Ggods of Music-6 quotes

"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries

THE GgODS OF MUSIC, part 6 (final) quotes

1) Outside of the precincts of the sanctuary and temple the Israelites used all of the musical instruments available to accompany their public singing of praises to the Lord God Michael – which included drums (see 1 Samuel 10:5-6; 1 Chronicles 13:3-10; Psalms 81:2, 149:3, 150:4). Yet the drums were small hand-held instruments played with the hand like timbrels, tabrets and tambourines, and were not the bigger louder sounding drums beaten with drum sticks heard in the worship services of the pagans.

2) The Israelites sang songs and musical tunes of praises to God during times when sacred processions (1 Chronicles 13:3-10, 15:16-28), where “the singers went before, the players on instruments followed after”, and “among them were the damsels playing with timbrels” (Psalms 68:25). These were also performed either before warfare (2 Chronicles 20:21-22), after victory in warfare (Judges 5:1-31; 1 Samuel 18:6-7; Psalms 18:48-49, 27:6), and especially after the Lord God Michael had miraculously defended His people (Exodus 15:1-19), or delivered them from harm (Jeremiah 20:13), or from captivity (Psalms 126:1-3; Isaiah 51:11, 52:5-9). They also could be performed at the dedication of important things, such as the stone temple being completed (2 Chronicles 5:1-14), or the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt (Nehemiah 12:27-43).

These public songs and musical tunes of praise to the Lord God could also spontaneously occur at any time in which the Israelites were overjoyed at what He had mercifully done for them (Psalms 13:6, 30:3-4, 89:1, 101:1, 147:6-9; Isaiah 51:3, 52:9). This would included such things as for healing (Psalms 30:2-4; 147:1-3; Isaiah 35:6, 38:16-21); forgiveness (Psalms 51:14-15); redemption (Psalms 71:22-23); salvation (1 Chronicles 16:23; Psalms 96:2; Isaiah 12:2-3); and protection (Psalms 59:16-17; Jeremiah 20:13). Other things included providing for their needs: such as for water (Numbers 21:16-18); rain and growing vegetation (Psalms 147:7-8); food (Psalms 147:7, 14; Jeremiah 31:12), or even being raised back to life (Isaiah 26:19), or for no other reason than just because they were happy (Proverbs 29:6; Isaiah 65:14; Ephesians 5:19; James 5:13).

3) Public songs and musical tunes of praises could be sung and played by men (1 Chronicles 15:15-28), women (Exodus 15:21; 1 Samuel 18:6-7), or a combination of the two (1 Chronicles 13:8). It also did not matter whether it was just one individual alone playing and/or singing these praises to God (Isaiah 5:1-30), or many playing and singing together as a group, and others could join in with them.

4) These sacred songs were also to be sung among the heathen (Psalms 18:49, 57:9, 96:1-3, 10, 105:1-2, 108:3-4, 145:7-12; Isaiah 12:4-6, 24:14, 42:10-12, 48:20-22), and even before their gods (Psalms 138:1)! This was a very effective way of witnessing and reaching the hearts of all the listening pagans with the truth about the Lord God Michael and would work like leaven to help bring about their conversion from darkness into the light of truth (Psalms 96:1-13, 47:6-8, 57:8-11, 66:1-10, 138:1-8, 145:6-21). God’s followers “shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea” (Isaiah 24:14), and “From the uttermost part of the earth have we [heathen peoples] heard songs, even glory to the righteous” Lord God” (Isaiah 24:16). But many times these songs and musical performances were conducted in private to the Lord (2 Samuel 22:1-51; Psalms 149:5).

5) Many Israelites danced along with the sacred song and music being played in praise to God (Psalms 149:3). These included king David himself when he was bringing the Ark of the Covenant within the city of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:13-17; 1 Chronicles 15:29). Others danced because they were joyous (Psalms 30:11; Ecclesiastes 3:4; Jeremiah 31:4, 13). This included when “Mariam the prophetess...took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances” (Exodus 15:21) in joyous celebration for their deliverance from the pursuing Egyptian army. Or after king Saul and David returned victorious from warfare, “the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music” (1 Samuel 18:6-7). Other instances included when Jephthah had safely returned from subduing the enemies of Israel “his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances” (Judges 11:34). Or when the “daughters of Shiloh [would] come out to dance in dances” in celebration of a good harvest (Judges 21:21).

