Organized by topics
byDavid E. Knauss
Ph.D. in Music Education
Doc. Humane Letters, Honoris Causa
Music seems to be of superior importance to God and His Kingdom. Music is mentioned in many different contexts in Scripture, such as in the following. The following does not explain how music may be connected to these contexts, or what comprises an existing relationship, but only that music is in the context and that some sort of connection may be inferred.
Seven music topics are organized beginning with God first and mankind after. Since God is preeminent, the first major section (this Part 1 document) is about music directly connected to God, which covers Music and God Himself, Music and Worship, Music and Beauty of Holiness, Music and Communion, Music and Warfare (Physical and Spiritual), Music and Prophecy, and Music and a New Song. The second section, in the following document Part 2, is about mankind’s various involvements with music. Part 2 document presents Music and Emotions, Music and Education, Music and Communications, Music Instruments, Music and Other Connections, and Negatives Related to Music.
Music Directly Connected to God
The first major division is music directly connected to God. Music is for Worshipping God, celebrating the Beauty of His Holiness, celebrating Communion, having Him enact Warfare (Spiritual and Physical), Prophecy, and Salvation (New Song).
Music During Creation
Job 38:4-7 (KJV), “4. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. 5. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6. Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7. when the morning stars sang together, and all the angels [Hebrew sons of God] shouted for joy?”
God Created Lucifer
Did God create a being to embody beauty, art, and music? Lucifer (“shining one, light-bringing, morning star”).
In the following passages, many interpret them as God describing Lucifer / Satan while speaking prophetic judgements against the kings of Tyre and Babylon.
Exekiel 28:13-15, 17 (KJV), “13. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 17. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:”
Isaiah 14:11-14 (KJV), “11. Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols [sound of your harps]: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee [worms for your bed and covering]. 12. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
If the above interpretation is true, then is it easy to understand why everything Lucifer once was and did to glorify God, he now counterfeits and corrupts to destroy men’s souls (art, beauty, demonic music, pornography).
In his fallen state, Lucifer is Satan (“adversary”) and described as a deceiving “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
God Sings
Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV), “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.”
God’s Song
Psalm 42:8 (KJV), “Yet the Lord will command His loving kindness in the day time, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”
Psalm 42:8 (NIV), “Yet the Lord will command His loving kindness in the day time, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”
God Gives Songs as Gifts
Job 35:10 (Amplified Bible), “But no one says, Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs of rejoicing in the night,”
God Gives Harps as Gifts
Revelation 15:2 (New Living Translation), “I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them.”
Make Harp Music to God
Psalm 33:2 (NIV), “Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre.”
God Blows a Trumpet
Zechariah 9:14 (KJV), “And the Lord shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV), “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”
God’s Voice (Jesus) as a Trumpet and Harp
Revelation 1:10-11 (KJV), “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:”
Revelation 14:2 (NIV & KJV), “And I heard a sound [voice] from heaven, like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.”
(also Psalm 29:3; Psalm 93:4; Jeremiah 51:13; Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 4:1; Revelation 19:6)
Music to Praise God
Psalm 150:3 (KJV), “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.”
Revelation 19:6 (KJV), “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
Music and the Harp
The harp is a special worship instrument to God.
2 Kings 3:15 (KJV & Reformation Study Bible), “But now bring me a minstrel [harpist]. And it came to pass, when the minstrel [harpist] played, that the hand [power and prophetic inspiration] of the Lord came upon him [Elisha].”
Revelation 5:8 (KJV), “And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
Music to Enter Jerusalem and the Temple
2 Chronicles 20:28 (NIV), [When Jehoshaphat returned from the from the battle defeating Moab and Ammon], “They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.” (See below Music and Victory in Battle.)
Music and God’s Presence
God responds with His Presence when music glorifies Him.
2 Chronicles 5:12-14 (KJV), “12. Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) 13. It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; 14. So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.
Psalm 22:3 (KJV), “But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
Psalm 22:3 (New Living Translation), “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”
God’s Presence Inspires Music
Psalm 96:13 (NIV), “Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.”
