How Are Instruments Used to Worship God?
At one point in time, pianos were considered secular, pub instruments that had no place in the church. Today, however, you may encounter those who insist on only singing in church with a piano and a hymnal. From Gregorian chants to full orchestras, massive pipe organs to a singular acoustic guitar, pianos to 5-piece bands – the history of instrumental music in the church is an interesting one, to say the least. These changes over the years and from church to church today come down to a variety of factors including the history of music itself, differing convictions, cultural influences, liturgical approaches, denominational decisions, congregation size, etc.
With all of these factors in view, one thing is consistent for many (but not all) believers, especially today – we worship through music often with the guidance of some instrumentation. Speaking for my church, King’s Hill Church, this instrumental guidance is not the only purpose of our use of instruments on a Sunday morning. If this was the case, we could take away every instrument but one and only have that instrument play as minimally as possible. (This certainly has its place. Consider this live recording of “He Will Hold Me Fast” or even the liturgical singing of “The Doxology” at the end of a worship service). Beyond instrumental guidance for singing, what purpose do instruments serve in a worship service? As a member of the congregation, what do you do as the instruments play, but there isn’t anything to sing?
It is important to note that many instruments are mentioned in the Bible – horns, tambourines, cymbals, harps, lyres, trumpets. In the book of Exodus, Miriam and the other Israelite women sang and danced with tambourines as they praised God in celebration after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21). In response to King Saul’s request for a skilled musician of the Lord, David would play the harp to refresh Saul and cause a harmful spirit to leave him (1 Samuel 16:14-23). You also see David and the house of Israel praising God with lyres, harps, tambourines, and cymbals in response to the return of the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:5). These are just a few examples of God’s people using musical instruments as a form of worship and praise in the Old Testament.
We don’t have as many mentions of instruments in the New Testament, but there are two that certainly stick out. One is the use of the trumpets in the book of Revelation. The angels blow trumpets at different times to mark the beginning of God working; eventually, in Revelation 11:15, an angel blows his trumpet as voices in heaven declare the Lord’s reign over his kingdom. While the angels in Revelation are serving under very unique circumstances, it is fascinating to consider that God has sovereignly chosen to use the sound of an instrument to call attention to his work and his kingdom.
The other New Testament mention of an instrument that stands out is the flute players in Matthew 9:23. Where most of the other mentions of instruments in the Bible point to joy, praise, and adoration, these flute players are assembled for a somber matter – to mourn. In this scene in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus was called to a home where a girl had passed away. A crowd had gathered, and the flute players, as was customary at this time, were likely hired to be a part of the grieving process. I can’t imagine they were playing joyous sounding music, but likely something gloomy or sorrowful.
This isn’t the point of this story in Matthew, the focal point is that Jesus has power of death; he brings the girl back to life. What is interesting to consider though, is the expressiveness of these instruments. These flute players were capable of making music that bolstered the emotions of those around them. As seen in some of these biblical examples, music is an expressive artform. Instruments and songs can portray joy, sorrow, longing, grief, happiness – emotions that our God has created us with.
As you read through the Bible, especially the Psalms, you are likely to see an abundance of emotions as God’s people cry out to him and worship him. Whatever you are experiencing spiritually and mentally, that can and should be brought before God in worship and adoration of him. Music gives us an incredible way to express that. Consider a time in your life when you were filled with sorrow. Perhaps a song like “I Will Wait for You” by the Keith and Kristyn Getty speaks to your burdens, “Out of the depths, I cry to You… hear my cry for mercy, Lord.” Alternatively, a song like, “You Are Good” by Israel Houghton may be uplifting to your soul as you meditate on the never-changing goodness of God, “Lord, you are good, and your mercy endureth forever.” Give both of these songs a quick listen. Notice how their lyrics are served by the instrumentation. “I Will Wait for You” takes on a more solemn, yet hopeful sound, whereas “You Are Good” is lively and exuberant. Also, notice the moments in these songs in which no one is singing – these worshipful expressions are still present in their instrumentation.
Any well-written worship song will lyrically and musically be expressive like these two I have mentioned, but here are a few more examples if you would like to listen to more:
“Where Were You” by Ghost Ship: puts God’s response to Job to song by utilizing a gradual increase in intensity to display the power of God’s words, then ends with a sudden moment of tranquility to express God’s loving, peaceful care in answering prayer.
“Satisfied in You” by The Sing Team: employs mellow and minimal instrumentation that displays the quiet longing of Psalm 42.
“Death Was Arrested” by North Point Worship: uses longer pauses after the lines, “Our Savior displayed on a criminal’s cross / Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost…” to build anticipation and display the silence of Christ in the tomb.
“Crown Him with Many Crowns” by Tommy Walker: encapsulates the joy that comes with Christ as King in the call of, “Awake my soul and sing…”
“O Church Arise (Arise, Shine)” by Keith and Kristyn Getty: at times a percussionist is playing a marching rhythm that matches well with the song’s themes of spiritual battle.
So, as someone in the congregation, how do you continue to worship when the worship team is playing something instrumentally, and there is nothing to sing?
Listen to the expression being made through the song. What emotions are drawn out by the instrumentation? Is the rhythm upbeat? Does the song sound joyful, sad, somber? Is it loud? Quiet? Growing in intensity? Think about how these elements communicate what is being sung about our God. (Sometimes, you may even be invited into this expression by singing non-lyrically with “oos” or “ohs”.)
Instrumental space in music serves as a good time to pray and to meditate. Ponder the words being sung. What truth have these lyrics communicated about God, yourself, sin, the world? How is the Spirit moving in you? What has God done in your days prior that you can be grateful for? How are you longing to see him work in the days ahead? How is your soul being fed by this musical worship?
Move with the song. If it’s a song that can be clapped to – clap along. There are many instances in Scripture when God’s people respond worshipfully with dancing (to name a few – Exodus 15:20, 2 Samuel 6:16, Psalm 30:11). God created us as spiritual AND physical beings. When God created Adam, we see God form him physically, then breathe life into him. If we are to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), why would we only consider the spiritual nature (the heart and soul) of our worship through song? God has given us minds and bodies that enjoy music. If a worship song is catchy, and that moves you to tap your foot, clap your hands, sway, bob your head, dance, that isn’t wrong. Use the body God has given you to worship him. This goes for our posture during worship as well. Raise your hands in adoration of our good and loving God. Bow your head or fall on your knees in humility because our God is holy and righteous.
It is important to remember that our worship is meant to point to God. When we worship, whether it is instrumentally, vocally, or otherwise, it should never detract or distract from the glory of God. Music and dancing have been and will continue to be used by some to fuel pride and sin. We see this in Scripture (Exodus 32:19, Mark 6:22), and we can certainly see it in our culture today. This should not stop us worshipping God through song, but we should be discerning about how we approach the gift of this artform.
These negative examples should remind us to keep our worship fixed vertically on God, but let us not forget that our worship has a horizontal aspect as well. Our worship should be an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ (Ephesians 5:19-21). As you sing, look around. Maybe you see someone enjoying a song you don’t care for; perhaps they’re clapping and nodding along. Let that be a reason for you to worship even more, to sing even louder. Know that this brother or sister in Christ is being fed by this worship. Be encouraged by the family that God has gathered around you. As we lift our voices to God, the praises of the saints should fill our ears and feed our souls.
Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!