These various dances which the Israelites performed were not like the acrobatic gyrations and lude, sensual bodily movements seen in pagan dances. But were simple dances, and some were considered to be part of the praising of God through music (Psalms 150:4; 149:3)!

These simple dances connected with sacred music of praise to God were not displeasing to Him. This is because God delights to make and to see His people happy (Psalms 105:43, 113:4-9; 2 Chronicles 20:27; 1 Kings 8:66; Ezra 6:22; Isaiah 61:1-3, 51:11-12), which then promotes strength (Nehemiah 8:10), eleviates sickness (Proverbs 17:22), produces peace and rest and contentment (Habakkuk 3:17-18), as well as love and willing service to the Lord God who freely gives such blessings (Psalms 89:15-18, 27:6, 95:1-7, 100:1-5; Jeremiah 33:11).

6) There are 7 different Scriptural guides in determining proper Christian music to God in this New Covenant.

~ Music that would please God ~

1 – Would be completely different from the music of the world (see Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15).

2 – Would be well structured, harmonious, melodious and precise (1 Corinthians 14:40; Colossians 3:16), not one of disorder, imbalance or of few notes.

3 – Would promote a peaceful atmosphere (Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7; John 14:27), not one of clamor, rebellion and aggression.

4 – Would have an uplifting influence encouraging desires to follow and please God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Titus 2:11-12), not one which encourages sexual or lustful desires, or to please self.

5 – Would have a spiritual effect to bring one closer to God (1 Peter 1:16; Colossians 3:16), not one that puts God and His truth in the background.

6 – Would encourage God and His heavenly angels to dwell with us (1 Samuel 16:14-23), and cause Satan and his evil angels to flee away.

7 – Would be of such a character that would bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31), not one which would bring glory to Satan.

7) There are 7 different Scriptural guides to determine proper Christian song lyrics in this New Covenant period.

~ Song lyrics that would please God ~

1 – Would be of a spiritual nature (Ephesians 5:18), not worldly.

2 – Would be scripturally sound with a clear spiritual message promoting truth easy to be understood (Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15), not a message promoting error or falsehood or one which is unclear or unknown.

3 – Would promote a pure and positive frame of mind (Philippians 4:8), not a moody, depressed, impure or unholy frame of mind.

4 – Would be of such a character that could be sung with the grace of God in our hearts (Colossians 3:16), not one is which could be sung with carnal feelings, malice, hatred, or evil in our hearts.

5 – Would encourage us to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4), not to rejoice in self or in sin.

6 – Would encourage self-denial in supporting and edifying one another (Romans 15:1-3; 14:13), not encouraging one to please self or cause another to fall away from God.

7 – Would lead to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), not to glorify Satan.

8) “Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16.

“...be filled with the Spirit; speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:18.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31.

It was by following these Scriptural guides of music that Christian hymns were produced which combined scriptural truth with a sweet melody that worked to uplift the mind and heart towards God. One of the most famous was Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

Also the lyrics that George Frederick Handel used for the “Messiah” were all taken directly from Scripture! Handel’s “Messiah” pointed all, both Christian and non-Christian, to behold the true Messiah – Jesus Christ, the One who is worthy of our praise and worship.

“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. If heed is not paid to this, it is not true music but a diabolical bawling and twanging.” Johann Sebastian Bach.

9) When we praise God, He comes down and dwells with us!

“...thou (God) art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalms 22:3.

The Hebrew word for “inhabitest” means to “sit down...to dwell...to remain” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, #3427), and the word “praises” means “hymns” (Strong’s, #8416), and the people of God are to “sing praises (hymns) to the Lord”. This means that the great God of heaven comes down and dwells with us when we worship and praise Him by lifting up our voices in song, or by playing or listening to proper music that praises Him as well! When this proper uplifting music is in our midst, the heavenly angels will drive away the Devil and his evil angels from our midst (1 Samuel 16:23).

10) “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?...Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing...” 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, 17.

Which Gods/gods will you serve? It will be shown by what type of music you are involved with!

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3.

“...Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:2, 4.

“Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; he will render upon her a recompense....My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord.” Jeremiah 50:6, 45.

