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Dallas Burdette David The Warrior Musician

Kenneth Sublett, Hohenwald, Tennessee

David the Warrior Musician: Psallo is related to the twanging arrow which hits you in the heart and kills you. It meant to whack the enemy or to abrade their courage and make them turn into cowards. That is why instrumental music is ascribed to Satan and his agents in all of the ancient writings beginning in Babylon. People certainly run from the word like cowards knowing that when it is taught it will "twang" right into the heart and make us a pathetic sight rather than insisting on "standing in the Holy Place" pretending that our silly, erotic "praise" songs are God speaking to the "audience."

Dallas Burdette and a team out of Grace Centered Magazine seem determined to brand non-instrumental churches as sectarian (and worse) for its position. Secondly, the spiritual warfare seeks to do what no scholars before them and their immediate ancestors tried: to show that God actually commanded instrumental music. History has errected its monument, however, to show that instrumentalists, from the most ancient records in Babylonia, have tried to destroy spirituality with sound, motion and claims to the "priesthood."

From Grace Centered Magazine which believes that churches of Christ invented the non-instrumental music for worship practice just to upset the singers, musicians and dancers. However, taken as a whole, the world's religion does not presume to worship a Spirit God with the body and "works of human hands."

Furthermore, those whose life's work is to disparage the non-instrumental view are not able to see that David was a warrior musician killing Gentiles: Christ was a Prince of Peace giving His life to spread His Word to the Gentiles. See the difference? Here is some of the Grace from Grace Centered Magazine:

Lindy Adams of the Christian Chronicle has led the OFFICIAL ORGAN of the change agents. They have taken over her once-Christian college and ACU's leaders have repudiated the old SCRIPTURE AND DOCTRINE, and sounding like Peatross's SPECTACLE OF WORSHIP, are now training Propets (musicans are the Lord, Lord prophesiers God doesn't know, CHANELLERS and FACILITATORS to radically change churches of Christ into Baptists churches.

After all of the Burdette radical attacks by not telling the truth, and the spending of millions of dollars trying to INFILTRATE and DIVERT churches of Christ (stealing church houses of widows to the applause of Graceless Centered people), Lindy Adams has to confess and ask:

What does it mean that five urban churches affiliated with churches of Christ have added instrumental worship services since the spring of 2001?

Do such actions, which violate a long-held and deeply-revered doctrinal tenet of churches of Christ, represent the beginning of an avalanche?

Or are the actions of five churches inconsequential in a fellowship of 13,200 congregations?

Could such reflect even more important shifts in attitudes within churches of Christ toward Scripture and doctrine?

People love to lie about what they gracelessly call the "non-instrumental churches of Christ" used as a RACA word try to PANIC people into believing that they are being defeated. Like the Chinese blowing BUGLES they try to puff themselves up with music which has only ONE SOURCE: Satan or Lucifer.

Making matters worse, as they did in the 19th century among Presbyterians, Baptists and churches of Christ, people plagued with the "idolatry of talent" make stealthy, terrorist-like attacks upon peacable churches trying to reincarnate "synagogue" or "school" into theater.

Therefore, it seems appropriate to show how the Vineyard and similar efforts has given instrumentalists a "new burst of freedom" to continue the attack began with Lucifer:

> Sounding instruments and Weapons have a common Hebrew and Greek word. In Greek Paul calls them "lifeless instruments" or "carnal weapons."

> Sounding instruments were weapons of the military until David the Warrior Musician defeated his literal enemies. David often identifies 'music sounding' words with the defeat of the Gentiles.

> After the wars the instrumentalists were assigned under king and commanders of the army to control the army and temple building and ritual. Their service was not "worship" but hard bondage imposed on the people as God warned them.

> After music was involved in starving the people for the Word (Amos, Isaiah), they went into captivity and most to their death as predicted because of the musical idolatry at Mount Sinai.

> After the Return, instruments were used only for the dedication of the temple foundation and walls. The temple is not heard of again for a hundred years and the Jews wanted to make it up to the Gentiles by building a gymnasium and worshiping like the Gentiles.

> Jesus Christ as the Spiritual anti-type of David does not grind His enemy's face into the dirt to the beat of musical instruments. Nor do we hear the "twang" of a bow string.

> Jesus and His Apostles "sang to the Gentiles" by teaching them the Words of Christ.

> The old military melody (twanging arrows, plucking hairs) was replaced with a spiritual breaking apart or plucking of the heart.

> The Babylon Harlot church will again be engaged in literal, carnal twanging and clanging when the voice of the returning Christ sounds its trumpet warning.

> There was never any "music" used as a way to worship God in spirit and in truth. None.

> "Music" is associated with children's play, prostitution, secular frolicing or the end-time prostitute religion.

This section discusses Romans 15, Ephesians and Colossians. (not proof-read or spell checked)

Review of Dallas Burdette: PRAISE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

We are not aware of a single instance where psallo is the expression of "praise." Praise is not singing but it is telling, speaking, reciting or preaching the Words of Christ or Spirit in order to teach and admonish. If I "make music" with the words of Fanny Crosby I am telling you what Fanny Crosby thought. That is not telling others what CHRIST thought.

In Romans 15 Paul demanded that we not PLEASE ourselves. This means to stir up excitement. This was the BURDEN Jesus died to remove: "Spiritual anxiety created by religious rituals." Then the ONLY way to glorify God would be to speak with ONE MIND and ONE VOICE "that which is written" by the Spirit of Christ (1 Pete. 1:11). In Ephesians, Paul said "don't get METHEUO" on wine which in the Greek world meand DON'T get FLUTED or PIPED DOWN with wine. Yu cannot PEDDLE BOOSE without PIPING DOWN MUSIC. Then, he said speak the INSPIRED text. Then, he said SING and MAKE MELODY in the HEART and not on the HARP.

kat-auleô , charm by flute-playing, tinos, phoboi (Apollo) I will flute to you on a ghastly flute,Pass., of persons, methuôn kai katauloumenos drinking wine to the strains of the flute, Pl.R.561c; k. pros chelônidos psophon to be played to on the flute with lyre accompaniment, Posidon.10 J., cf. Call.Fr.10.3 P., Phld.Mus.p.49 K.

2. c. gen. loci, make a place sound with flute-playing, Thphr.Fr.87:-- Pass., resound with flute-playing, nêsos katêuleito Plu.Ant.56 .

katauleô

I. to play upon the flute to, tinos Plat.:--Pass., of persons, to have it played to one, id=Plat.:--Pass. to resound with flute-playing, Plut.

II. c. acc. pers. to overpower by flute-playing:--generally, to overpower, strike dumb, Eur.

II. in Pass., [ton monochordon kanona] parechein tais aisthêsesi . . katauloumenon SUBDUED by a flute accompaniment, Ptol.Harm.2.12: metaph., to be PIPED down, RIDICULED, gelômenoi kai -oumenoi Anon. ap. Suid., cf. Porph.Chr.34.

methuôn kai katauloumenos (Drinking and overpowering with the flute.)

I. to play upon the flute to, tinos Plat.:--Pass., of persons, to have it played to one, id=Plat.:--Pass. to resound with flute-playing, Plut.

