What does the New Testament say about music?

Response

By the time of the New Testament, synagogues had become a common local institution. This led to a change in the usual worship experience, with a reduction in the use of professional temple musicians, resulting in a more simplified music style. Instead of a temple choir, services typically featured a single layman cantor. Following the destruction of the temple in AD 70, Jews refrained from using instruments in the synagogues. This practice served as a way to express mourning and to differentiate themselves from pagan worship customs.

In the New Testament, musical instruments are mentioned in the context of celebration, as seen in the passage: “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.” (Luke 15:25), and in times of mourning, as in: “And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise.” (Matthew 9:23). However, musical instruments were not commonly used for worship in the church or synagogue. The early church predominantly utilized singing for both praise and instruction.

Scriptural References

The New Testament specifically mentions a few instruments being played, such as flutes at Jairus’ daughter’s funeral: “And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise.” (Matthew 9:23), harps played by the 24 elders before God’s throne: “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” (Revelation 5:6), and by the tribulation saints: “And I saw as it were a sea of glass.”Mingled with fire: and those who had achieved victory over the beast, his image, his mark, and the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, holding the harps of God.” (Revelation 15:2), and the trumpets that announce certain end-time events, including the rapture “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Other mentions of musical instruments in the New Testament are either metaphors or descriptions of sounds. Metaphors include the futility of a harp, pipe, or trumpet that cannot be heard (1 Corinthians 14:7-8) and a comparison of John the Baptist’s asceticism with Jesus’ freedom to eat and drink “and saying, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament.'” (Matthew 11:17). Descriptions of musical sounds include a voice from heaven introducing the new song of the 144,000 “And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder, and the voice I heard was like harpists playing on their harps.” (Revelation 14:2). At the destruction of Babylon, the voices of harpists, musicians, pipers, and trumpeters will no longer be heard “And the sound of harpists, musicians, pipers, and trumpeters will not be heard in you anymore; no craftsman of any trade will be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone will not be heard in you anymore.” (Revelation 18:22). In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the older son hears music at the celebration for the younger son’s return “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.”, (Luke 15:25).

The trumpet deserves special mention. Several voices are compared to a trumpet, including God’s at Mt. Sinai “and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more.”, (Hebrews 12:19) and the voice that tells the apostle John to write what he sees (Revelation 1:10;Revelation 4:1). Even the literal sounding of a trumpet is a symbol for the announcement of an event. In one case, Jesus uses the term to admonish people not to announce when they give to the poor “Therefore when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”, (Matthew 6:2). The other uses herald events of the end times, whether the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:52;1 Thessalonians 4:16), Jesus’ second coming “And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”, (Matthew 24:31), or the seven trumpets of the tribulation judgment (Revelation 8:2, 6, 13; 9:14). It is uncertain whether these are actual trumpets or a different type of celestial announcement.

References to singing in the New Testament are typically literal. However, there are only two instances of people actually singing: Jesus and the disciples after the Last Supper “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”, (Matthew 26:30), and Paul and Silas in the Philippian prison “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.”, (Acts 16:25); Jesus possibly metaphorically sings in Hebrews 2:12. Other references mostly instruct to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13). Paul also metaphorically mentions the Gentiles singing praises to God “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.”, (Romans 15:9). In the future, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders “And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”, (Revelation 5:9), and the 144,000 (Revelation 14:3; Revelation 15:3) will sing.

Instruments

Harp: The kithara or cithara is translated as “harp” or “lu

Lyre: Kithara is the correct term for the lyre (1 Corinthians 14:7; Revelation 14:2; Revelation 18:22). A U-shaped bow supports a crosspiece; some lyres have a soundbox at the base. Strings run from the crosspiece to the base of the bow or box. In secular literature and art, the god Apollo is often depicted playing one. A kitharodon is an individual who plays a kithara.

Pipe: Aulos is occasionally translated as “flute,” but “pipe” is a more precise term (Matthew 11:17; 1 Corinthians 14:7; Revelation 18:22). The aulos resembles a modern oboe—it is double-reeded and played vertically (not horizontally like a flute). Auleton, or aulos-players, often played two pipes simultaneously.

Trumpet: Salpinx is translated as “trumpet” or “bugle.” It was a long, straight, metal tube with a bell at one end and a bone mouthpiece at the other. The name originates from the word meaning “reverberate.” It is more akin to a straight bugle than a trumpet, as it lacks valves. Some nations still utilize “heralds’ trumpets” to herald royalty.

Singing

Singing and songs are more frequently mentioned in the New Testament than instruments.

Songs: Generally, songs (Gr. ode) are sung by the four living creatures, the 24 elders, and the 144,000 in Revelation (Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3; Revelation 15:3).

Dirge: Jesus compares His ministry to John the Baptist’s by quoting lyrics from an unknown song in Matthew 11:17. Jesus’ ministry is likened to the sound of cheerful pipes while John’s is akin to a threneo—a “lament” or “dirge.”

Psalm: To psalleto is to sing psalmos or “songs of praise.” James encourages believers to sing psalms when feeling joyful «Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13). Paul instructs the churches to teach and encourage one another with psalms (Ephesians 5:19;Colossians 3:16) as long as the singing is thoughtful and orderly (1 Corinthians 14:15-16).

Hymn: Hymns (Gr. hymnos) are songs that offer praise, honor, or thanksgiving to God. Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn at the conclusion of the Last Supper “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30), and Paul and Silas sang while in the Philippian jail “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” (Acts 16:25). Hymns are mentioned along with psalms in Paul’s guidance to encourage other believers with music (Ephesians 5:19;Colossians 3:16).

Instruction

In the early days of the church, hymns served as a form of proto-creed. Churches utilized hymns to instruct and preserve theology. The New Testament documents six potential hymns:

Ephesians 2:14–16: An explanation that Jesus’ sacrifice brought Gentiles and Jews together into one church.

Philippians 2:6–11: A depiction of God the Son’s humility and kenosis when He assumed human form.

Colossians 1:15–20: A portrayal of God the Son as the ultimate authority and the One who reconciles believers.

1 Timothy 3:16: A summary of Jesus’ work that leads us to godliness.

Hebrews 1:3: A brief overview of God the Son’s relationship with God the Father.

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Revelation 3:18–22: A comparison of Jesus’ death and resurrection and the Christian’s water baptism.

Conclusion

Although musical instruments are not specifically mentioned as being played in a worship setting in the New Testament, neither are they forbidden. In fact, the absence of instruments is associated with great destruction «And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, 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; », (Revelation 18:22). Singing takes precedence in the New Testament as it is a convenient and effective way to teach and remember the truths related to Jesus’ coming, crucifixion, resurrection, and return. However, there’s nothing wrong with using instruments alongside singing.