If you choose to follow God and flee from Babylon, refusing to even touch anything connected with her, including giving up listening to or playing any paganized styles of music, then God promises:

“...I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes THE GgODS OF MUSIC, part 6 (final) quotes 1) Outside of the precincts of the sanctuary and temple the Israelites used all of the musical instruments available to accompany their public singing of praises to the Lord God Michael – which included drums (see 1 Samuel 10:5-6; 1 Chronicles 13:3-10; Psalms 81:2, 149:3, 150:4). Yet the drums were small hand-held instruments played with the hand like timbrels, tabrets and tambourines, and were not the bigger louder sounding drums beaten with drum sticks heard in the worship services of the pagans. 2) The Israelites sang songs and musical tunes of praises to God during times when sacred processions (1 Chronicles 13:3-10, 15:16-28), where “the singers went before, the players on instruments followed after”, and “among them were the damsels playing with timbrels” (Psalms 68:25). These were also performed either before warfare (2 Chronicles 20:21-22), after victory in warfare (Judges 5:1-31; 1 Samuel 18:6-7; Psalms 18:48-49, 27:6), and especially after the Lord God Michael had miraculously defended His people (Exodus 15:1-19), or delivered them from harm (Jeremiah 20:13), or from captivity (Psalms 126:1-3; Isaiah 51:11, 52:5-9). They also could be performed at the dedication of important things, such as the stone temple being completed (2 Chronicles 5:1-14), or the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt (Nehemiah 12:27-43). These public songs and musical tunes of praise to the Lord God could also spontaneously occur at any time in which the Israelites were overjoyed at what He had mercifully done for them (Psalms 13:6, 30:3-4, 89:1, 101:1, 147:6-9; Isaiah 51:3, 52:9). This would included such things as for healing (Psalms 30:2-4; 147:1-3; Isaiah 35:6, 38:16-21); forgiveness (Psalms 51:14-15); redemption (Psalms 71:22-23); salvation (1 Chronicles 16:23; Psalms 96:2; Isaiah 12:2-3); and protection (Psalms 59:16-17; Jeremiah 20:13). Other things included providing for their needs: such as for water (Numbers 21:16-18); rain and growing vegetation (Psalms 147:7-8); food (Psalms 147:7, 14; Jeremiah 31:12), or even being raised back to life (Isaiah 26:19), or for no other reason than just because they were happy (Proverbs 29:6; Isaiah 65:14; Ephesians 5:19; James 5:13). 3) Public songs and musical tunes of praises could be sung and played by men (1 Chronicles 15:15-28), women (Exodus 15:21; 1 Samuel 18:6-7), or a combination of the two (1 Chronicles 13:8). It also did not matter whether it was just one individual alone playing and/or singing these praises to God (Isaiah 5:1-30), or many playing and singing together as a group, and others could join in with them. 4) These sacred songs were also to be sung among the heathen (Psalms 18:49, 57:9, 96:1-3, 10, 105:1-2, 108:3-4, 145:7-12; Isaiah 12:4-6, 24:14, 42:10-12, 48:20-22), and even before their gods (Psalms 138:1)! This was a very effective way of witnessing and reaching the hearts of all the listening pagans with the truth about the Lord God Michael and would work like leaven to help bring about their conversion from darkness into the light of truth (Psalms 96:1-13, 47:6-8, 57:8-11, 66:1-10, 138:1-8, 145:6-21). God’s followers “shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea” (Isaiah 24:14), and “From the uttermost part of the earth have we [heathen peoples] heard songs, even glory to the righteous” Lord God” (Isaiah 24:16). But many times these songs and musical performances were conducted in private to the Lord (2 Samuel 22:1-51; Psalms 149:5). 5) Many Israelites danced along with the sacred song and music being played in praise to God (Psalms 149:3). These included king David himself when he was bringing the Ark of the Covenant within the city of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:13-17; 1 Chronicles 15:29). Others danced because they were joyous (Psalms 30:11; Ecclesiastes 3:4; Jeremiah 31:4, 13). This included when “Mariam the prophetess...took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances” (Exodus 15:21) in joyous celebration for their deliverance from the pursuing Egyptian army. Or after king Saul and David returned victorious from warfare, “the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music” (1 Samuel 18:6-7). Other instances included when Jephthah had safely returned from subduing the enemies of Israel “his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances” (Judges 11:34). Or when the “daughters of Shiloh [would] come out to dance in dances” in celebration of a good harvest (Judges 21:21). These various dances which the Israelites performed were not like the acrobatic gyrations and lude, sensual bodily movements seen in pagan dances. But were simple dances, and some were considered to be part of the praising of God through music (Psalms 150:4; 149:3)! These simple dances connected with sacred music of praise to God were not displeasing to Him. This is because God delights to make and to see His people happy (Psalms 105:43, 113:4-9; 2 Chronicles 20:27; 1 Kings 8:66; Ezra 6:22; Isaiah 61:1-3, 51:11-12), which then promotes strength (Nehemiah 8:10), eleviates sickness (Proverbs 17:22), produces peace and rest and contentment (Habakkuk 3:17-18), as well as love and willing service to the Lord God who freely gives such blessings (Psalms 89:15-18, 27:6, 95:1-7, 100:1-5; Jeremiah 33:11). 