II. c. acc. pers. to overpower by flute-playing:--generally, to overpower, strike dumb, Eur.

Tinos "better than others"

hupauleô ,play on the flute in accompaniment, melos tisi Alcm. 78 ; penthimon ti D.C.74.5 ; hu. lusiôidos 1 one who played women's characters in male attire, Plut. Posidon.4J. ; Pandionidi Luc. Harm.1 : abs., Id.Salt.83.

lusiôidos 1 one who played women's characters in male attire, Plut.

Psallo or MELODY in the external sense points DIRECTLY to Apollo or Apollyon or Abaddon who USES the muses of Revelation 18. The Muses were sent into hell as locusts for refusing to honor the MOTHER OF THE GODS (the Babylon whore). In the legends Paul is aware of, Apollo digs up the LOCUSTS (musical performers) with STINGS in their tails to separate those with the MARK of the Word and the SEAL of baptism. They drive them out from among those with the MUSICAL MARK of Apollo (Lucifer, the singing and harp-playing prostitute). At the same time they PUNISH those with the music MARK of Cain: Cain means A MUSICAL NOTE. Music DOES punish but musicians are USED as in all of the pagan religions to INFLICT the punishment of FIGHT, FLIGHT or SEXUALITY (non-sedentary) of women:

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren,

in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Heb 2:12

This is a prophecy of what Messiah would do. He would not sing human compositions, play instruments or clap his hand making a joyful noise before the law because this was what one did when they went into battle to panic the enemy into cowardice. "Worship" is not related to "music" but we worship when we declare the Word of God but only when we allow "Jesus to do the talking" just as "Son" allowed the "Father" to speak the Spirit Words.

When we have taken on the burden of teaching the un sermonized and un versivied Word of God we don't go charismatic; we grieve in the heart, or make melody in the heart, or have our hearts pricked with a twanging arrow or have the "hairs" of our heart plucked out.

Speaking, teaching and admonishing with the Word is a somber responsiblity. Those who "rise up to play" are repudiating the Covenant and God is turning them over to legalism where "praise" is a work but a "fun kind of work" so that we can attract all of the stinking goats into the sheepfold controlled by wolves.

Therefore, if we are "singing" with Jesus then sing and praise are:

Apalgeo (g524) ap-alg-eh'-o; from 575 and algeo, (to smart); to grieve out, i.e. become apathetic: - be past feeling

Humneo (g5214) hoom-neh'-o; from 5215; to hymn, i.e. sing a religious ode; by impl. to celebrate (God) in song: - sing an hymn (praise unto).

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Mt.26:30

We know that they hymned a psalm. However, this was actually mourning and not doing "hip hop."

Again, here is the way to praise God

By him therefore 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

With Jesus' help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name. Heb 13:15LIV

This quotes from the NIV but the KJV reads:

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister (menial, deacon, slave) of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm (make stable) the promises made unto the fathers: Rom 15:8KJV

The "great commission" for Abraham who was justified by faith WHEN he obeyed God's commands and laws was to BE A BLESSING TO THE NATIONS. Because of their failure they went into Egypt. When they came out they rose up to PLAY which was perferted musical "worship."

Because there was NO MAN God sent His ARM to be the One and Only Intercessor and Mediator. Finally, when the true BRANCH sang to the Gentiles it would be to preach the gospel to them.

The promise of the Spirit (Gal 3) was made to Abraham and not to David. Abraham was told to be a servant to "the nations" but David made the nations slaves to Israel. Modern "music ministers" make the "audience" slaves to and worshipers of them: they are not servants of the flock!

And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Rom 15:9KJV

Christ ministers to the Gentiles when we speak the revealed Words of Christ. The Gentiles or the "converts" therefore go out speaking to others about God's power or even honoring God in their hearts: to think, to render God truthful:

Docazo (g1392) dox-ad'-zo; from 1391; to render (or esteem glorious (in a wide application): - (make) glorify (-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:20

Praise is not the act of speaking the Word of Christ or "singing." It a reaction:

Ainos (g136) ah'ee-nos; appar. a prim. word; prop. a story, but used in the sense of 1868; praise (of God): - praise. (from epi to distribute, to relate the story to others)

I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever. Psalm 45:17

Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.' Jer 33:9

The word "praise" is not remotely in 15:9. The word the NIV and Burdette wants to be self-abandonment much like David's praise of "making myself vile" is the Greek:

Ecomologeo (g1843) ex-om-ol-og-eh'-o; from 1537 and 3670; to acknowledge or (by impl. of assent) agree fully: - confess, profess, promise.

The word "sing" is "psallo." Therefore, the universal rule is confirmed: one sings to the name of Christ but only when we confess what Christ has done, teach it to others and make a covenant agreement to obey the WORDS OF CHRIST. You cannot do that with the erotic praise songs of a human, carnal theatrical performer.

Christ is Supposed to Do the Singing

People "standing in holy place" singing their own songs as "music" fulfill all of the Old Testament Types involving music or musical instruments: "We refuse to let Jesus do the speaking." This was the first musical sin of Satan in all ancient documents.

This chapter also has a verse 1-7. This is quite identical to the "singing" passages in Ephesians and Colossians. Because we know from history and Romans 14 that the people in Rome were highly devoted to rapturous worship with instruments, if they were going to form a Christian assembly they would have to leave their instruments at the door. But, here was a way to "worship" by seeking God through His Word.

"Church" is grieving for those who are not yet spiritual. When we teach the word we do it without cutting and pasting the Words of God. We grieve that we do anything which will "sow discord among brethren" or "offend one of these weak ones." After all, we are not in the business of forcing them like warriors to "bleed" when our "twanging" instruments do more harm than good. Rather, as a model of Christ the Teacher and Peace Maker we are on tippy toes that we do not get in the way of Christ as He stands in the Holy Place rather than the "team."

WE then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Rom 15:1

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. Rom 15:2

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. Rom 15: 3

The "Son" pleased the "Father" when He spoke only what He heard from the Father. We dishonor both Son and Father when we do pagan, erotic "praise rituals" as the legalistic panic of a lost people.

Jesus illustrated the acceptable method of Teaching:

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, Lu 4:17 (and he read it)

And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister (servant not the preacher), and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. Lu 4:20

And he began to say (Lego or systematic discourse) unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Lu 4:21

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Mt.13:2

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying (lego), Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Mt 13:3

This parable was a poetic story. Jesus never "sang" in the sense of "music" and Paul never "sang" in church. Therefore, his command was for education and not theatrical performance:

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:19

In Ephesians and Colossians the material is Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. If read in Hebrew much of the Old Testament is written in poetic form to make listening and memorizing much easier. Because The Spirit of Christ (1 Pet 1:11) inspired the OT writers, that inspired text plus whatever else they had received from preaching or letters was the only resource which could be used without repudiating the presence of Christ:

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Rom 15: 4

We might get emotionally or sexually stimulate and take up the hand clap (drum beat) but we are being stroked by the "worship master" and there is no patience shown in hand clapping. Nor does the theatrical performer with his/her own words offer any hope.

