1).
– All the earth joins in musical praise, not just Israel (Psalm 96:1,11-13).
– All peoples and classes unite together in temple choirs to praise God (Psalm 132:9,12,16).
– The vocal and instrumental music is presented to God as a fitting offering (Psalm 96:8).
– Creation itself joins instruments and voices in a cosmic chorus of praise (Psalm 148).
The Psalms teach that music at its best is an artistic medium to channel the spiritual longing and praise of the human soul back to the Creator. All musical gifts find their highest purpose in the worship of God.
Conclusion
The musical language and imagery of the Psalms give us a glimpse into the dynamic musical culture of ancient Israel. We see how fundamental music was to both public worship and everyday life. The psalmists display tremendous creative freedom in adapting music to express every human circumstance and emotion before God. The prominence of music in the Psalms serves as a model for the people of God today. Musical gifts are to be cultivated and used primarily to lead others into passionate, thoughtful, skillful worship of the Lord. For supremely music gives voice to the human heart longing for its Maker. Just as the Psalms once functioned as the hymnal for Israel, so churches today rely on them as a divinely inspired guide for blending music, poetry, and spirituality into heartfelt and well-ordered worship.