6) There are 7 different Scriptural guides in determining proper Christian music to God in this New Covenant. ~ Music that would please God ~ 1 – Would be completely different from the music of the world (see Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15). 2 – Would be well structured, harmonious, melodious and precise (1 Corinthians 14:40; Colossians 3:16), not one of disorder, imbalance or of few notes. 3 – Would promote a peaceful atmosphere (Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7; John 14:27), not one of clamor, rebellion and aggression. 4 – Would have an uplifting influence encouraging desires to follow and please God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Titus 2:11-12), not one which encourages sexual or lustful desires, or to please self. 5 – Would have a spiritual effect to bring one closer to God (1 Peter 1:16; Colossians 3:16), not one that puts God and His truth in the background. 6 – Would encourage God and His heavenly angels to dwell with us (1 Samuel 16:14-23), and cause Satan and his evil angels to flee away. 7 – Would be of such a character that would bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31), not one which would bring glory to Satan. 7) There are 7 different Scriptural guides to determine proper Christian song lyrics in this New Covenant period. ~ Song lyrics that would please God ~ 1 – Would be of a spiritual nature (Ephesians 5:18), not worldly. 2 – Would be scripturally sound with a clear spiritual message promoting truth easy to be understood (Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15), not a message promoting error or falsehood or one which is unclear or unknown. 3 – Would promote a pure and positive frame of mind (Philippians 4:8), not a moody, depressed, impure or unholy frame of mind. 4 – Would be of such a character that could be sung with the grace of God in our hearts (Colossians 3:16), not one is which could be sung with carnal feelings, malice, hatred, or evil in our hearts. 5 – Would encourage us to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4), not to rejoice in self or in sin. 6 – Would encourage self-denial in supporting and edifying one another (Romans 15:1-3; 14:13), not encouraging one to please self or cause another to fall away from God. 7 – Would lead to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), not to glorify Satan. 8) “Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16. “...be filled with the Spirit; speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:18. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. It was by following these Scriptural guides of music that Christian hymns were produced which combined scriptural truth with a sweet melody that worked to uplift the mind and heart towards God. One of the most famous was Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Also the lyrics that George Frederick Handel used for the “Messiah” were all taken directly from Scripture! Handel’s “Messiah” pointed all, both Christian and non-Christian, to behold the true Messiah – Jesus Christ, the One who is worthy of our praise and worship. “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. If heed is not paid to this, it is not true music but a diabolical bawling and twanging.” Johann Sebastian Bach. 9) When we praise God, He comes down and dwells with us! “...thou (God) art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalms 22:3. The Hebrew word for “inhabitest” means to “sit down...to dwell...to remain” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, #3427), and the word “praises” means “hymns” (Strong’s, #8416), and the people of God are to “sing praises (hymns) to the Lord”. This means that the great God of heaven comes down and dwells with us when we worship and praise Him by lifting up our voices in song, or by playing or listening to proper music that praises Him as well! When this proper uplifting music is in our midst, the heavenly angels will drive away the Devil and his evil angels from our midst (1 Samuel 16:23). 10) “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?...Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing...” 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, 17. Which Gods/gods will you serve? It will be shown by what type of music you are involved with! “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. “...Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:2, 4. “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; he will render upon her a recompense....My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord.” Jeremiah 50:6, 45. If you choose to follow God and flee from Babylon, refusing to even touch anything connected with her, including giving up listening to or playing any paganized styles of music, then God promises: “...I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.