To compose erotic praise songs and then sexually stimulate others as they "stand in the holy place" they are claiming to be God.

Self-abandonment, an outburst of joy or to implicate Paul with being rapturous (from being raped) is sexual language: the Vineyard mother of the praise craze pushes the "climax" as the result of charismatic praise and so it is. They speak of making the spirit come, and the Greek pagans clearly meant it just as literally as the praise masters.

Women's singing was a vital part of all pagan worship. In very early times women became priestly singers of the gods in the temple.

"Women and girls from the different ranks of society were proud to enter the service of the gods as singers and musicians. The understanding of this service was universal: these singers constituted the 'harem of the gods'." (Quasten)

Praise masters clearly claim to have the power to "lead you into the presence of God" and the sexual outburst is proof. However, only Christ can be the Mediator when we allow Christ to speak to the Gentiles using whatever He as Spirit (1 Peter 1:11) has revealed in both the OT and Nt.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: Rom 15: 5

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15: 6

There is always expressed sowing of discord or silent rage when one or a team "presides over the flock" making "worship" work based 100% on their charismatic (sexual) power. There can be no "one mind" when we honor one above the other: we show partiality and James says that the whole Law will come crashing down on our heads.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Rom 15: 7

Receiving one another shows "glory" (not overt erotic praise) to God. We dishonor God when a "team" speaks their own words.

Again, Christ is the minister, confessor and singer to "the Gentiles" only when we speak the Words of Christ (Col. 3) which is His Spirit (Eph 5, John 6:63)

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God,

to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: Rom 15: 8
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written,

For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles,
and sing unto thy name. Rom 15: 9

Ecomologeo (g1843) ex-om-ol-og-eh'-o; from 1537 and 3670; to acknowledge or (by impl. of assent) agree fully: - confess, profess, promise.

To the church the Gentiles are the untaught. The only way to do evangelism is to honor the TRUTH confirmed by Christ so that Christ can continue speaking to the lost through evangelists, and the assembly can continue to teach through HIS WORD as the only way to worship "in spirit" or in the mind and "in truth" which is the "things written."

When an instrument is included it is named. We simply cannot get an instrument in this passage without some history of David's "music." He was king who killed Gentiles to the beat of musical instruments. Christ is the Spiritual King and commander who sheds His own blood for the Gentiles.

God is at least as smart as we. And when we tell the technician to replace the spark plugs we do not have to say: do not replace the tires, do not replace the lamp bulbs, do not paint over the new factory paint job. Only the Holy Spirt is some how not permitted to be specific. However, we can read the mind of the Holy Spirit and we just know that He would not be unhappy if we make music with the songs of Willie Nelson when He said "teach with the Words of Christ."

Lord Jesus Christ as "Son" did not take that liberty with the Words of the "Father." Therefore, when we do it again we are "standing in the holy place" and we bring spiritual desolation.

A "song" is metrical: it can be read, recited, chanted, sung, sung with a harp or sung with an orchestra. However, like "song" the word "psalm" does not automatically include any external form: david often meditated on the psalms "in his heart." When an instrument is intended, the instrument is named. When one was told to hymn or psalm they were not told to play an instrument. If they were told to "sing this song with your harp" they did not mean "sing this song with your drum."

Therefore, Strong puts the "could be" instrument in parenthesis. And note that as in all Greek (Psalmos is Greek) singing, the "first instrument of choice" was the human voice and what we think of as "music" was more related to "singing and dancing."

Psalmos (g5568) psal-mos'; from 5567; a set piece of music, i.e. a sacred ode

(accmpanied with the

voice,

harp or

other instrument; a "psalm");

collect. the book of the Psalms: - psalm. Comp. 5603.

When you "psallo" you can make an enemy's hair twang as you yank it out. You can "psallo" or abrade an enemy's head off. You can "grind the enemy into panic" or a "fine powder" by the screaming of trumpets and ten thousand warriors "twanging" their bowstrings like a "zither." The once-used word "sop" which Jesus fed to Judas is related to grinding something into small bits.

However, you cannot "psallo" without naming what is thwacked, twanged, plucked or psalloed. Knowing Greek, Paul named the spirit and voice as the "first instrument of choice" when you "psallo" a "psalmos." In the minds of most people, when you say:

Sing and accompany it with a harp,

it is understood that the harp is included and the banjo is excluded. If you didn't care, you would say "sing and play musical instruments."

It is well established that Psalmos includes the human voice as the "first instrument of choice." If a mechanical instrument is not named it is not included. And if it is not included by all of the rules of logic it is excluded. There are no instruments named in Psalm 18 although they would be used in literal warfare. But David was a poet and we have to remind you that "poems tend to be poetic." David was a bloody warrior and he may have believed, as this psalm claims, that God loved him because he was perfectly righteous. David The warrior musician is used as the worship hero for all modern instrumental "worship."

David as Carnal Type Shed the Blood OF the Gentiles With Carnal Weapons and Lifeless Instruments

All of Israel had been turned over to worship the starry hosts and David The warrior musician was chosen to lead the people into destruction after they "fired God." Therefore, David did not grasp the meaning of a Spirit God as revealed by Jesus. Beyond secular frolicing and pagan religions, before David music was the arena of prostitutes and hucksters trying to pick up a living by getting a message from God out of an old wineskin. The Witch of Endor used a crude "musical instrument."

David and the commanders of the army organized the warrior, Levitical panic instrumentalists (they didn't call it music) for the later temple which was organized "like the nation's" temples and would be the downfall of Israel and Judah.

The pagan "gods" were like men: they had passions, got mad and cursed you or were made happy and blessed you. The Egyptian gods loved the tears of lamentation, the Greek gods love to dance with the "worship team" the others loved the tambourines, drums and flutes. Apuleius considered any form of music unworthy of the highest God but was the worship "of the nations."

"Celsus said that it was well known that "music pertained only to the lowest gods, the demons,

and that the highest divine being had no need of melodies and sounds. And again, Philo claimed that:

One cannot truly offer thanks to God as the vast majority of men do, with external effects, consecrated gifts and sacrifices..., but rather with songs of praise and hymns -

not such as the audible voice sings,
but such as are raised and re-echoed by the invisible mind. (Philo, De Plantations 126 (II 148 Cohn-Wendland)

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23

Let the word of Christ (Spirit) dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col 3:16

The literalist view of Psalm 18 as authority for Instrumental music in a Praise ritual of SECULAR WAR David The Warrior musician USED:

I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. Psalm 18:38

Or: And I have consumed them, and wounded (smashed) them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. 2 Sam 22:39

Consumed is:

Kalah (h3615) kaw-law'; ... consume): - accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy utterly... take away, waste.

A close word is variously translated as sword, weapon or musical instrument.

Keliy (h3627) kel-ee'; from 3615;... vessel or weapon): - armour ([-bearee]), artillery, bag, carriage, instrument, jewel, psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, / whatsoever.

