Worship in Spirit and Truth. —John 4:23-24
Speak to Yourselves in Song. —Ephesians 5:19
Teach & Admonish One Another. —Colossians 3:16
Sing with Grace in the Heart. —Colossians 3:16
Sing with the Spirit & Understanding. —1 Corinthians 14:15
Make Melody in the Heart. —Ephesians 5:19
All Scripture must be interpreted and applied according to its dispensational context. In Psalm 144:1, David says, “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” It is true that God blessed David in all his wars and fighting, and helped him to kill and destroy his enemies but that is foreign to the Gospel dispensation. God now requires us to cease from wars and fighting, to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us and despitefully use us, and to “resist not evil” (Matt. 5:38-45). God also allowed David to have multiple wives and blessed him and the offspring he brought forth by those wives. God condemns such a practice in the present dispensation and will never bless any man who should follow David’s example. Therefore, all Scripture must be interpreted and applied according to its dispensational context. This holds true relative to Psalm 150:3-8 and other Psalms that command the use of musical instruments or dancing in worship to God. No Old Testament text can annul any New Testament doctrine or principle. The New Testament is the “better testament,” and is the one God requires us to live by today.Read more
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. —Revelation 5:8
The book of Revelation is symbolic in nature and paints a beautiful picture of the saints gathered around the throne with harps in their hands, singing the song of redemption. These harps in heaven are not literal but symbolic of the praise being given to God. They typify the unity and oneness that come from being in harmony with the Spirit.
“Tune your harps ye ransomed throng, and extol the Christ.
Sing the name that opened mercy’s door;
Oh, ‘tis music, sweetest music to sinners lost,
Sweetest to the saints forevermore.”
—Warner, Daniel. The Music of His Name.
Before a symphony begins to play, musicians tune their instruments to the concert pitch so they can blend in one accord. The sound would be discordant when the symphony began to play if each member had tuned his instrument to a different standard. When they measure to the leader, the harmonious sound is beautiful.
When people gather to worship the Lord, it is vital that each person has prepared his heart and is in tune with the Holy Spirit; thus the author said, “tune your harps.” Worship service is a time to leave the pressures and cares of life to collectively glorify and learn of Christ. If the congregation is out of tune with the Spirit, there will likewise be a discordant sound. Read more