Psalm 98:4 (NIV), “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;”
Music (Praise) Considered a Sacrifice
Hebrews 13:15 (KJV), “Therefore by Him (Jesus) let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
Restoration of Harp in Worship
Perhaps Psalm 137, which mourns the captivity of Israel with hanging their harps on willow trees, will finally be resolved when the harp is taken down and heard again in worship.
2 Chronicles 20:21 (NKJV), “And when he [Jehoshaphat] had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.”
Psalm 29:2 (NKJV), “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
Psalm 96:9 (NKJV), “Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.”
Music and Communion
Matthew 26:30 (KJV), “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”
(p.p. Mark 14:26)
Music and Warfare (Physical and Spiritual)
Music, Thanking God, and Celebrating Victory
Exodus 15:1 (KJV), “1. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.”
Exodus 15:20-21 (KJV), “20. And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.”
(also 1 Samuel 13:3)
Music and Demonic Deliverance and Healing
1 Samuel 16:23 (KJV), “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
(Also 1 Samuel 18:10)
Music and Victory in Battle
Joshua 6:20 (KJV), “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” (p.p. Joshua 6:5, 16)
2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (KJV), “21. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth for ever. 22. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”
(also Judges 3:27-30; Judges 7:16, 18; Amos 2:2)
Music (Playing) and Warfare
1 Samuel 16:18 (KJV), “Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.”
Psalm 144:1, “Blessed be the Lord my strength who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:”
Music and a New Song (Improvisation)
With Psalm 144:1 as the topic sentence for the Psalm, verse 9 is one of the breakout points under the topic sentence.
Psalm 144:9 (KJV), “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.”
Harp and God’s Power
2 Kings 3:15 (KJV & Reformation Study Bible), “But now bring me a minstrel [harpist]. And it came to pass, when the minstrel [harpist] played, that the hand [power and prophetic inspiration] of the Lord came upon him [Elisha].”
Music and Prophecy
Prophecy is directly connected to God
Revelation 19:10 (New International Version), “At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.’”
(More about Music and Prophecy is presented in the Tabernacle of David)
1 Samuel 10:5-6 (KJV), “5. After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 6. And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.”
(Also 2 Kings 3:14-19)
Music and New Song Connected to Salvation, Victory, God Stepping Forth
Learning to “sing a new song to the Lord” is learning to sing spontaneously improvised songs, which means you have to get past the page in front of you (visual written) and get into hearing what’s in your heart (aural by ear).
Psalm 33:3 (Amplified Bible), “Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound.”
Psalm 40:3 (Wycliffe Bible), “And He sent into my mouth a new song; a song to our God. Many men shall see, and dread; and shall hope in the Lord. (And He put a new song in my mouth; a song to our God. And many shall see this, and shall have fear/and shall be in awe; and then they shall put their trust in the Lord.)”
Psalm 96:1 (KJV), “O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.”
Psalm 98:1 (KJV), “O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.”
Psalm 144:9 (KJV), “I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto Thee.”
Psalm 149:1 (The Message), “Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song, praise Him in the company of all who love Him.”
Isaiah 42:10-13 (The Message), “Sing to God a brand-new song, sing His praises all over the world! Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with all the far-flung islands joining in. Let the desert and its camps raise a tune, calling the Kedar nomads to join in. Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir and perform from the tops of the mountains. Make God’s glory resound; echo His praises from coast to coast. God steps out like He means business. You can see He’s primed for action. He shouts, announcing His arrival; He takes charge and his enemies fall into line:”
Revelation 5:9 (KJV), “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
Revelation 14:3 (Amplified Bible), “And they sang a new song before the throne [of God] and before the four living creatures and before the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin]. No one could learn [to sing] that song except the 144,000 who had been ransomed (purchased, redeemed) from the earth.”
David E. Knauss
Ph.D. in Music Education.
www.classroom-music.info
Dr. Knauss mentors student teachers and regular teachers into teaching excellence. He taught for 3 decades in inner-city public schools, winning over street kids into being like family, became one of the principle curriculum writers for an award-winning, internationally-recognized music department. He retired from public schools, completed a Ph.D. in Music Education, and presently is an adjunct music education professor at Baptist Bible College.
byDavid E. Knauss
Ph.D. in Music Education
Doc. Humane Letters, Honoris Causa
Music seems to be of superior importance to God and His Kingdom. Music is mentioned in many different contexts in Scripture, such as in the following. The following does not explain how music may be connected to these contexts, or what comprises an existing relationship, but only that music is in the context and that some sort of connection may be inferred.
