Dale Ridge church of Christ

This is the third article in a series about what should be considered scriptural music when used to worship the Lord. I have already looked at the direct commandments related to singing. I have also shown Scripture related to the sinfulness of adding or removing from God’s word.

Many of those that would consider instrumental music authorized in the worship service go after the Greek word “psallo” and hang their hat on it as the authorization for instrumental music in worship. It only takes a little reasoning to wreck this argument. If playing an instrument is included in the command to “sing,” then there is no way to properly worship without each of us playing an instrument during this part of the worship service. I can’t seem to find any person of any denomination that would disagree with me here because it would be ludicrous to think we would each be required to bring an instrument to church.

So what is “psallo”? Using numerous sources for the definition, psallo can be reduced to the following:
1. To pluck the hair.
2. To twang a bowstring.
3. To twitch a carpenter’s line.
4. To touch the chords of a musical instrument.
5. To touch the chords of the human heart, that is, to celebrate with human praise or sing.

If all historical usages can be boiled down to these five, which is correct for Bible times? I say that clearly the meaning is to sing, as the melody is made by the human heart. (Ephesians 5:19) The first three items are definitely ruled out by context. Number 4 is ruled out by the reasoning that we would all then be required to play an instrument.

Scriptural Music in the Lord’s Church Pt.1
Scriptural Music in the Lord’s Church Pt.2

Published by Butch  Email This Post  Print This Post
Filed under: Butch Adams, Doctrine on March 9th, 2008