Day 279 of 365
SING AND MAKE MUSIC
The first biblical reference to music appears in Genesis 4 where Jubal, a descendant of Cain, is identified as "the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes" (v. 21). By the time music is specifically mentioned again in the story of Jacob and Laban, it had become an integral part of societal and family activity (Ge 31:27). Scripture indicates that Moses, Miriam, and Joshua employed songs and instruments to commemorate great victories and interventions by God (Ex 15:1; Nu 21:17; Jos 6:4). Women were active in celebratory praise, often leading in dancing, singing and the playing of melodies to mark important occasions (Ex 15:20 - 21; Jdg 5:1 - 3; 11:34; 1Sa 18:6). Music was woven so tightly into the fabric of Hebrew culture that even when the text does not mention it explicitly, readers can rightly assume that it accompanied virtually every significant occasion in public and private activity. However, it was not until the time of King David that instrumental music became a decreed part of worship in the tabernacle and temple (1Ch 15:22; 16:4; 25:1 - 3). And as an accomplished musician himself (1Sa 16:15 - 23), David actively encouraged, endorsed and participated in public worship celebrations (1Ch 15:15 - 29; 16:1 - 6). Indeed, he wrote many of the psalms in the book of Psalms. Following this rich heritage guides modern believers to embrace music as an indispensable means of honoring the Lord, celebrating his attributes and exalting him as the only trustworthy King (Ps 33:4 - 5,8).
Jesus, lead me to songs that will help me know you better. Help me worship and praise you better, and inspire me to serve you better. Amen.
Psalms 33:1-9 NASB
1 Sing for joy in the L ord , O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. 2 Give thanks to the L ord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. 4 For the word of the L ord is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the L ord . 6 By the word of the L ord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses. 8Let all the earth fear the L ord ; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9 For He spoke, and it was done;
1 Samuel 16:15-23 NASB
15 Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. 16 Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well." 17 So Saul said to his servants, "Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me." 18 Then one of the young men said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the L ord is with him." 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David who is with the flock." 20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son. 21 Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. 22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight." 23 So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.
1 Chronicles 16:1-6 NASB
1 And they brought in the ark of God and placed it inside the tent which David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the L ord . 3 He distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread and a portion of meat and a raisin cake.
4 He appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the L ord , even to celebrate and to thank and praise the L ord God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom and Jeiel, with musical instruments, harps, lyres; also Asaph played loud-sounding cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests blew trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
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