INTRODUCTION
Music is a God-given gift to humanity as the finest of the fine arts. It is the universal language of pure sound, feeling and emotion; of universal appeal, influencing alike the scholar and the lay person, the old and the young, the human and the beast; international and knows no barriers of religion, race, caste, creed or dogma. Music is the most harmless of pleasures evident in all homes, rich or poor yet, is an international force that can carry humankind farther than words. It may elevate the soul if the sounds of voices and instruments are united in rhythmical, melodic and harmonic manner. The best music of any country is the music of the people that arises from the heart of people and land i.e., “Folk Music.” Here, in this essay, to show biblical mandate for folk music that maintains the ambience of life and worship of the people, attempt is made to bring out most of the important references in both the New and Old Testaments Bible.
1. Folk Music in the Old Testament
Music played an important part in Hebrew culture since the time of Jubal, the son of Lamech and the inventor of music (Gen. 4: 21). The Bible is the main source for the study of music in ancient Israel related to the sacred service (2Chr. 29: 25) and praise of God (Ps. 150); the apostrophic-prophylactic (Exod. 28: 33) and ecstatic-prophetic (Isa. 10: 5); communication (Num. 10: 1-9); War (2Chr. 20: 28); events of joy (Exod. 15: 20) and sorrow (Isa. 14: 11). Various accounts suggest that different styles of singing were also employed like, solo (2Sam. 23: 1), choral (2Chr. 20: 21), a capella (Exod. 15: 1) or with instrumental accompaniment (Ps. 149: 1-3), responsorial (Ezra 3: 10-11), or antiphonal (1Sam. 18: 6-7).[1]
1.1. Vocal and Instrumental Music: Some of the important vocal and instrumental music evident in the Old Testament are briefly discussed in the following.
(a) Israelites’ Song: It is the song of thanksgiving accompanied by tambourine and dances performed by the people along with Moses, Miriam and Aaron after deliverance from Egyptian captivity and destruction of Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exod. 15:1-21).[2] Israelites’ song with dance was the organic part of the praise and worship in occasion such as, at the receiving of the laws of God at Mount Sinai (Exod. 19: 16-19), at the threshing of grain and treading of grapes, celebration of desert well, and in welcoming the valour army from battle.[3]
(b) Deborah’s Song: It was in the second half of the twelfth century B.C.E. Deborah, the only female judge in the Old Testament has proclaimed the greatness of Yahweh to the contagious nations through triumph song, which is regarded as the finest ode of triumph preserved in Israelite literature (Judges 5).[4]
(c) Hannah’s Song: Hannah expressed thanks to the Holy God and the Rock for answering her prayer for a son, Samuel. Her song foretold the coming of the first king of Israel, the expected messiah. Thus, it became the national hymn of victory (1Sam. 2: 2-11).[5]
(d) Psalms: The Book of Psalms[6] or the ‘hymnal of Israel’ seemed to have been compiled during and after the Babylonian Exile. The songs are deep expressions of experience, gratitude, triumph, thought, blessing, emotion, adoration, reverence, awe, praise and faith. In Psalms praise and worship is done by shouting, crying, clapping, singing, dancing along with playing of instruments like, Tambourine, Harp, Trumpet, Strings, Cymbals and so on (Ps. 9: 1-2; Ps. 33: 1-3; Ps. 47: 1; Ps 81: 2; Ps. 105: 1-2; Ps. 149: 1-3; Ps. 150: 3-6).[7]
(e) The Song of Songs: The Song of Solomon is the finest collection of beautiful songs of love. 1Kgs. 4: 32 clearly bring out the number of song written by King Solomon as 1005 which may include “The Song of Songs”.[8]
(f) Hezekiah’s Song: In gratitude towards God for having him yet fifteen more years of earthly life, King Hezekiah sang the doxology accompanied by stringed instruments (Isa. 38: 20).
(g) Music in the Chronicles: The first Book of Chronicles tells us how very carefully the music of the Temple was to be organised: seventeen singers, three cymbal players, eight psalterers, six harp players, seven priests to blow the trumpets and the wise chief Levite must be song master. David instituted the choir and as the agency for the ritual pronouncement of God’s name and His accomplishments at the Jerusalem Temple, at the command of the Lord through prophets Nathan and Gad (1Chr. 16: 4, 8, 14, 35). In Chronicles the sacrificial worship at the Temple is seen as inextricably intertwined with the functions of music such as, invocation of God’s presence, thanksgiving, prophecy, engaging in supernatural warfare against the Lord’s enemies, invitation of congregation both Israelites and other nations (1Chr. 6: 31-47; 9: 14-16; 15: 1-16; 16: 39-40; 23: 2-5; 2Chr. 5: 11-14; 7: 1-6; 8: 12-15; 20: 18-30; 30: 21-22; 34: 12-13).[9]
(h) David’s Music: With the power of music David overthrew the forces of darkness, casted the spirit away and calm down the troubled Saul (1Sam. 16: 23). David also danced to the tune of music as a sign of triumph before the Ark of the Covenant (1Chr. 13: 8).[10]
(i) Temple Music: In Hebrew worship, music was considered as the language of Jewish liturgy. Music was used to intensify devotion, prayer and praise, and even the scriptures were not uttered without melody.[11]
1.2. Musical Instruments: At present some 700 artefacts - actual remains of musical instruments have been excavated,[12] however, focus is made only on some of the important instruments found in the Old Testament.
