Organized by Topics
David 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 is about music directly connected to God Himself, which was explored in Part 1. This second section, Part 2, is about mankind’s various involvements with music. The following presents Music and Emotions, Music and Education, Music and Communications, Music Instruments, Music and Other Connections, and Negatives Related to Music.
Music and Emotions
Music An Expression of Joy
2 Samuel 18:6 (KJV), “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.”
(Also 2 Samuel 6:5; 1 Kings 1:40; Job 21:12; James 5:13)
Music For Pleasure
Ecclesiastes 2:8 (New Living Translation), “I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!”
Amos 6:4-6 (Now Living Translation), “4. How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds and lounge on your couches, eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock and of choice calves fattened in the stall. 5. You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David. 6. You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions. You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.”
Music and Mourning
Matthew 9:23 (NIV), “When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,”
(Also Job 30:31; Job 35:10; Jeremiah 48:36)
Music and Teaching
Ephesians 5:19 (NIV), “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,”
Colossians 3:16 (NIV), “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Music and Learning
Albert Einstein said in his biography that he solved his greatest mathematical problems while playing his violin. This is reminiscent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who has Sherlock Holmes solving his detective cases while playing his violin.
Psalm 49:4 (New Living Translation), “I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.”
Trumpet / Shofar
Announcing God’s Presence
Joel 2:1 (KJV), “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;”
(also Exodus 19:13, 16, 19; Exodus 20:18; Hebrews 12:19; Psalm 47:5)
Announcing Crowning of The King (and Earthly Kings)
Revelation 11:15 (KJV), “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.”
(also 1 Kings 1:34, 41; 2 Kings 9:13)
Announcing Sacred Celebrations
Leviticus 23:24; Leviticus 25:9; Psalm 81:3
Announcing Meetings
Numbers 10:4; Joel 2:15
Announcing Battle
Judges 3:27; Judges 6:34; Nehemiah 4:20; Job 39:25; Jeremiah 4:19, 21; Jeremiah 51:27; Ezekiel 7:14; Hosea 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:52
Announcing Jesus’ Return
1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV), “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Music to Gather the Elect
Matthew 24:31 (KJV), “And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Announcing God’s Coronation
Revelation 11:15 (Wycliffe Bible & KJV), “And the seventh angel trumpeted [And the seventh angel sang in trump], and great voices were made in heaven, and said, The realm of this world is made of our Lord, and of Christ, His Son [saying, The realm of this world is made our Lord’s, and of Christ’s, His Son]; and He shall reign for ever and ever. Amen.”
Announcing Tribal Movement
Numbers 10:5
Music to Transport the Ark
2 Samuel 6:15 (KJV), “So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.”
Announcing Insurrection
2 Samuel 15:10; 2 Samuel 20:1
Announcing End of Insurrection
2 Samuel 2:28; 2 Samuel 18:16; 2 Samuel 20:22
Announcing Danger (Physical and Spiritual)
Jeremiah 6:1; Zephaniah 1:16; Ezekiel 33:3-6
Announcing Hypocritical Tithing
Matthew 6:2
Announcing Judgment
Revelation 8:7, 8, 10, 12, 13; Revelation 9:1, 13, 14; Revelation 10:7
Announcing Transgressions and Sins to Initiate Repentance
Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 4:1-5; Jeremiah 6:17
Trumpeter / Announcer
Nehemiah 4:18 (KJV), “For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.”
