GOD’S REVEALED CHOICE PSALMS IN O.T. WORSHIP A MATTER OF WALKING BY FAITH HISTORY’S UNIFORM VOICE

Arguments in Favor of mechanical instruments in worship

“psallo” Eph. 5:19 – “make melody” “to touch sharply, to pluck, pull, twitch, to twang” – Liddell & Scott “psallo” includes mechanical instruments. (?) There is nothing inherent in the word itself that indicates the object.

“psallo” Thayer in discussing “psallo” after commenting upon the word’s use in classical Greek and in the Septuagint, he notes that “in the N.T. ‘psallo’ signifies to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praise of God in song.” - A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 675

“psallo” “The word psallo originally meant to play a stringed instrument with the fingers, or to sing with the accompaniment of a harp. Later, however, in the New Testament, it came to signifying simply to praise without the accompaniment of an instrument.” - W.E. Vine (1951, p. 191)

“psallo” CONSEQUENCES A harp is essential in worship, not optional. Singing “alone” is unacceptable. It is essential for everyone.

“psallo” Not a single major translation supports the rendering of “psallo” to include the use of mechanical instruments of music. The “instrument” is the “heart”, Eph. 5:19

The piano or organ (full band) is an “aid” to singing like our song books, song leader, lights, etc.

“aid” or “addition”? If instruments are “commanded” they cannot be justified on the basis that they are “aids.” Aids help to obey a command. Noah > Ark > Aid > tools Lord’s Supper > Aid > cups, table Assembly > Aid > building, lights, benches Sing > Aid > leader, book, pitch pipe

“aid” or “addition”? An Addition changes that which is commanded. Music Singing (vocal) – specific – “sing” Instrumental – specific – “play” Playing is a different kind of music. Adding the instrument changes the command to “sing” and adds “play”. They are distinct. Either one may be done without the other.

Instruments in Heaven in the Book of Revelation Rev 5:8 ~ Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Instruments in Heaven in the Book of Revelation Rev 14:2 ~ And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.

Instruments in Heaven in the Book of Revelation Rev 1:1 ~ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

Instruments in Heaven in the Book of Revelation Seven-horned, seven-eyed Lamb – Rev. 5:6 Golden bowls of incense – Rev. 5:8 144,000 Virgin Men – Rev. 7 & 14

Instruments in Heaven in the Book of Revelation Matt 22:30 ~ For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

“We like it, we want it; and we are determined to have it!” Against God has directed us in Scripture to “sing.” History’s uniform account is that the NT church did not use mechanical instruments in their worship. We are no longer under the OT system of worship. We are to make melody in our hearts. We walk by faith when we sing.