For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Psalm 18:39

Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. Psalm 18: 40 (2 Sam 22:41)

They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but he answered them not. Psalm 18: 41

Then did I beat them small as the dust (the background to literal melody in Greek) before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. Psalm 18: 42 (2 Sam 22:43)

Shachaq (h7833) shaw-khak'; a prim. root; to comminate (by trituration or attrition): - beat, wear.

When Israel "fired God" He told them that the secular king would draft their young men to go before the chariots--

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. (To split the air with sound of trumpets) 1S.8:12

David fulfilled this--

David, [secular KING] together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service: 1Chr.25:1

Service means to be or bring into bondage.

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness,

as they went out before the army,
and to say, Praise the Lord;
for his mercy endureth for ever. 2Chr 20:21

And when they began to sing and to praise,
the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah;

and they were smitten. 2Chr 20:22

For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir,

utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir,
every one helped to destroy another. 2Chr 20:23

All musical terms and instruments are closely related to weapons of warfare since "making a joyful noise before the Lord" was a way to bluff the enemy into panic. To SMITE is to get the enemy so confused that they go to war among themselves:

NAGAPH (H5062) naw-gaf'; a prim. root; to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease): - beat, dash, hurt, plague, slay, smite (down), strike, stumble, * surely, put to the worse.

Naga (h5060) naw-gah'; a prim. root; prop. to touch, i. e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphem., to lie with a woman); by impl. to reach (fig. to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.): - beat, (* be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.

Nagan (h5059) naw-gan'; a prim. root; prop. to thrum, i. e. beat a tune with the fingers; espec. to play on a stringed instrument; hence (gen.) to make music: - player on instruments, sing to the stringed instruments, melody, ministrel, play (-er, -ing..

Negiynah (h5058) neg-ee-naw'; or nÿgynath neg- ee- nath'; from 5059; prop. instrumental music; by impl. a stringed instrument; by extens. a poem set to music; spec. an epigram: - stringed instrument, musick, Neginoth [plur.], song

In the War Rules:

[The Rule of the Trumpets: the trumpets] of alarm for all their service for the [ . . . ] for their commissioned men, i7[by tens of thousands and thousands and hundreds and fifties] and tens. Upon the t[rumpets . . . ]

[ . . . ] )8[ . . . ] 19[ . . . which ] 20 [,, . they shall write . . . the trumpets of Col. 3 the battle formations, and the trumpets for assembling them when the gates of the war are opened so that the infantry might advance, the trumpets for the signal of the slain, the trumpets of 2 the ambush, the trumpets of pursuit when the enemy is defeated, and the trumpets of reassembly when the battle returns.

On the trumpets for the assembly of the congregation they shall write, "The called of God." 0n the trumpets for the assembly of the chiefs they shall write, "The princes of God." On the trumpets of the formations they shall write, "The rule of God." On the trumpets of the men of renown [they shall write], "The heads of the congregation's clans."

Albert Barnes, a Presbyterian recognized that music as worship can be spiritual despotism:

"with the aids of flying banners and the thrilling strains of instrumental music, if not too closely scanned, are well fitted 'plausibly to amuse' the worldy mind, to gratify the love for the picturesque,

and when the emotions thereby called forth are dignified with the names of piety and religion, to minister to the purposes of spiritual despotism. (Hislop, The Two Babylons, p. 174).

"What I am warning against is the other end of the spectrum, music that hurts, enrages and triggers fight or flight brain reactions, resulting in physiological changes that can be harmful. As Naomi Orr once stated, "Military drums play music designed to make your feet take you where your head never would-Music is almost as dangerous as gunpowder-". If we look at history, as far back as organized warfare can be seen, there has been attempts to enrage soldiers into battle by beating drums first slowly (consistent with heart beat) and then more quickly as troops enter battle. The sound of the drums is low frequency and is as high intensity as the instrument would allow at the time. FEELING THE MUSIC CAN BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH"© A Comprehensive Review by Bart P. Billings, Ph.D. From Music and the Drug High

Let's Do a Pause and look at how David's warfare is directly related to external melody as a weapon:

.

Here are two examples of Melody in the Hebrew: Israel at Mount Gerezim was continuing the worship of the starry host which was the "because of transgression" which caused God to give the Law of Moses. God turned them over to that worship which was built solidly upon the use of "melody" as a way to "prune your vine" or "take your inheritance." God told them: Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. Am 5:23 Psallo is related to the word: Proscho (h5597) pso'-kho; prol. from the same base as 5567; to triturate, i.e. (by anal.) to rub out (kernels from husks with the fingers or hand): - rub.   Psallo (g5567) psal'-lo; prob. strengthened from psao , (to rub or touch the surface; comp. 5597); to twitch or twang, i.e. to play on a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes): - make melody, sing (psalms)   Psomion (g5596) pso-mee'-on; dim. from a der. of the base of 5597; a crumb or morsel (as if rubbed off), i.e. a mouthful: - sop.   And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. John 13:27 Voice is: Hamown (h1995) haw-mone'; or hamon (Ezek. 5:7), haw-mone'; from 1993; a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth: - abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult Melody is: Zimrah (h2172) zim-raw'; from 2167; a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument: - melody, psalm.   Zamar (h2168) zaw-mar'; a prim. root [comp. 2167, 5568, 6785]; to trim (a vine): - prune. Another word has similar meaning: Chalal (h2490) khaw-lal'; a prim. root [comp. 2470]; prop. to bore, i. e. (by impl.) to wound, to dissolve; fig. to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an "opening wedge"); denom. (from 2485) to play (the flute): - begin (* men began), defile, * break, defile, * eat (as common things), * first, * gather the grape thereof, * take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.   H2470 is used interchangeably with h5059:   Nagan (h5059) naw-gan'; a prim. root; prop. to thrum, i. e. beat a tune with the fingers; espec. to play on a stringed instrument; hence (gen.) to make music: - player on instruments, sing to the stringed instruments, melody, ministrel, play (-er, -ing..   Naga (h5060) naw-gah'; a prim. root; prop. to touch, i. e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemism, to lie with a woman); by impl. to reach (fig. to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.): - beat, (* be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. Another example is of the king/queen of Tyre as the agent of Lucifer and who came equipped with musical instruments. This king/queen is parallel to the end-time Babylon/Tyrian harlot religion totally consumed with wounding people with music as a weapon. Note, too, that Judah was also parallel to King and is called Sodom, Egypt, Harag, Bondage: And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. Isa 23:15   Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. Isa 23:16   And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. Isa 23:17   Of course, Tyre said as they did at Mount Sinai that her "Hire" was dedicated to Jehovah for His use. These examples also show that if you intend to include an instrument to accompany the singing you MUST define it. Instruments are not inherent in psalm any more than they are in "song." Witness of the Classical Writers Psallo began as the "twanging" of a bow and string and the whizzing of an arrow. When you heart the "music" of a bow you looked down to see your dying body "beaten" down. From out collection on the Twanging Background to Literal, Externaly "Melody" P. Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses As wretched as my case doth seeme, yet have I left me mo Than thou for all thy happinesse canst of thine owne account. Even after all these corses yet I still doe thee surmount. Upon the ende of these same wordes the twanging of the string In letting of the Arrow flie was clearly heard: which thing   Made every one save Niobe afraide. Hir heart was so With sorrowe hardned, that she grew more bolde. Hir daughters tho Were standing all with mourning weede and hanging haire before Their brothers coffins. One of them in pulling from the sore An Arrow sticking in his heart, sank downe upon hir brother So, even modern science and warriors know that you can "make melody" in the heart of the enemy with literal musical instruments. You can so abrade them by literal "melody in the heart" that they will run like cowards. Again, look at the Carnal, David the warrior musician: Then did I beat them small as the dust (the background to literal melody in Greek) before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. Psalm 18: 42 (2 Sam 22:43)   Shachaq (h7833) shaw-khak'; a prim. root; to comminate (by trituration or attrition): - beat, wear. Beating the enemy into dust by "psalloing" in their hear with a twanging harp, is also related to the triumphs of victory first seen at Mount Sinai: Sachaq (h78323) saw-khak'; a prim. root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by impl. to play: - deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock (-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport.   "The triumphal hymn of Moses had unquestionably a religious character about it; but the employment of music in religious services, though idolatrous, is more distinctly marked in the festivities which attended the erection of the golden calf." (Smith's Bible Dictionary, Music, p. 589). Ephraim Syrus On Our Lord notes that Sinai was a test. 18. But when their heathenism from being inward became open, then Moses also from being hidden openly appeared; that he might openly punish those whose heathenism had revelled beneath the holy cloud which had overshadowed them. But God removed the Shepherd of the flock from it for forty days, that the flock might show that its trust was fixed upon the calf.   And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. Mark 1:13   While God was feeding the flock with all delights, it chose for itself as its Shepherd the calf, which was not able even to eat.   Moses who kept them in awe was removed from them, that the idolatry might cry aloud in their mouths,   which the restraint of Moses had kept down in their hearts. For they cried: Make us gods, to go before us. 19. But when Moses came down, he saw their heathenism revelling in the wide plain with drums and cymbals. Speedily, he put their madness to shame by means of the Levites and drawn swords. So likewise here, our Lord concealed His knowledge for a little when the sinful woman approached Him, that the Pharisee might form into shape his thought,   as his fathers had shaped the pernicious calf. This is the "rising up to play" with musical instruments at Mount Sinai. (cf. h6711). They were really making war with Jehovah with musical idolatry. And of Samson: And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars. Jud.16:25   Again, David was a warrior chosen by God to lead the Israelites already sentenced to destruction into captivity among the Babylonians.