Wind Instruments
Flutes
Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; Psalm 150:4; Daniel 3:5-15; Matthew 9:23; Matthew 11:17
Organs
Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; Job 30:31
Brass Instruments
Trumpets
Exodus 19:16; Exodus 20:18; Leviticus 25:9; Judges 3:27; 1 Kings 1:39; Psalm 150:3; Revelation 8:7-13
Horns
Psalm 98:4-6, NIV translates several different Hebrew words as “ram’s horn” or “horn”, including “shofar” (Psalm 81:3) which is translated elsewhere as “trumpet.” The horn was a very similar instrument to the trumpet, being made from the horn of an animal, usually a ram. Exodus 19:13; 2 Chronicles 15:14; Psalm 81:3
Stringed Instruments
Harps
Genesis 4:21; 1 Samuel 16:18; Job 30:31; Psalm 43:4; Psalm 81:2; Psalm 149:3; Psalm 150:3; Daniel 3:5-11; Revelation 5:8
Lyres
Psalm 33:2; Psalm 71:22; Psalm 81:2; Psalm 108:2; Psalm 144:9; Daniel 3:5-10
String Instruments Accompany Psalms
Psalm 4:1 Title; Psalm 6:1 Title; Psalm 54:1 Title; Psalm 55:1 Title; Psalm 61:1 Title; Psalm 67:1 Title; Psalm 76:1 Title
Percussion Instruments
Tambourines
Psalm 149:3; Isaiah 5:12; Genesis 31:27; Exodus 15:20-21; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Samuel 18:6-7; 2 Samuel 6:5
(p.p. 1 Chronicles 13:8; Job 21:12; Psalm 68:24-25; Psalm 81:1-2; Psalm 150:4; Isaiah 24:8; Isaiah 30:32; Jeremiah 31:4)
Cymbals
Psalm 150:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1
(Also 2 Samuel 6:5)
(p.p. 1Chronicles 13:8)
David’s Appointment of the Levites to Sound Cymbals in Temple Worship
1 Chronicles 15:16,19; 1 Chronicles 16:5, 42; 1 Chronicles 25:1, 6; 1 Chronicles 15:28; 2 Chronicles 5:12-13; 2 Chronicles 29:25; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 12:27
Sistrums
2 Samuel 6:3-5
(Also translated Castanets)
Babylonian Instruments
Daniel 3:4-5
(Also Daniel 3:7, 10, 15; Revelation 18:21-22)
Music and Inherent Skills
Genesis 4:21 (KJV), “And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.”
Music and a Going-Away Party
Genesis 21:37 (KJV), “Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?”
Lack of Music is Sign of Judgment
Isaiah 24:8 (New Living Translation), “The cheerful sound of tambourines is stilled; the happy cries of celebration are heard no more. The melodious chords of the harp are silent.”
Revelation 18:22 (NIV), “The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.”
Music in Pagan Worship
Daniel 3:5 (KJV), “That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:”
(Also Daniel 3:7, 10, 15)
Music Played by Prostitutes
Isaiah 23:16 (KJV), “Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.”
Music and Drunkenness
Psalm 69:12 (KJV), “They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.”
(Also Psalm 137:3; Daniel 3:4-7; Amos 5:23; Amos 6:5)
Despising Music and Dance
1 Chronicles 15:27-29 (KJV), “27. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. 28. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. 29. And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.”
2 Samuel 6:16, 23, “16. And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.” “23. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.”
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.
David 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 is about music directly connected to God Himself, which was explored in Part 1. This second section, Part 2, is about mankind’s various involvements with music. The following presents Music and Emotions, Music and Education, Music and Communications, Music Instruments, Music and Other Connections, and Negatives Related to Music.
Music and Emotions
Music An Expression of Joy
2 Samuel 18:6 (KJV), “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.”
(Also 2 Samuel 6:5; 1 Kings 1:40; Job 21:12; James 5:13)
Music For Pleasure
Ecclesiastes 2:8 (New Living Translation), “I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!”
Amos 6:4-6 (Now Living Translation), “4. How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds and lounge on your couches, eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock and of choice calves fattened in the stall. 5. You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David. 6. You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions. You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.”
Music and Mourning
Matthew 9:23 (NIV), “When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,”
(Also Job 30:31; Job 35:10; Jeremiah 48:36)
Music and Education
Music and Teaching
Ephesians 5:19 (NIV), “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,”
Colossians 3:16 (NIV), “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Music and Learning
Albert Einstein said in his biography that he solved his greatest mathematical problems while playing his violin. This is reminiscent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who has Sherlock Holmes solving his detective cases while playing his violin.
Psalm 49:4 (New Living Translation), “I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.”
Music and Communications
Trumpet / Shofar
Announcing God’s Presence
Joel 2:1 (KJV), “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;”
(also Exodus 19:13, 16, 19; Exodus 20:18; Hebrews 12:19; Psalm 47:5)
Announcing Crowning of The King (and Earthly Kings)
Revelation 11:15 (KJV), “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.”
(also 1 Kings 1:34, 41; 2 Kings 9:13)
Announcing Sacred Celebrations
Leviticus 23:24; Leviticus 25:9; Psalm 81:3
Announcing Meetings
Numbers 10:4; Joel 2:15
Announcing Battle
Judges 3:27; Judges 6:34; Nehemiah 4:20; Job 39:25; Jeremiah 4:19, 21; Jeremiah 51:27; Ezekiel 7:14; Hosea 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:52
Announcing Jesus’ Return
1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV), “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Music to Gather the Elect
Matthew 24:31 (KJV), “And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Announcing God’s Coronation
Revelation 11:15 (Wycliffe Bible & KJV), “And the seventh angel trumpeted [And the seventh angel sang in trump], and great voices were made in heaven, and said, The realm of this world is made of our Lord, and of Christ, His Son [saying, The realm of this world is made our Lord’s, and of Christ’s, His Son]; and He shall reign for ever and ever. Amen.”
