God’s gift of music expresses life.
Biblical Basis: 1 Chronicles 15,16
Psalm 47:7 “For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise”
Psalm 119:54 “Your decrees are the theme of my song”
Isaiah 55:12 “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Biblically Integrative Music:
1 Chronicles 15, 16 was written during the Babylonian captivity: people had lost their sense of identity, history, and destiny. The prophet concentrated on the exploits of David. The king decided that the best way to keep Israel’s history alive was through song. Three major statements about music are established:
(1) The Song was Responsive (1 Chronicles 15:16, 25, 28). Music is human response to God’s world, His words, and His works. Old Testament stories are punctuated with song and dance (i.e., Exodus 15). The greatest Israelite kings were musicians (David and Solomon). The Psalms were Israel’s hymnal.
(2) The Song was Rehearsed (1 Chronicles 15:19-22). Order, arrangement, preparation, skill, creativity, professionalism are important. 1 Chronicles 15:16-16:6 records a full choir, orchestra, and a dance troupe punctuated with “shouts” and percussion (vv. 25, 28).
(3) The Song was a Regular, Repeated Remembrance (1 Chronicles 16:6, 37). Music is “sacred” (16:42). The event of celebration was over but the story lives in the song. One cannot remove music from “story” without losing meaning.
Related Concepts:
- All people groups sing (Isaiah 14:7).
- Deserts sing (Isaiah 35:1-2), as do the heavens and mountains (44:23; 49:13).
- At Creation, the angels sang (Job 38:6, 7).
- In Heaven, music rings (Isaiah 51:11), angels sing (Isaiah 6:1-3), God Himself makes music (Zechariah 3:17; Revelation 5:13), and eternity will resound in song (Revelation 21, 22).
- At Jesus’ Incarnation, people and angels sang (Luke 1, 2). Entering Jerusalem, people sang “hosannas” and Jesus quoted psalms (hymns) at His own death (Matthew 27).
- Worship is our constant activity encompassing all aspects of a person and their life in devotion to The Lord Jesus. We honor God through our giftedness, committing our living service to Him (Ex 26:1; 31:1-11; 35:30-36:1; 1 Chron 6:31-46; 16:1-42)
- Styles of Music—whether lullabies or war songs, Canon in D or funeral dirges, celebrations or laments—are claimed by God’s (2 Chron 20:21; Ps 45; 137:4-6).
- Hymnology—variations of truth recorded musically—are to honor Jesus (Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:16).
- Healing (1 Samuel 16:23), hope (Isaiah 35:5-8), and celebration (2 Samuel 6:14-15) are all themes contained in biblical song. Music is a God-given expression for community and remembrance. Court songs, battle songs, harvest songs, work songs, songs of loss and victory—all of life was worship to God’s people.
Attitudinal Objectives:
- Express joy through music in response to the Creator.
- Respond to life circumstances—whether humanly positive or negative—with musical themes developed by biblical prophets and apostles.
- Agree that rehearsal and repetition in skill development is both an acknowledgement of our dependence upon The Triune God and our fallen, finite state which necessitates continual renewal.
Life Application Activities
- Discuss why music is the only art that is lost immediately after it’s sung? Why must music be re-played by individuals to be remembered? Why does modern recording equipment not solve the problem? Why do people go to concerts? Why do bands tour? Why are old songs remade? Why are national anthems played before athletic contests? Have people forgotten?
- Discuss the implications for Christian curriculum on the following levels: (a) inspiration vs. mediocrity; (b) excellence vs. second-rate performance; (c) technique; (d) style communicates idea; (e) creativity; (f) repertoire; (g) intention; (h) composition; (I) performance.
- Study Aquinas’ perfect standard for beauty that consisted of (a) integrity, (b) proportion, and (c) brilliance.
- How can the following affect the quality of music: (a) mediocrity; (b) imagination; (c) manipulation; (d) entertainment; (e) political statement?
- How can human sin affect the subjectivity of (a) Definitions—“excellence”, “appreciation”, or “refinement” could become matters for personal preference; (b) Evaluation—reviewing or judging a musician’s work is left to individuals or communities themselves marred by inadequacy and inconsistency; (c) “It’s a matter of taste”—personal significance vs. general agreement of meaning in music may result from relativism; (d) “Some things are more important than others”—since all things belong to God, everything is important (some consider evangelism, theology, or missions as separate, distinct); (e) “That’s ‘secular’ music”—is a dualistic statement, namely that there is a realm over which God cannot say ‘I am Lord’. All musicians use the same material, notes, and chords.
- What is the worldview and historical impact on music in culture?
- How are musical performers affected by (a) character (e.g., arrogance); (b) audience (e.g., idolization); (c) business (e.g., the distraction of making money)?
- Implications for the Christian Curriculum. (a) educator modeling—choice of selections, interpretation, character, etc.; (b) biographical notes of famous composers/musicians.
- Belief Comparison. (a) Utilitarianism—worth in usefulness (gospel tunes as well) (b) Consumerism—dependent upon sales; (c) Aestheticism—beauty equals truth; (d) Purism—art is for art’s sake; (e) Relativism—form and style do not matter.
- Listen to the messages of familiar songs or have students bring in their favorite tunes to discuss from a Christian point of view.
Additional Resources
DeMol, Karen A. Sound Stewardship: How Shall Christians Think About Music? Dordt Press, 1999.
Smith, Jane Stuart and Carlson, Betty. A Gift of Music: Great Composers and Their Influence. Crossway, 1978.
Kavanaugh, Patrick. The Spiritual Lives of Great Composers. Sparrow, 1992.