Seven music topics are organized beginning with God first and mankind after. Since God is preeminent, the first major section (this Part 1 document) is about music directly connected to God, which covers Music and God Himself, Music and Worship, Music and Beauty of Holiness, Music and Communion, Music and Warfare (Physical and Spiritual), Music and Prophecy, and Music and a New Song. The second section, in the following document Part 2, is about mankind’s various involvements with music. Part 2 document presents Music and Emotions, Music and Education, Music and Communications, Music Instruments, Music and Other Connections, and Negatives Related to Music.
Music Directly Connected to God
The first major division is music directly connected to God. Music is for Worshipping God, celebrating the Beauty of His Holiness, celebrating Communion, having Him enact Warfare (Spiritual and Physical), Prophecy, and Salvation (New Song).
Music and God Himself
Music During Creation
Job 38:4-7 (KJV), “4. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. 5. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6. Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7. when the morning stars sang together, and all the angels [Hebrew sons of God] shouted for joy?”
God Created Lucifer
Did God create a being to embody beauty, art, and music? Lucifer (“shining one, light-bringing, morning star”).
In the following passages, many interpret them as God describing Lucifer / Satan while speaking prophetic judgements against the kings of Tyre and Babylon.
Exekiel 28:13-15, 17 (KJV), “13. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 17. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:”
Isaiah 14:11-14 (KJV), “11. Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols [sound of your harps]: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee [worms for your bed and covering]. 12. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
If the above interpretation is true, then is it easy to understand why everything Lucifer once was and did to glorify God, he now counterfeits and corrupts to destroy men’s souls (art, beauty, demonic music, pornography).
In his fallen state, Lucifer is Satan (“adversary”) and described as a deceiving “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
God Sings
Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV), “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.”
God’s Song
Psalm 42:8 (KJV), “Yet the Lord will command His loving kindness in the day time, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”
Psalm 42:8 (NIV), “Yet the Lord will command His loving kindness in the day time, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”
God Gives Songs as Gifts
Job 35:10 (Amplified Bible), “But no one says, Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs of rejoicing in the night,”
God Gives Harps as Gifts
Revelation 15:2 (New Living Translation), “I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them.”
Make Harp Music to God
Psalm 33:2 (NIV), “Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre.”
God Blows a Trumpet
Zechariah 9:14 (KJV), “And the Lord shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV), “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”
God’s Voice (Jesus) as a Trumpet and Harp
Revelation 1:10-11 (KJV), “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:”
Revelation 14:2 (NIV & KJV), “And I heard a sound [voice] from heaven, like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.”
(also Psalm 29:3; Psalm 93:4; Jeremiah 51:13; Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 4:1; Revelation 19:6)
Music and Worship
Music to Praise God
Psalm 150:3 (KJV), “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.”
Revelation 19:6 (KJV), “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
Music and the Harp
The harp is a special worship instrument to God.
2 Kings 3:15 (KJV & Reformation Study Bible), “But now bring me a minstrel [harpist]. And it came to pass, when the minstrel [harpist] played, that the hand [power and prophetic inspiration] of the Lord came upon him [Elisha].”
Revelation 5:8 (KJV), “And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
Music to Enter Jerusalem and the Temple
2 Chronicles 20:28 (NIV), [When Jehoshaphat returned from the from the battle defeating Moab and Ammon], “They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.” (See below Music and Victory in Battle.)
Music and God’s Presence
God responds with His Presence when music glorifies Him.
2 Chronicles 5:12-14 (KJV), “12. Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) 13. It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; 14. So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.
Psalm 22:3 (KJV), “But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
Psalm 22:3 (New Living Translation), “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”
God’s Presence Inspires Music
Psalm 96:13 (NIV), “Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.”