Let's Continue with David the Warrior Musician with Bloody Hands

Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. Psalm 18: 43

As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. Psalm 18: 44

The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places Psalm 18: 45 .

The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Psalm 18: 46

It is God that avengeth (revenge) me, and subdueth the people under me. Psalm 18: 47

He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Psalm 18: 48

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen (flight of locusts), and sing praises unto thy name. Psalm 18: 49

Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. Psalm 18: 50

David was the type who was a warrior and betrayed by a Judas type with ample cause:

David was the literal man of war. They called him something like "old bloodyhands." David "made melody in the heart" with literal bows twanging to drive the enemy mad and if they did not turn and run you could "twang" him with an arrow in the heart. That is literaly "melody" in the heart.

Ahithopiel was misled by astrologic and other signs, which he interpreted as prophecies of his own kingship, when in reality they pointed to the royal destiny of his granddaughter Bath-sheba. Possessed by his erroneous belief, he cunningly urged Absalom to commit an unheard-of crime. Thus Absalom would profit nothing by his rebellion, for, though he accomplished his father's ruin, he would yet be held to account and condemned to death for his violation of family purity, and the way to the throne would be clear for Ahithophel, the great sage in Israel.

Again, look at David: I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. Psalm 18:38

Or: And I have consumed them, and wounded (smashed) them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. 2 Sam 22:39

Consumed is:

Kalah (h3615) kaw-law'; ... consume): - accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy utterly... take away, waste.

A close word is variously translated as sword, weapon or musical instrument.

Keliy (h3627) kel-ee'; from 3615;... vessel or weapon): - armour ([-bearee]), artillery, bag, carriage, instrument, jewel, psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, / whatsoever.

That chant (scatter words like tongues) to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; Am.6:5

Christ came as MINISTER and not as warrior.

His "sword" was the sword of the Spirit. His weapon was not carnal or a lifeless instrument, His weapon was truth.

AHITHOPHIEL COMMITTED SUICIDE BY HANGING HIMSELF-  "And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and went home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father."  2 Sam 17:23 

This is only part of the story though.  Psalm 41:9, has a greater depth than most folks realize. That highly significant passage not only Historically refers to Ahithophel, but Prophetically, it points to Judas Iscariot, the disciple, Apostle, and "follower" of Christ. Our minds only need to return to that night of the Last Supper, where the Lord was sharing the Passover with his disciples.

David the warrior could sing the triumph song over his enemies with his foot upon their neck, but Jesus could "sing" in the Greek sense of speaking Spirit words to them. Rather than defeat them to the sound of the trumpet, Christ bundled them up like a mother hen with her chickens.

There is of course one great colossal difference between the two scenarios. David had given Ahitophel plenty of reason for anger and bitterness. But of our Lord, it is written,  "...they hated me without a cause." John 15:25 

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 2 Sam 15:10

Of course, Jesus fed Judas the SOP which is related to grinding to bits and to Psallo which is a warfare word. Paul called musical instruments in Corinth "lifeless instruments." They have no life and therefore cannot praise God; they are carnal and cannot reach into the spirit. Therefore, Paul said:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 2 Cor 10:3

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 2 Cor 10: 4

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that

exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Cor 10: 5

R. L. Dabney wrote:

This species of worship could not lawfully exist except at one place; only one set of officials could celebrate it. It was representatively the nation's act.

It is to be noted that, when at last musical instruments were attached to those national acts of homage to Israel's political king, Jehovah,

it was not by the authority or intervention of the high priest, the religious head of the nation,

but by that of the political viceroy. David's horns, harps and organs were therefore the appointed instruments of the national acts of homage to Jehovah. (Note: under the king and the commanders of the army)

The church now is not a nation, but purely a spiritual kingdom, which is not of this world. Hence

there is no longer room in her worship for the horns, harps and organs,

any more than for swords and stonings in her government, or human kings and high priests in her institutions.

Those who compose their own sentimental songs and "stand in the holy place" to present them are "exalting themselves above the knowledge of God." They are reaping glory for themselves and are often not obeying Christ.

The Greek literal weapon--

hoplizo (g3695) hop-lid'-zo; from 3696; to equip (with weapons [mid. and figurative.]): - arm self.

Hoplon (g3696) hop'-lon; prob. from a prim. hepo , (to be busy about); an implement or utensil or tool (lit. or fig., espec. offensive for war): - armour, instrument, weapon

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 2 Cor 6:7

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 1 Cor 14:6

And even things without life (lifeless instrument) giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 1 Cor 14: 7

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 1 Cor 14: 8

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 1 Cor 14: 9

Again, look at the Hebrew parallel:

Keliy (h3627) kel-ee'; from 3615;... vessel or weapon): - armour ([-bearee]), artillery, bag, carriage, instrument, jewel, psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, / whatsoever.

