Is Instrumental Music Proper in Public Worship?

Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
—Psalm 33:2–3

William S. Plumer, 'Expository Studies in the Book of Psalms', doctrinal and practical remarks:

1. The second and third verses of this Psalm bring directly before us the subject of instrumental music. A few things are here offered on the propriety of now employing such music in public worship.

a. It is entirely certain that the primitive Christians did not use any instruments of music in their public worship. This is plain from the teachings of Justin Martyr, Chrysostom and Theodoret. On Psalms 143, 149. Chrysostom, and on our Psalm 5:2, Theodoret give decisive testimony. It is collected in Bingham, Vol. II. pp. 494, 495. Chrysostom says "it was only permitted to the Jews as sacrifice was, for the heaviness and grossness of their souls. God condescended to their weakness, because they were lately drawn off from idols; but now instead of organs, we may use our own bodies to praise him withal."

b. It is certain that organs were not introduced into Christian churches anywhere till at least as late as the middle of the thirteenth century. Thomas Aquinas says expressly, "Our church does not use musical instruments, as harps and psalteries, to praise God withal that she may not seem to Judaize." Both Protestants and Romanists admit this testimony to be decisive as to the fact that instruments were not used as late as the time of the great Schoolman, A. D. 1250.

c. It is quite clear from Scripture that instruments of music were used before the days of Moses to express the joyful feelings of the heart, Job 30:31.

d. Few will deny the lawfulness of using instruments of music in private to raise the joyous emotions of the soul, even in devotion. Such a view would generally be regarded as extreme.

e. The introduction of instruments of music in aid of sacred song is not a provision of the law of Moses. This came in the days of David. It was no essential part of the ceremonial institute of the great prophet who wrote the pentateuch.

f. In discussing and settling this question it will not aid in finding the truth to lose our tempers and employ harsh and extravagant language, as is too often done.

g. Those who decline or refuse the use of instrumental music themselves, ought not to judge their brethren who think it profitable. "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?"

h. Brethren who wish to have instrumental music, ought not to use their liberty maliciously. It is not right to make a schism in the body of Christ on such points.

i. Those who insist on the sinfulness of employing these aids are in all fairness bound to produce at least one clear text, or adduce a fair and plain inference from some passage of Scripture, sustaining their views.

j. If instruments are used in public worship, it ought to be only as aids to congregational singing. Where they discourage this, they are an intolerable offence. "Light and silly voluntaries, long and unmeaning interludes between the stanzas, loud accompaniment, fancy stop, and see-saw swell-playing, and other things similar," should be wholly discountenanced.

k. In very high latitudes the Moravians found the organ of great use in aiding the people in keeping their voices from sinking to a low key.

l. It will probably interest the reader to see the views of two eminent worthies on this subject.

JOHN CALVIN

Calvin: "It is evident that the Psalmist here expresses the vehement and ardent affection which the faithful ought to have in praising God, when he enjoins musical instruments to be employed for this purpose. He would have nothing omitted by believers which tends to animate the minds and feelings of men in singing God's praises. The name of God, no doubt, can, properly speaking, be celebrated only by the articulate voice; but it is not without reason that David adds to this those aids by which believers were wont to stimulate themselves the more to this exercise; especially considering that he was speaking to God's ancient people. There is a distinction, however, to be observed here, that we may not indiscriminately consider as applicable to ourselves everything which was formerly enjoined upon the Jews. I have no doubt that playing upon cymbals, touching the harp and the viol, and all that kind of music which is so frequently mentioned in the Psalms, was a part of the education; that is to say, the puerile instruction of the law: I speak of the stated service of the temple. For even now, if believers choose to cheer themselves with musical instruments, they should, I think, make it their object not to dissever their cheerfulness from the praises of God. But when they frequent their sacred assemblies, musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the Law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to him. Paul allows us to bless God in the public assembly of the saints only in a known tongue, 1 Cor. 14:16. The voice of man, although not understood by the generality, assuredly excels all inanimate instruments of music; and yet we see what St. Paul determines concerning speaking in an unknown tongue. What shall we then say of chanting, which fills the ears with nothing but an empty sound? Does any one object that music is very useful for awakening the minds of men and moving their hearts? I own it; but we should always take care that no corruption creep in, which might both defile the pure worship of God and involve men in superstition. Moreover, since the Holy Spirit expressly warns us of this danger by the mouth of Paul, to proceed beyond what we are there warranted by him, is not only, I must say, unadvised zeal, but wicked and perverse obstinacy."

