Since the aim of this column is to explore that area where music and faith intersect, I figure it’s important to look at Scripture and see what Scripture says about music, both descriptively and prescriptively. The Bible is replete with mentions of music, both in the Old Testament and New Testament. A couple weeks ago we discussed King David’s rad harp playing (so brutal it exorcised a demon from Saul!) and some of the hymns of the early church in Acts. Let’s go a little further, shall we?
If we go all the way back to the first mention of music, we have good ole Jubal, the ancestor of all who played harp and lyre. Apparently he placed a high value on music and fostered a culture of music in his family which carried on for a quite awhile.
Then we have a peculiar verse in Job that says
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?”
God is recounting certain aspects of His creation of the world and at His mention of the morning stars singing together, I always think of Aslan singing the world of Narnia into existence. Several questions hit us about this passage such as “who were the morning stars that were singing?” and “were the angels shouting in unison to cheer God on in His creative act or were they working on their new death metal side project?
Lastly, the book of Revelation comes to mind, where we find various monstrosities along with saints and angels singing praise to the Lamb who was slain. These mystical creatures have always fascinated me and I feel like I’m in a heaven created by Blaster the Rocket Man, worshiping my Savior with all sorts of strange, unexplainable beings.
Did I miss anything (important)? Any bets on whether or not that angelic death metal side project will be any good?