That chant (scatter words like tongues) to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; Am.6:5

Fill up with the Spirit and not of wine. Arm yourself with the Sword of he Spirit:

FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind (Spirit): for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 1Pe.4:1

That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1Pe 4:2

Do not follow the wine-drinking or warfar music:

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 1Pe 4:3

Paul commanded that we "speak" and the secondary act is to "sing." Therefore, Peter said that when we speak we must speak as a "prophet" which demands a "thus saith the Lord."

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (utterance) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet 4:11

This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: Act 7:38

Science knows that music and especially instrumental music "makes war" by grinding the nerves into "spiritual anxiety created by religious ritual." Jesus died to silence the temple tyrants.

Science knows that music and especially instrumental music "makes war" by grinding the nerves into "spiritual anxiety created by religious ritual." Jesus died to silence the temple tyrants.

Christ as Anti-type Shed the Blood FOR the Gentiles And Wields the Sword of The Spirit

David as the type as king along with the commanders of the army reassigned the Levitical Panic instrumentalists to the new central government temple. These instrumentalists continued to be the slave drivers forcing even Israelites to build the temple.

An Italian writer notes about worship in spirit that:

"Sometimes religion produces suggestive rituals shared by a community to create an atmosphere useful for uplifting one's thoughts and coming to one's senses. There are those who cannot do without such forms of worship. Where, however, the form takes the place of meditation, or conditions it; where human words prevail over the Spirit.. then we are no longer in the presence of true religion.

"The one who uses colours and sounds and forms and movements and other gifts of God under the illusion of creating a stairway to heaven out of his own resources can, even involuntarily and in good faith, be raising an invisible barrier between humanity and God himself. (Davide Melodia, The Lord of Silence)

This passage from Psalms 18 as giving a spiritual or anti-type meaning is absolute proof that Christ did not come as military king and His apostles were servants and not "commanders of the army." Therefore, the spiritual king will not tolerate hostile people to "rule over" the people with Levitical instruments which were also called weapons.

Psalm 41 prophesied that Judas would try to triumph over Jesus because He was not a David-like warrior. Triumph means to blow the flutes and make a "joyful noise before the Lord."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see what everyone seems to understand: playing instruments and making a joyful noise before the Lord is not a compliment. These were anti-Christ warriors and they knew that music could alter the mind: they hoped that even God Incarnate could be sucked into the "children in the marketplace" rituals.

Isaiah 53 also prophesied of the musical attack of the people "piping" trying to pollute Jesus into the Dionysic song and dance:

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53: 3

Grief defines Messiah's singing a hymn or "grieving out a hymn."

Chalah (h2470) khaw-law'; a prim. root [comp. 2342, 2470, 2490]; prop. to be rubbed or worn; hence (fig.) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causat.) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering),... woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53: 4

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised (abraded to bits) for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Being "wounded" is the word for flute player, pollute, prostitute:

Chalal (h2490) khaw-lal'; a prim. root [comp. 2470]; prop. to bore, i. e. (by impl.) to wound, to dissolve; fig. to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), denom. (from 2485) to play (the flute):.. gather the grape thereof, * take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.

Judas and clergy would "blow an alarm" to panic or triumph over Jesus:

But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. Num 10:7

Ruwa (h7321) roo-ah'; a prim. root; to mar (espec. by breaking); fig. to split the ears (with sound), i. e. shout (for alarm or joy): - blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an alarm, triumph.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Nagas (h5065) naw-gas'; a prim. root; to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by impl. to tax, harass, tyrannize: - distress, driver, exact (-or), oppress (-or), * raiser of taxes, taskmaster.

Nagash (h5065) naw-gash'; a prim. root; to be or come (causat. bring) near (for any purpose); euphem. to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; relig. to worship; causat. to present; fig. to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back: - (make to)

Because Paul defines the instrumental Orphic Vegetarian influence and the Instrumental, wine-drinking and meat-eating Dionysics.

And because Paul has just explained the literal musical warrior David who triumphed over the Gentiles with his feet on their neck by using instrumental panic noise.

And because Paul defined "speaking" rather than "singing" in Ephesians and Colossians.

In Romans 15 Paul shows how diverse people can gather to listen to Jesus "sing" to the Gentiles as we speak the revealed Words of Christ one to another. The singing and melody is not "carnal weapons" but spiritual, in the heart warfare:

Absolutely no confusion: speak the Words of Christ by teaching and admonishing. No music in singing and internal melody.

The Lord's Supper in Corinth as Wrong Example

No Christian church ever assembled to "sing" as a ritual or act, or to jack up the carnal, sexual senses. All of the commands are to "teach" and the resource is "the Word of Christ." Singing and melody was a natural result of the Greek poetic language. The message is "reverence" when we come before the Lord. David tried to "awaken" his harp but God says:

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. Hab 2:19

But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him Hab 2:20

To show that the assembly was not to "make a joyful noise before the Lord" to control Him but to share in the agony and sorrow which Christ endured for us. After repudiating the "uncovered" prophesying of the women in non-sedentary roles, Paul begins speaking of the "church" or "assembly."

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 1 Cor 11:17

In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 1 Cor 11:17NIV

In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 1 Cor 11:18

No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 1 Cor 11:19

When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 1 Cor 11:20

for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 1 Cor 11:21

Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not! 1 Cor 11:22

Those practicing the "idolatry of talent" fall under this condemnation because they don't understand that Christian life is a participation in the suffering and death of Christ.

This is the "gospel" or the mind of Christ.

The Romans with an Orphic musical, vegetarian background and the musical Dionysic wine-drinkers and meat-eaters could assemble together. But first, they had to have the mind of Christ and speak His Words (Spirit) one to another in a non-judgmental way without bringing their musical traditionalism to church to dispute about and "sow discord among brethren." Another Psalm shows the New Testament message:

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name:

make known his deeds among the people (Gentiles). Psalm 105:1

 

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him:

talk ye of all his wondrous works. Psalm 105:2

 

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name,

declare his doings among the people, make mention

that his name is exalted. isaiah 12:4

Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things;

let this be known to all the world. Isaiah 12:5

We sing to God when we make His deeds known among the Gentiles. "Singing" with instruments is not praising God in a spiritual sense but we praise God when we tell others what He has done by using His Words which are Spirit and Life.

I am just afraid that the praise cult and identifying the work of the church as "worship" and worship as music is just a sick way to keep payday and not go into all the world with the gospel. There is no role for "located evangelists" who is just making a show to keep from going out into the hail of fire.

Praise is a spiritual sense of letting God "shine" rather than letting David the warrior or the praise cultist "shine" while "standing in the holy place proclaiming himself/herself the mediator between man and God."

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Psalm 105:3

Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Psalm 105:4

The word seek, give heed or give attendance to the reading of the Word was the only true worship word in the synagogue and it and the Lord's Supper is the way to worship in the church. Always, people worshiped by seeking God but they went to war with music:

Baqash (h1245) baw-kash'; a prim. root; to search out (by any method, spec. in worship or prayer); by impl. to strive after: - ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).