Psalm 98:4 (NIV), “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;”
Music (Praise) Considered a Sacrifice
Hebrews 13:15 (KJV), “Therefore by Him (Jesus) let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
Restoration of Harp in Worship
Perhaps Psalm 137, which mourns the captivity of Israel with hanging their harps on willow trees, will finally be resolved when the harp is taken down and heard again in worship.
Music and Beauty of Holiness
1 Chronicles 16:29 (NKJV), “Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!”2 Chronicles 20:21 (NKJV), “And when he [Jehoshaphat] had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.”
Psalm 29:2 (NKJV), “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
Psalm 96:9 (NKJV), “Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.”
Music and Communion
Matthew 26:30 (KJV), “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”
(p.p. Mark 14:26)
Music and Warfare (Physical and Spiritual)
Music, Thanking God, and Celebrating Victory
Exodus 15:1 (KJV), “1. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.”
Exodus 15:20-21 (KJV), “20. And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.”
(also 1 Samuel 13:3)
Music and Demonic Deliverance and Healing
1 Samuel 16:23 (KJV), “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
(Also 1 Samuel 18:10)
Music and Victory in Battle
Joshua 6:20 (KJV), “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” (p.p. Joshua 6:5, 16)
2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (KJV), “21. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth for ever. 22. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”
(also Judges 3:27-30; Judges 7:16, 18; Amos 2:2)
Music (Playing) and Warfare
1 Samuel 16:18 (KJV), “Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.”
Psalm 144:1, “Blessed be the Lord my strength who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:”
Music and a New Song (Improvisation)
With Psalm 144:1 as the topic sentence for the Psalm, verse 9 is one of the breakout points under the topic sentence.
Psalm 144:9 (KJV), “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.”
Harp and God’s Power
2 Kings 3:15 (KJV & Reformation Study Bible), “But now bring me a minstrel [harpist]. And it came to pass, when the minstrel [harpist] played, that the hand [power and prophetic inspiration] of the Lord came upon him [Elisha].”
Music and Prophecy
Prophecy is directly connected to God
Revelation 19:10 (New International Version), “At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.’”
(More about Music and Prophecy is presented in the Tabernacle of David)
1 Samuel 10:5-6 (KJV), “5. After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 6. And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.”
(Also 2 Kings 3:14-19)
Music and a New Song
Music and New Song Connected to Salvation, Victory, God Stepping Forth
Learning to “sing a new song to the Lord” is learning to sing spontaneously improvised songs, which means you have to get past the page in front of you (visual written) and get into hearing what’s in your heart (aural by ear).
Psalm 33:3 (Amplified Bible), “Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound.”
Psalm 40:3 (Wycliffe Bible), “And He sent into my mouth a new song; a song to our God. Many men shall see, and dread; and shall hope in the Lord. (And He put a new song in my mouth; a song to our God. And many shall see this, and shall have fear/and shall be in awe; and then they shall put their trust in the Lord.)”
Psalm 96:1 (KJV), “O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.”
Psalm 98:1 (KJV), “O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.”
Psalm 144:9 (KJV), “I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto Thee.”
Psalm 149:1 (The Message), “Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song, praise Him in the company of all who love Him.”
Isaiah 42:10-13 (The Message), “Sing to God a brand-new song, sing His praises all over the world! Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with all the far-flung islands joining in. Let the desert and its camps raise a tune, calling the Kedar nomads to join in. Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir and perform from the tops of the mountains. Make God’s glory resound; echo His praises from coast to coast. God steps out like He means business. You can see He’s primed for action. He shouts, announcing His arrival; He takes charge and his enemies fall into line:”
Revelation 5:9 (KJV), “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
Revelation 14:3 (Amplified Bible), “And they sang a new song before the throne [of God] and before the four living creatures and before the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin]. No one could learn [to sing] that song except the 144,000 who had been ransomed (purchased, redeemed) from the earth.”
David E. Knauss
Ph.D. in Music Education.
www.classroom-music.info
Dr. Knauss mentors student teachers and regular teachers into teaching excellence. He taught for 3 decades in inner-city public schools, winning over street kids into being like family, became one of the principle curriculum writers for an award-winning, internationally-recognized music department. He retired from public schools, completed a Ph.D. in Music Education, and presently is an adjunct music education professor at Baptist Bible College.
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