Announcing Tribal Movement
Numbers 10:5
Music to Transport the Ark
2 Samuel 6:15 (KJV), “So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.”
Announcing Insurrection
2 Samuel 15:10; 2 Samuel 20:1
Announcing End of Insurrection
2 Samuel 2:28; 2 Samuel 18:16; 2 Samuel 20:22
Announcing Danger (Physical and Spiritual)
Jeremiah 6:1; Zephaniah 1:16; Ezekiel 33:3-6
Announcing Hypocritical Tithing
Matthew 6:2
Announcing Judgment
Revelation 8:7, 8, 10, 12, 13; Revelation 9:1, 13, 14; Revelation 10:7
Announcing Transgressions and Sins to Initiate Repentance
Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 4:1-5; Jeremiah 6:17
Trumpeter / Announcer
Nehemiah 4:18 (KJV), “For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.”
Music Instruments
Wind Instruments
Flutes
Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; Psalm 150:4; Daniel 3:5-15; Matthew 9:23; Matthew 11:17
Organs
Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; Job 30:31
Brass Instruments
Trumpets
Exodus 19:16; Exodus 20:18; Leviticus 25:9; Judges 3:27; 1 Kings 1:39; Psalm 150:3; Revelation 8:7-13
Horns
Psalm 98:4-6, NIV translates several different Hebrew words as “ram’s horn” or “horn”, including “shofar” (Psalm 81:3) which is translated elsewhere as “trumpet.” The horn was a very similar instrument to the trumpet, being made from the horn of an animal, usually a ram. Exodus 19:13; 2 Chronicles 15:14; Psalm 81:3
Stringed Instruments
Harps
Genesis 4:21; 1 Samuel 16:18; Job 30:31; Psalm 43:4; Psalm 81:2; Psalm 149:3; Psalm 150:3; Daniel 3:5-11; Revelation 5:8
Lyres
Psalm 33:2; Psalm 71:22; Psalm 81:2; Psalm 108:2; Psalm 144:9; Daniel 3:5-10
String Instruments Accompany Psalms
Psalm 4:1 Title; Psalm 6:1 Title; Psalm 54:1 Title; Psalm 55:1 Title; Psalm 61:1 Title; Psalm 67:1 Title; Psalm 76:1 Title
Percussion Instruments
Tambourines
Psalm 149:3; Isaiah 5:12; Genesis 31:27; Exodus 15:20-21; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Samuel 18:6-7; 2 Samuel 6:5
(p.p. 1 Chronicles 13:8; Job 21:12; Psalm 68:24-25; Psalm 81:1-2; Psalm 150:4; Isaiah 24:8; Isaiah 30:32; Jeremiah 31:4)
Cymbals
Psalm 150:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1
(Also 2 Samuel 6:5)
(p.p. 1Chronicles 13:8)
David’s Appointment of the Levites to Sound Cymbals in Temple Worship
1 Chronicles 15:16,19; 1 Chronicles 16:5, 42; 1 Chronicles 25:1, 6; 1 Chronicles 15:28; 2 Chronicles 5:12-13; 2 Chronicles 29:25; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 12:27
Sistrums
2 Samuel 6:3-5
(Also translated Castanets)
Babylonian Instruments
Daniel 3:4-5
(Also Daniel 3:7, 10, 15; Revelation 18:21-22)
Music and Other Connections
Music and Inherent Skills
Genesis 4:21 (KJV), “And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.”
Music and a Going-Away Party
Genesis 21:37 (KJV), “Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?”
Negatives Related to Music
Lack of Music is Sign of Judgment
Isaiah 24:8 (New Living Translation), “The cheerful sound of tambourines is stilled; the happy cries of celebration are heard no more. The melodious chords of the harp are silent.”
Revelation 18:22 (NIV), “The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.”
Music in Pagan Worship
Daniel 3:5 (KJV), “That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:”
(Also Daniel 3:7, 10, 15)
Music Played by Prostitutes
Isaiah 23:16 (KJV), “Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.”
Music and Drunkenness
Psalm 69:12 (KJV), “They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.”
(Also Psalm 137:3; Daniel 3:4-7; Amos 5:23; Amos 6:5)
Despising Music and Dance
1 Chronicles 15:27-29 (KJV), “27. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. 28. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. 29. And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.”
2 Samuel 6:16, 23, “16. And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.” “23. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.”
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.