However, you translate Ephesiand 5, Paul leaves no room for confusion. The melody can be in the heart if you literally wine the "enemy" to Christ by speaking, teaching and admonishing them by the use of inspired Biblical material.

Just can't imagine old Paul bursting forth in rapturous language. And did he need that to capture the hearts of men and women. Seems to me that Paul was warning of the Dionysus worshipers among them who use lots of instrumental music and got drunk on wine before they could deliver their prophecy.

"'Renewal of Worship' is indeed a noble slogan, but the results that have accrued after two or three decades of serious study, suggestive adaptations, and revised liturgies have been meager. The outburst of energy associated with the Charismatic revival has not yet touched the majority of worshiping congregations." ( Ralph P. Martin, The Worship of God (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), pp. 1-25.)

"Our efforts in this article will be to assist in a fuller understanding of worship in the dance. German theologians Otto and Schram of Hamburd University in their excellent book, Festival and Joy, insight a vital need saying that "the joy, the jubilation, and the dance were the direct effects of the nearness of God. Yahweh was the immediate source of the joy, the dance, and the ecstasy." (Eckart, Otto and Tim Schramm, translated by James L. Blevins, Festival and Joy (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1980), pp. 65-666.)

"The Lord's name may be taken in vain more in church than anywhere else. Some seemingly stately public worship may mean no more to God than the clack of an Oriental prayer wheel. Catch clauses, clever clichés, or ill-timed shoutings of 'Hallelujah" may turn into the mindless mumblings of a Protestant rosary. The integrity of worship is diminished when we fail to pray and sing with full understanding." (Leslie B. Flynn, Worship; Together We Celebrate (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983), p. 197.)

Those who support such outburst also confess that it is an encounter with the body: not the spirit.

"Together with song and music goes the dance, which is a common way of expressing the encounter with the body. The dance is a spontaneous human expression of the sense of rapture (rape), At a higher religious level it develops into an expression of the joy at the encounter with the Holy One, an act for the glory of God (II Samuel 6:20 ff)). It behooves one to give such visible and boisterous expression of the joy before Yahweh." (Sigmund Mowinckel, translated by D. R. Ap-Thomas, The Psalms in Israel's Worship (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1962), p. 10)

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick (sumphoÑnia) and dancing (choåroås, ring dance). Luke 15:25

I don't know what their motive was but one doubts that they experienced an outburst of joy. When something "outbursts" you ought to look for holes in the experience.

Humneo (g5214) hoom-neh'-o; from 5215; to hymn, i.e. sing a religious ode; by impl. to celebrate (God) in song: - sing an hymn (praise unto).

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Mt.26:30

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Heb.2:12

In Ephesianns 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 the word is:

Humnos (g5215) hoom'-nos; appar. from a simpler (obsol.) form of hudeo , (to celebrate; prob. akin to 103; comp. ); a "hymn" or religious ode (one of the Psalms): - hymn

Here is what Paul was warning the Ephesians, Colossians and Romans about. This is the choral dance and lament the clergy tried to force Jesus into as they "piped."

In Dionysus worship three clergy "poets competed, each contributing three tragedies and one satyric play. The latter was performed by choruses of fifty singers in a circle, The effectiveness of the musical performance was enhanced with Asherah poles or errected columns. The goal was to "know their gods personally."

"dressed as satyrs, part human, part bestial, and bearing before them huge replicas of the erect penis, as they sang dithyrambs." - John M. Allegro, The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross.

"The backdrop to the central figures of Pentheus and dionysus is the chorus of The Bacchae, female devotees of the god. The word bakkhos (masculine) or bakkh (feminine) designates

someone who has been possessed by the god,
who literally has the god within.

(The word entheos, meaning "having the god [= theos] within," is the ultimate source of our word enthusiasm.) The feminine plural of this word, bakkhai, is Latinized as "bacchae," whence the name of the tragedy, Bacchae. The play is named after the chorus, that is,

the song-and-dance ensemble
who stand for the true followers of the god.

(They were the mediators now replaced with praise teams leading you into the presence of the gods.)

These women are Lydians and hence foreigners,

(Barbarians: they had their own ministeries)

"accompanying dionysus as he travels all the way from distant Lydia (they were Barbarians) to the center of Hellenism, Thebes (just up from Corinth). Their possession by the god is benign, unlike the possession of the women of Thebes, who are led by Agave, mother of Pentheus.

"The singing and dancing of the chorus of Bacchae, who stand for the Lydian women, ("music" involves both singing and dancing)

(I.e. they mediate for the rest of the untalented women)

is fundamentally an act of ritual, of worshipping the god.

This ritual of bacchic moderation is predicated on the myth of bacchic catastrophe. Such a balance of moderation and catastrophe brings to life the theatre of dionysus.

"One of the greatest of all Greek dramas, The Bacchae powerfully dramatizes the

conflict between the emotional (The Judas or performance)

and rational sides of the human psyche. (Trusting God's Word)

When the people of Thebes deny the existence of the god dionysus,

he punishes them by unleashing the full force of female sexuality,
thereby destroying social order and driving them to certain tragedy.

"The papacy also continued the practice of creating castratos (boys castrated before puberty to keep their singing voices high-pitched) for their own entertainment, long after it had fallen in disfavor throughout Italy."

See Euripides, The Bacchae

EPHESIANS 5:19-20NIV	COLOSSIANS 3:16-17
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.	Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,	with gratitude in your hearts to God.
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.	And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Part of the Post-Modern view of the Bible is that the apostles often got confused about things. Therefore, if we can decide that Paul made a mistake about women then we can violate his clear statement by discounting its inspiration.

Now, lo, we have Paul making a mistake to Colosse and correcting it to the Ephesians. Colossians also has Paul saying that whatever we do we must do it by the "authority" of Jesus. So, not only does Paul tell the Ephesians that they can "make music" externally but they don't have to observe the authority of Jesus.

The NIV is unique in this translation since there is no word for "music" in this passage and "melody" does not mean "music" but a series of single notes. Now, let's look at the KJV. The first thing Paul warns about and alludes to throughout his writings is the Dionysic "enraptured" or charismatic pagans. Wine and "uncovered prophesying" by the females was the way they got their word form their god.

EPHESIANS 5:18-20KJV	COLOSSIANS 3:16-17
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;	Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; (John 6:63 Words = Spirit)
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,	teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;	singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.	And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name (authority) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Well, the NIV doesn't help much with the added "music" word. The "music" is still in the heart and it is directed to God and not to the admiring audience.

The word drunk or filled with wine often shows up in the Greek world as "getting piped down with wine." This spoke of singing in the taverns.

Some used wine to assist in the euphoric experience, as Paul implied in Ephesians 5:18. Whether from literal intoxication or emotional exhilaration, when worshipers fell into a state of euphoria, it was as if they had been drugged. They assumed they were in contact with God. (MacArthur, John, Charismatic Chaos, p. 164. Zondervan)

Nietzsche once wrote, "For art to exist, for any sort of aesthetic activity to exist, a certain physiological precondition is indispensable: intoxication."