It is probable the views of Calvin are as strong, and as strongly expressed as any person on that side of the question would desire.

RICHARD BAXTER

On the other side Richard Baxter, in his Christian Directory, Works, vol. v., pp. 499–501, thus delivers himself: "Quest. cxxvii., Is church-music by organs or such instruments lawful?

Answer. I know that in the persecuted and poorer times of the church, none such were used (when they had not temples, nor always a fixed meeting place.) And that the author of the Quest. et Resp. in Justin Martyr speaketh against it. And I grant, 1. That as it is in the power of weak, diseased Christians, to make many things unlawful to their brethren lest we be hurtful to them, and to deprive us of much, not only of our liberties but our helps, so in abundance of congregations, church-music is made unlawful by accident, through their mistake. For it is unlawful (eæteris paribus) by an unnecessary thing to occasion divisions in the churches; but where one part judgeth church-music unlawful, for another part to use it, would occasion divisions in the churches, and drive away the other part. Therefore I would wish church-music to be nowhere set up, but where the congregation can accord in the use of it; or at least where they will not divide thereupon. 2. And I think it unlawful to use such strains of music as are light, or as the congregation cannot easily be brought to understand; much more on purpose to commit the whole work of singing to the choristers, and exclude the congregation. I am not willing to join in such a church where I shall be shut out of this noble work of praise. 3. But plain intelligible church-music, which occasioneth not divisions, but the church agreeth in, for my part I never doubted to be lawful. For,

1. God set it up long after Moses' ceremonial Law, by David, Solomon, etc.

2. It is not an instituted ceremony merely, but a natural help to the mind's alaerity: and it is a duty and not a sin to use the helps of nature and lawful art, though not institute sacraments, etc., of our own. As it is lawful to use the comfortable helps of spectacles in reading the Bible, so is it of music to exhilarate the soul towards God.

3. Jesus Christ joined with the Jews that used it, and never spake a word against it.

4. No Scripture forbiddeth it, therefore it is not unlawful.

5. Nothing can be against it, that I know of, but what is said against tunes and melody of voice. For whereas they say that it is a human invention; so are our tunes (and metre, and versions.) Yea, it is not a human invention; as the last psalm and many others show, which call us to praise the Lord with instruments of music.

And whereas it is said to be a carnal kind of pleasure, they may say as much of a melodious, harmonious concert of voices, which is more excellent music than any instruments.

And whereas some say that they find it do them harm, so others say of melodious singing: but as wise men say they find it do them good.

And why should the experience of some prejudiced self-conceited person, or of a half-man that knoweth not what melody is, be set against the experience of all others, and deprive them of all such helps and mercies, as these people say they find no benefit by.

And as some deride church-music by many scornful names, so others do by singing (as some congregations near me testify, who these many years have forsaken it, and will not endure it: but their pastor is fain to unite them, by the constant and total omission of singing psalms.) It is a great wrong that some do to ignorant Christians, by putting such whimsies and scruples into their heads, which as soon as they enter, turn that to a scorn, and snare, and trouble, which might be a real help and comfort to them, as it is to others."

IN CLOSING

m. The author knows not how better to close remarks on this subject than by quoting with entire approbation a sentence or two from Morison: "Never let it be forgotten, that no sounds of the most exquisite harmony, whether proceeding from human voices, or from harp of sweetest sound, can be acceptable with Jehovah, if the music of a redeemed heart does not give tone and emphasis to the song of praise. It is infallibly certain that there can be no religion in mere sounds of any description, unless the worshipper sings with grace in his heart, making melody unto the Lord."