(a) Horn (Shofar): Shofar is made of ram’s horn; its shape is semi-circular, capable of producing one tone and is used mostly for fanfares or signals.[13] It was a solo instrument at significant cultic and national events: theophanies (Exod. 19: 13-16), the Day of Atonement (Lev. 25: 9), the New Moon feast (Ps. 81: 3), transporting the Ark (2Sam. 6: 5), during battle (Judges 3: 27), the Day of Judgement (Joel 2: 1), in victory celebrations (1Sam. 13: 3) and for destruction of the walls of Jericho (Josh. 6:20). Trumpet was the one used by Nebuchadnezzar’s orchestra (Daniel 3). This long horn with a turned-up end was the national trumpet of the Israelites and that remains to our day in the synagogue from the music played in the Temple.[14]
(b) Trumpet (Hatsotsra): Trumpet is made of beaten silver or bronze or sometimes of ram’s horn (Ps. 150: 3 – 5; Num. 10: 2). It is blown for communication, alarm, war, celebration, at the temple service, at coronations and in connection with vows to God (Num. 10: 2-10; 2Kgs. 12: 13; 11: 14; 2Chr. 23: 13; Ezra 3: 10; 2Chr. 15: 14).[15] As ordered by God, Moses made two trumpets for summoning the people, directing the site for camping, informing about war and festivities. It was principally not a martial instrument but a sacred instrument.
(c) Lyre: Lyre is a small harp like instrument which was probably borrowed from the Egyptian culture.[16] It is made of Almug wood with 12 and 10 strings and were usually played with a plectrum (1Kgs. 10: 11-12; 1Sam. 16: 16; Ps. 33: 2). Lyre is associated with nearly every type of musical occasion from praise of God and prophecy (Ps. 150: 3; 1Sam. 10: 5) to grief, victory celebrations (2Chr. 20: 28), debauchery (Isa. 5: 12),[17] and in banquets and Temple worship (Ps. 81: 2; 1Chr. 15: 16; 2Chr. 5: 12; Isa. 24: 8; Ezek. 26: 13).[18]
(d) Harp (Kinnor): The Kinnor is the first musical instrument mentioned in the Bible (Gen. 4: 21), and is the only stringed instrument referred to in the Pentateuch. It is the instrument that David played with his hand to cast away the evil spirit from Saul (1Sam. 16: 23). It is a wooden instrument, David’s being made probably of Cypress (2Sam. 6: 5).[19]
(e) Lute: It is a guitar like instrument used by the Israelites, Mesopotamians, Hittites and Egyptians.[20]
(f) Psaltery: The word “psaltery” is derived from Greek Psalterion, which denotes a kind of harp instrument plucked with the fingers without plectrum, primarily made of Cypress wood and later of Almug wood. David was able to play both the Psaltery as well as the Harp.[21]
(g) Cymbals: There are two types of cymbals such as saucer like plates (7-12 cm), held by hand loops, beaten in a vertical position, and smaller ones (3-7 cm), fastened to two fingers of one hand. The Bible mentions cymbals played by Levites at the religious ceremonies (1Chr. 15: 19; Ezra 3: 10; Neh. 12: 27; 1Chr. 15: 16; 2Chr. 5: 13; 2Sam. 6: 5 and Ps. 150: 5).[22]
(h) Drum/Timbrel/Tambourine (Top): The book of Genesis mentions two descendents of Cain-Tubal, who have invented the timbrel.[23] This instrument has a form of 25-40 cm, frame over which was stretched a membrane. Often, it was played by women as a solo instrument in connection with dancing. This had both cultic and secular use (Exod. 15: 20; Ps. 149: 3) and prophetic ecstasy (1Sam. 10: 5). Drums were played for joyful feasts (Isa. 5: 12), processions (1Sam. 18: 6) and other celebrations except worship (Ps. 81: 2; 2Sam. 6: 5; Gen. 31: 27).[24]
(i) Bells/Jingles (Pa’amon): This instrument could have come from the Egyptians. Bells of gold, placed between pomegranates were attached to the lower hem of the Aaron’s high priestly robes (Exod. 28: 33, 34; 39: 25, 26). It also refers to the metal discs or cups fixed to the bridles of horses either as an ornament or in order to produce a jingling sound.[25]
(j) Flute (Saraq): It is a pipe instrument probably blown from the end. In the Old Testament, Saraq is mentioned only once in Daniel chapter 3.[26]
(k) Reed Pipe (Halil): A single or double-pipe reed instrument similar to the clarinet or oboe is used to accompany ecstatic prophecy (1Sam. 10: 5), festival processions (Isa. 30: 29), joyful revelry and mourning (1Kgs. 1: 40; Jer. 48: 36) as well as secular debaucheries (Isa. 5: 12).[27]
(l) Organ (Ugab): It is often identified as a vertical flute which is sometime mistaken as a stringed instrument. The word occurs only four times in the Old Testament as an instrument of praise, joy and mourning (Gen. 4: 21; Ps. 150: 4; Job 21: 12; 30: 31).
