Page 407 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

MUSIC

Vocal music is the melody of a single voice, or the we should be ‘making melody.’ The words translated
harmony of two or more voices in concert. Instrumental ‘singing and making melody’ in Ephesians 5:19 come
music is that produce d by one or more from two Greek words: adontes, meaning ‘singing’ and
instruments” (Webster). psallontes, meaning ‘psalming,’ or ‘putting music to
THE ORIGIN OF MUSIC poetry’ (setting poetry to music), which is what the
word melody means. Melody comes from two Greek
Satan is mentioned in connection with musical words, meloidia meaning ‘choral song,’ derived from
instruments before his fall (Eze. 28:12-14). The mention melos, tune, plus aoidein, ‘to sing.’... This instrumental
of “thy tabrets and of thy pipes” in v. 13 is a possible term refers to the music and only by implication to the
reference to the fact that Satan, as the “anointed words. Thus, when the King James Version of Scripture
cherub” (v. 14), had the ability to produce music for the follows the command to be filled with the Spirit with
glory of God prior to his fall. the musical form melody, it is accurately teaching that
this element of music and God’s control in our lives are
The angels sang together at the creation (Job 38:7). closely related.
Cain’s offspring made musical instruments The first The part of music to which your mind responds is the
mention of music among men is in Ge. 4:21. Cain’s harmony. Harmony is the intellectual part of music.
great-grandson Jubal “was the father of all such as Extensive training and a disciplined lifelong study are
handle the harp and organ.” Thus men have made required to write and understand music with correct
music from the earliest days after creation. God put harmony. ... A correct, good-sounding, mood-producing
music in the heart of man, but sin has often corrupted harmony can be arranged and effectively written only
it. by a trained musician. The word harmony, ultimately
from the Greek word for ‘joint,’ suggests the idea of
David made many musical instruments and fitting together. The harmony joins the melody and the
established the music program in Israel (1 Ch. 23:5; 2 rhythm together.
Ch. 7:6; 29:26; Am. 6:5). The part of music to which your body responds is the
THE NATURE OF MUSIC rhythm. The Greek word from which the word rhythm
The following is from Music in the Balance by Frank comes is rheo, which means ‘to flow,’ or ‘to pulse.’
Garlock and Kurt Woetzel, Copyright 1992, Majesty Although this word is not used in relation to music in
Music, pp. 55-59: the Bible, its meaning and use do give some insight
concerning rhythm in music. For instance, Jesus used
Music is considered to have three primary parts: this word in John 7:38 when He said, ‘He that
melody, harmony, and rhythm. ... The most prominent believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his
part of the music should be the melody. It is the belly shall flow rivers of living water.’ The rhythm is
horizontal arrangement of sounds which is recognized the pulse of the music, and the analogy between the
first when we sing a song like ‘When I Survey the pulse and rhythm will help any desirous Christian to
Wondrous Cross.’ Some of us may have sung what is gain discernment in his choice of music.
sometimes called harmony, such as the alto part. The Too much (or erratic pulse) Body is sick
alto part is normally sung by the lower female voices, Too much (or erratic rhythm) Music is sick
but actually the altos, as well as the tenors and basses, No pulse Body is dead
are each singing a melody that harmonizes with the No rhythm Music is dead
other three parts. Pulse under control Body is well
The harmony is the vertical aspect of the music, or the Rhythm under control Music is ‘well’
chords of the music. It is the sounds which are heard Rhythm is the physical part of music. The Christian
when the individual parts coincide. In what is called with a Scriptural order and balance in his life
homophonic music, the voices sound simultaneously emphasizes the spiritual first (Mt. 6:33), the
most of the time. By contrast, in polyphonic music in intellectual or emotional second (2 Co. 10:5), and the
which the individual voices are more independent, the physical last (Ro. 13:14). Consider also Pr. 3:5-6 and
harmony is less pronounced because of the dominance Lk. 12:31.
of the melodic lines and their linear movement. The
rhythm makes the music move. If it were not for the Just as the spiritual considerations of life receive
rhythm, the music could not progress—it would stand priority by the balanced Christian, so the melody (that
still as one continuous, quickly boring, and part of music to which the spirit responds) must
uninteresting sound. dominate the music in the Christian’s life. Similarly, the
harmony (that part of music to which the mind and
The part of music to which the spirit responds is the emotions respond) needs to have a supportive role in
melody. Ephesians 5:18-19 gives us a clear indication music, just as the mind and the emotions play a
the part of music which God wants to be preeminent in secondary role in the Christian experience. Last, and
the music of a Christian. Verse 18 commands us to be most obvious, the rhythm (that part of music to which
‘filled with the spirit.’ The word ‘filled’ literally means the body responds) must be under strict control in
‘to be controlled.’ The very next verse then states that music, just as the body and its desires need to be

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 407