Dionysus was associated with the "personal delivery from the daily world through physical or spiritual intoxication," according to Encyclopedia Mythica.

First, rather than questioning Paul's ability to hold a thought long enough to write two letters, let's suppose that by making "melody" in the heart or mind he meant to sing "with grace" in our heart. One of the Apocryphal books reads of David.

In all that he did he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, with ascriptions of glory;

he sang praise with all his heart, and he loved his Maker. Ecclesiasticus 40: 8.

He placed singers before the altar, to make sweet melody with their voices. Ecclesiasticus 40: 9.

Using a "musical" term, the Psalmist noted of all "spiritual worship" even under the law:

I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Ps.77:3

I call (Mention, burn incense) to remembrance my song (h5058) in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Psalm 77:6

Baqash (h1245) baw-kash'; a prim. root; to search out (by any method, spececially in worship or prayer); by impl. to strive after: - ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).

This is what Jesus demanded:

God is a Spirit: and they that worship (prostrate self) him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

Or as the Psalmists says:

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. Ps.119:148

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Ps.63:6

Meditate is:

Siyach (h7878) see'-akh; a prim. root; to ponder, i. e. (by impl.) converse (with oneself, and hence aloud) or (trans.) utter: - commune, complain, declare, meditate, muse, pray, speak, talk (with).

Just as David "ground his heart to bits" we noted above that when Jesus sang (apalgeo) a song (humneo) he smarted, grieved out:

Apalgeo (g524) ap-alg-eh'-o; from 575 and algeo, (to smart); to grieve out, i.e. become apathetic: - be past feeling

Humneo (g5214) hoom-neh'-o; from 5215; to hymn, i.e. sing a religious ode; by impl. to celebrate (God) in song: - sing an hymn (praise unto).

Arnobius notes: For it is not he who is anxiously thinking of religious rites, and slays spotless victims , who gives piles of incense to be burned with fire,

not he must be thought to worship the deities,

or alone discharge the duties of religion.

True worship is in the heart,
and a belief worthy of the gods;

nor does it at all avail to bring blood and gore.

Arnobius also notes that "music" or sound was part of this sacrificial system. Therefore, he says in many ways: "it does not avail to bring mechanical instruments."

Next, there is a word for music but it isn't "psallo."

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. Luke 15:25

When you "hear" music and dancing the classics often identifies "music" as singing and dancing. And among the Greeks it didn't always mean "playing an instrument."

Sumphonia (g4858) soom-fo-nee'-ah; from 4859; unison of sound ("symphony"), i.e. a concert of instruments (harmonious note): - music. [all the same notes]

Sumphonis (g4859) soom'-fo-nos; from 4862 and 5456; sounding together (alike), i.e. (fig.) accordant (neut. as noun, agreement): - consent.

Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 1 Co.7:5

Not even the elementary harmony was more acceptable in the early church than instruments because the command is not to SING but to TEACH. You cannot teach the Word of Christ by having four different groups singing four different sets of words at four different times with four different tunes.

Plato Laws 812d

[812d] Athenian: So, to attain this object, both the lyre-master and his pupil must use the notes of the lyre, because of the distinctness of its strings, assigning to the notes of the song notes in tune with them;1 but as to divergence of sound and variety in the notes of the harp, when the strings sound the one tune and the composer of the melody another, or when there results a combination of low and high notes, of slow and quick time, of sharp and grave, and all sorts of rhythmical variations are adapted to the notes of the lyre.

812d,n1. i.e. the notes of the instrument must be in accord with those of the singer's voice. "The tune, as composed by the poet, is supposed to have comparatively few notes, to be in slowish time, and low down in the register; whereas the complicated variation, which he is condemning, has many notes, is in quick time, and high up in the register." (England.)

When the Greek (almost always children or prostitutes or very common slaves) sang and played an instrment, "music" did not mean "harmony" which the pro-instrumental people always confuse with "melody." A person would sing a note and play the identical note on a harp. The voice and instrument would therefore be "symphonious." If the harpist played chords or something else to "enhance" the voice of the singer it would be an insult. In the same way, the preacher would be insulted if the harpist accompanied each note of his sermon with a twang.

Speaking the Greek language was making melody:

The Britannica Members Online notes that: These musical fragments show that Greek music was predominantly vocal, although instrumental pieces were sometimes presented.

The music was homophonic; i.e., it consisted of single melodic lines. One of the most important compositions was the dithyramb, a poetic text set to music and sung by a chorus in honour of Dionysus.

Ancient Greek was a pitched language, so melody had to be an outgrowth of the natural inflections of the spoken language.

Greek vowels had long and short values that corresponded to long and short notes in the musical settings. Thus musical rhythms were derived from metric forms, and melodic movement was governed by the natural rise and fall of the text.

Ancient Greece appears never to have had a developed instrumental art. Percussion, brass, wind, and string instruments were all played,

but the two primary instruments were the aulos, a double-reed pipe that accompanied the chorus in the dithyramb, and the kithara, a hand-held lyre used to accompany solo songs.

The second use of music is of the Babylonian Harlot religion:

And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. Revelation 18:21

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman (artisan), of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; Rev 18:22

Mousikos (g3451) moo-sik-os'; from Mousa , (a Muse); "musical", i.e. (as noun) a minstrel: - musician

The "nine muses" were the source of music in the Greek world. Furthermore, to say musician was often to say "prostitute." A grinder was often a concubine.

This is consistent with the king/queen agent of Lucifer called "the harp-playing prostitute" and the king/queen of literal Babylon who rotted in Sheol on a bed of maggots along with his harpists and harps.

When people follow the pied piper of Lucifer always imaged as taking away God's Word by seducing people with "abandonging self" in musical praise, the ancient story often repeated is that they will never again be able to see the Word of God and the lampstand will be removed.

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Revelation 18:23

In many Old Testament passages, the use of instrumental music was to "take away the key to knowledge." Therefore, because of the music and commerce and dedicating it to God, He took away the light as He made the Old Testament Jews both blind and deaf.

The "instrument" of the witch of Endor was an empty wineskin. Being hard and hollow it became both a drum an an echo chamber or "mike and amplifier." She used ventriloquism and told the customer that the dead had a message for them.

The nebel or harp has the same meaning of an empty wineskin often made into instruments. And the sounding brass was the identical hi-tek model used in warfare to frighten the superstitious and fool the fools in a "worship" sense.

Israel's musical worship was evil becaus the leaders said "we don't want to hear your words" and it caused the people to hunger and thirst for the Word and to go into captivity and death:

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: Amos 8:9

And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day. Amos 8:10

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: Amos 8:11

And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. Amos 8:12

The famine has struck. Those who use the literal musical instruments of warfare intend to step on the necks of their enemies. The weapon of spiritual warfare is the Word of Christ or Spirit or Mind of Christ. Musical performance defeats the mind and tries to defeat the Words of Christ.

Part One of Dallass Burdette. Some notes from Grace Centered Magazine articles.

You are invited to comment but you should be specific.

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