(m) Cornet: An idiophone, a clay rattle consists of an oval hoop on a handle, affixed with rods carrying loose rings is jangled together when it is shaken. In the Bible, various shapes of rattle were seen as used in orgiastic cultic activities (2Sam. 6: 5; 1Chr. 13: 8).[28]
2. Folk Music in the New Testament
2.1. Vocal Music: It is evident that the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 C.E. set the stage for new forms of musical expression among the Jews. Restriction is made on the public music and dance on the Sabbath; hymns borrowed from the synagogue worship were modified to reflect their new theological understanding like the “worthy art thou” hymnic fragments in Rev. 4: 11; 5: 9-10, and the songs of victory and assurance in Rev. 7: 15-17; 11: 17-18.[29]
In the New Testament, emphasis on music is upon personal or congregational singing. In the Gospel of Luke the angels are singing their message of peace and goodwill, announcing the birth of Jesus (Lk. 2: 13-14).[30] In the parable of the prodigal son, on the return of the son, the father warmly welcomes the son with music and dancing (Lk. 15: 21-25). We find mention of the hymn sung by Jesus and his disciples after the meal in the upper room before Jesus went up the mount of Olive (Matt. 26: 30; Mk. 14: 26) which probably might have been the hallel.[31] Paul advises two of the young churches to “teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and... sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3: 16; cf. Eph. 5: 19). He suggests to the Corinthian Church that “I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also” (1Cor. 14: 15). James exhorts any of his readers who are suffering to pray; any who are cheerful to sing praise (James 5: 13). Paul and Silas exemplify the same convictions in the Philippian jail as they first pray and then sing (Acts 16: 25). In Hebrews we find the affirmation, “In the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to thee” (Heb. 2: 12), and similarly in Romans, “Therefore I will praise thee among the Gentiles, and sing to thy name” (Rom. 15: 9). In Revelation, John heard the sound of music before the throne-the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb as a characteristic expression of the redeemed. (Rev. 5: 9; 14: 3; 15: 3). Today, the songs in the New Testament are used in the liturgy of the Church: the Magnificat (Lk. 1: 46-54), Benedictus (Lk. 1: 64-79) and Gloria in Excel Sis Deo (Lk. 2: 14).
2.2. Musical Instruments: There are four musical instruments mentioned in the New Testament.[32]
(a) Single or Double-Pipe: This is a popular Greco-Roman reed instrument played both at weddings and funerals (1Cor. 14: 7; Matt. 9: 23; 11: 17).
(b) Lyre: This may be a large Roman instrument (Rev. 14: 2).
(c) Trumpet: This is the most frequently mentioned instrument (11 times) in the New Testament (1Thess. 4: 16; 1Cor. 15: 52)
(d) Cymbals: The “noisy gong” (1Cor. 13: 1) was probably a resonating device, a bronze vase at the back of the Greek theatre.
CONCLUSION
The tracing of the values and role of folk music in the Bible reveals its important distinctive characteristics: rooted in the heart of the people; simple, natural and participatory; learned almost by osmosis - from childhood music is heard and imbibed along with ones mother's milk; practiced, performed and honed through numerous public activities; and serve as powerful medium of communication with God and one another. This nature seen above projected folk music into the core of all the available genres of music in the contemporary world and is discovered as the most appropriate genre of music for use in praise and worship in Christian Church. However, the contention is that the prevailing unsustainable state in which all the people are now attracted towards the western music in the secular as well as in the sacred worlds. Therefore, to rediscover the significance of folk music is the need of the hour for the so called Christians because the giver of music God expects all the worshippers to worship Him just the way they are i.e., ‘in truth and in spirit’.
[9] C.C. Torrey, The Chronicles History of Israel (New Heaven: Yale University Press, 1954), 79; John W. Kleinig, The Lord’s Song, The Basis, Function and Significance of Choral Music in Chronicles (Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1993), 157; W. Slotki, Chronicles, Soncino Books of the Bible (London: Soncino Press, 1952), 105; N. Lee Orr, The Church Music Hand Book for Pastors and Musicians (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1991), 87.
[11] Evelyn Uderhill, Worship (London: Nisbed and Co. GB, 1936), 195. There were three musical instruments that seem to appear several times together in connection to Temple music: harps (Kinnor), psalteries (Nevel) and cymbals (Metsiltaim). The use of the three instruments had developed in the Bible during the processions and festivities of the transfer of the Arc of the Covenant (Aron Habrit) from Shiloh to Jerusalem by King David. Therefore, it can be rightly said that the temple worship gained momentum in the monarchic period.
No comments:
Post a Comment