Has God authorized instrumental worship?
No, the New Testament presents no such authority. The first century church was instructed by the apostles of Christ (Luke 11:49; Acts 2:37, 42; 4:35; 8:18; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 2:20; 2 Pet. 3:2; Jude 1:17) whom were guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13) into all truth (John 16:13), yet, instrumental worship is nowhere to be seen in the pages of the New Testament. Therefore, it is not of the truth. And if it is not of the truth, those offering such worship are not worshipping God in truth as Christ said must be done (John 17:17). No, God does not desire this type of adoration from the church or else He would have inspired the apostles to say so. Jesus explicitly commanded His apostles to teach the observance of all things He had commanded, and this would include all things commanded by the Spirit (John 14:26).
Sometimes scripture is cited from Revelation where harps are mentioned in heaven, but it must be remembered that Revelation is a book of symbolism. The harps are no more literal than the vials (bowls) of incense which are said to be the “prayers of the saints” (5:8). Furthermore, literal or symbolic, the harps are in heaven and therefore authorize nothing for the church on earth. It has been said:
“To argue that what is accepted or rejected there is accepted or rejected in the church proves more than our friends will accept. Shall we conclude that since there is no marriage in heaven, we in the church are not authorized to marry?” (Caldwell, p. 255).
However, let’s consider some common replies in defense of instrumental worship in the church. Matt Slick, apologist, creator of CARM.org, and host of CARM Radio presents some of these responses in an article titled, Can We Use Instruments in the Church?
DAVID AND THE PSALMS
Mr. Slick first goes to the Old Testament for authorization, saying:
“The Psalms contain instructions that we worship the Lord with musical instruments…”
Instrumental praise in the book of Psalms is commonly the reason people believe the same is acceptable in Christianity. If God accepted it then—why not now? It is true that the book of Psalms contains many Biblical principles that Christians can learn, and it includes forms of worship that the New Testament further authorizes (such as singing, and praying, etc.). In fact, the whole Old Testament is profitable for learning. Throughout it are countless truths, morals, prophecies and foreshadows to be valued. However, it is essential to understand that Jesus Christ established a new covenant with God’s people (Heb. 8:8-12), and whatever is to be done within the relationship between God and man must be authorized in that covenant alone. The Mosaic Law, including the book of Psalms (Jesus referred to it as the law – John 10:34), ended at the cross (Rom. 7:4; Gal. 3:24-25; Eph. 2:15-15, etc.).
Thus it is useless to appeal to a discontinued covenant in an effort to claim authority for one’s practice of worship. Jesus declared that He has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). Therefore, everything, including our interaction with God through worship, must be authorized by Christ. David can authorize nothing. Jesus, through the inspiration of the Spirit, by the word of the apostles, has authorized a variety of forms of worship including, prayer (1 Cor. 14:15; Thess. 5:17, etc.), observance of the Lord’s supper (Acts 2:42; 20:7), speaking praise (Heb. 13:15), singing, (1 Cor. 15:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), etc. However, instrumental music is not approved once.
Reflect on another important truth. Just because something was approved or even demanded by God in the past does not mean it is still authorized now. The baptism of John, for example, was ordained by God at one time (John 1:26, 28), but He no longer accepts it in the Christian dispensation (Acts 19:3-5).
EPHESIANS 5:19 AND PSALLO
Mr. Slick continues:
“Furthermore, in Eph 5:19, the phrase ‘making melody’ is the Greek word, psallo which means, ‘1) to pluck off, pull out, 2) to cause to vibrate by touching, to twang, 2a) to touch or strike the chord, to twang the strings of a musical instrument so that they gently vibrate, 2b) to play on a stringed instrument, to play, the harp, etc. 2c) to sing to the music of the harp 2d) in the NT to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praises of God in song.’ We can see that the making melody to the Lord involves the use of musical instruments.”
It’s remarkable that while Mr. Slick is defending the use of instrumental worship, he quotes a Greek lexicon (Thayer’s) that actually refutes the very argument for which he quotes it. He argues that the Greek word psallo (translated “making melody” KJV) incorporates the use of a stringed instrument, but, in fact, the very lexicon he cites makes it clear that during the era in which the New Testament was written, psallo meant simply to sing. The lexicon says, “In the NT to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praises of God in song.” Did you notice that all those stringed-instrument definitions vanish when the word is defined by its New Testament meaning? Did Mr. Slick? The apostle Paul is only commanding them to sing, not to play an instrument, and Mr. Slick has presented evidence of such.
In the ages previous to Paul’s, as the Lexicon states, psallo did carry the idea of plucking on strings, but it is natural for words to evolve in meaning over time. For instance, in the 14th century, the word “nice” meant foolish or silly, but now, of course, it has a pleasant, positive meaning. The word “lewd” in the 1300’s meant the common people, or the laity, while our modern usage is that of showing lustful excitement or desire in an offensive way. Countless words could be listed to exemplify the point. Numerous lexicons and sources could be referenced to confirm that by the time Paul penned psallo in the first century, it no longer embodied the idea of plucking strings on an instrument.
Yet, amazingly, but not surprisingly, Mr. Slick passes right over that important nugget of truth. He brings no attention whatsoever to the New Testament definition. Instead, he just says, “Making melody to the Lord involves the use of musical instruments.” Either he doesn’t understand the Lexicon he quotes, or he’s being intellectually dishonest by ignoring the New Testament definition of the word.
PSALLO’S INSTRUMENT
This having been said, the fact is that regardless of the era in which it is used, no specific instrument is inherent in the word psallo. Such must be determined from the context. Some examples will suffice from the well known Greek version of the Old Testament, the Septuagint:
“Play [psallo]” happens “on the psaltery with ten strings” (Psalm 33:2).
“I will sing songs [psallo] on the harp” (Psalm 71:22).
“Sing [psallo] with a harp” (Psalm 98:5-6).
“Let them sing praises [psallo] with timbrel and psaltery” (Psalm 149:3).
The only instrument in Ephesians 5:19 that is connected with psallo is the heart. He says to psallo “in the heart.” This means man’s spirit and thoughts must be involved in the singing. (Compare 1 Corinthians 14:15 where psallo is used with “understanding.”) It is out of the heart that praises shout forth from the lips; thus when music is made in the heart, we sing praises to God and our Lord Jesus Christ. The praises of a song exist only in the words of a song. Mechanical instruments have nothing to offer on that front. No, vibrations from inanimate devices can offer no praise to the Lord. Neither pops, nor bangs, nor clicks, nor jingles, nor is any other mechanical sound able to render to God the music He desires.
“Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Heb. 13:15)
–Andrew Richardson