Musical instruments when used with care, can enhance the singing of praise to the Lord. That was seen by the Christian church that split from the church of Christ. Musical instruments were obviously considered a help to praise in the Old Testament. It seems strange to say that something God thought was a blessing in the Old Testament and is now an evil in the New Testament church.
Since instrumental music has the Old Testament precedent of being approved of God ("musical instruments of God" 1 Chronicles 16:42), and there is no evidence that there was a time when this approval ceased, we have biblical authority for its validity.
We are authorized to use
“psalms” in the NT (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Ephesians 5:19 says "..speaking to one another with
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.." and correspondingly Colossians 3:16 says to, "..admonish one another with
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs." The word "psalm" in the Greek dictionary, definition (#5568): "A set piece of music, i.e. a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice,
harp, or other instrument)." The root word of psalm means
"to twitch, twang or pluck," such as pluck a string of a musical instrument."
Strong's Concordance
psalmos: a striking (of musical strings), a psalm
Original Word: ψαλμός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: psalmos
Phonetic Spelling: (psal-mos')
Short Definition: a psalm
Definition: a psalm, song of praise, the Hebrew book of Psalms.
HELPS Word-studies
5568 psalmós – a psalm ("Scripture set to music"). Originally, a psalm (5568 /psalmós) was
sung and accompanied by a plucked musical instrument (typically a harp), especially the OT Psalms.
[The Psalms of the OT were often sung and were accompanied by sophisticated musical arrangements].
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from psalló
Definition
a striking (of musical strings), a psalm
NASB Translation
Psalm (1), psalm (1), Psalms (3), psalms (2).
The words "making
melody" are used in Ephesians 5:19, but "how" this is done is found in Isaiah 23:16, and it is with a
musical instrument:" Take an
harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet
melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered."
Also, Amos 5:23 speaks of
"the melody of thy viols," which is also reference to a
musical instrument. So if "the Bible interprets itself," these passages show "how" to
make melody – with musical instruments.
*If the church of Christ (or any other church) wants to leave out musical instruments in their worship, that is their prerogative. But I don't believe that it's right for them to judge and condemn everyone else who chooses to use musical instruments like David did and as the apostle Paul instructed. That is when it becomes legalism![/QUOT
There are lots of things in the Old Testament law that was approved by God then that are not approved under the new law of Christ. An “eye for an eye” vengeance was approved under the Old Testament law but not under the new law of Christ. Matt. 5. Circumcision was an approved law for them, but not for us under the new law of Christ. God approved animal sacrifices for them, but not for us under the new law of Christ. In fact, the whole chapter of Matthew 5 is about God changing laws that Were approved in the Old Testament but not in the new law of Christ. the laws on Divorce is another example of something that he changed. I fail to understand how you find this “strange
There is nothing “strange” about that.
The Holy Spirit says to make melody IN YOUR HEART—not musical instruments. And whatever making melody means, it is to be done in the HEART.
On the contrary, there is much evidence that proves the old law that used musical instruments ceased. Just read the books of Hebrews and Galations. Hebrews 7 even states that the law was changed. I have posted many comments on CC about “rightly dividing the law of Christ” 2 Tim. 2:15, and the difference between the old law of the Jews and the New law of Christ for Christians. I refer you to those discussions if you want to debate this. You may cite all of the Old Testament laws and scriptures you like—but you are using OBSOLETE material as your authority as Hebrews 8:13 says. That law and those practices have “VANISHED AWAY.” it will do you no good. If that’s your authority, then you are WITHOUT authority for your practice.