Music Day to Day

Music is one thing that is pretty hard to escape as mentioned by the prompt; it is everywhere from commercials, to even public bathrooms sometimes, but what is the purpose of all that? Music is a day to day thing that is often used to influence us, whether it’s a catchy jingle to convince us to buy car insurance with State Farm, or to make us feel hype when our favorite hero’s theme plays. Aside from all that secular use, why do we have music in church? What’s the real use of it in a Christian’s daily life?

Originally, before we had commercials, film, or even restaurants to play songs to subliminally get us out faster, God had created a being in his heavenly kingdom to actually be in charge of creating music for a purpose that doesn’t involve selling you car insurance, or getting you hype during a movie. In Ezekiel 28:13 (KJV) it tells us (speaking of Lucifer) “…the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” God had created a cherub, and along with him, instruments to create music, but still for what purpose?

Ultimately, the Bible explains to us that God had created man for fellowship (1 Corinthians 1:9 “…ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”), as well as worship (Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God…”). All through the Bible, from as far as the days of Moses, to David, all the way to the end of times as predicted in Revelation, people have, and will continue to use music day to day as a way to thank God, and worship him for his greatness.

Starting with Moses, in Exodus 15:1 (KJV) right after God had split the Red Sea for Israel to pass through, and also extinguishing their enemies, Moses began to sing a song with Israel. “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” It was a song to worship and praise God for having helped them in their greatest moment of need at the time.

Another notable figure in the Bible who would lead, and was involved with music was King David, before and during his rule over Israel. David continues to be well known for writing the majority of what is known as the Bible’s songbook (Psalms). Another way music was used to worship God was in finding consolation in Him through song, as well as helping others find consolation as well. In Psalm 96:1-2 we find where David worship’s God through his music; “O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. ² Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.” Evidently it was also used to declare his glory to others. In 1 Samuel 16:23 Saul was being tormented by an evil spirit that appeared when God’s had left him, and David was given the ability to help soothe his spirit. “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”

Finally, in Revelation a group of a hundred and forty-four thousand sang a “new song” to God as the big war between good and evil was coming to it’s end. “ And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders…” (Revelation 14:3) Obviously, their song(s) were for worship as it is in Revelation 15:3 “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”

Given these verses from the Bible, God’s intent for music was mainly to worship Him, being truly, the least we could do for Him. In worshiping Him through music, we can often find consolation as David often did, or console others as Saul was being sometimes that life can just be hard, and sometimes hearing a sweet hymn can calm our spirits. We can use it to give thanks, worship, and prepare our own hearts, as well as the hearts of others to hear what God has to say to us. Music is so easy to make as nearly anyone can hum; it’s the least we have to offer the God of creation as well as salvation. Our daily use of it can be to those in times before us, as said in 2 Chronicals 5:13 “It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever…”