I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music. —J. S. Bach
As we turn to 1 Chronicles 25, we can’t help but ask, What is music? What is its purpose? The dictionary speaks of music as “the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, and rhythm.” The word music is derived from the Greek muses, the inspirational goddesses of mythology, but no goddess contrived music. Music comes from the Father’s house (Lk 15:25) because it comes from the Father’s heart. As the father said in the story, “It was right that we should make merry and be glad” (v 32), and it’s right that we should too. “He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God” (Ps 40:3). Although we may speak of the sounds of the birds as music or link it to creation when “the morning stars sang together” ( Job 38:7), in the Bible music is more than an arrangement of sounds. Using voices and instruments, it doesn’t only reach the ear and brain; it expresses the heartbeat of faith from the soul. It may be married to words, but it can communicate at a level deeper than words. Notice this striking statement: “David…separated for the service some…who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals” (1 Chron 25:1). Prophesying with musical instruments? Clearly the message was the vital element in this music. And verse 3 explains that these musicians “prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the Lord.” Music, inspired by Heaven, could translate messages they heard from God’s Word, flavored by their own experiences, into messages returning to God, expressing their need of Him, their admiration of, and devotion to, Him. “Praise the Lord! [Heb, Hallelujah!] For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful” (Ps 147:1).