Healing, Restoration, and Deliverance to God's People
In this issue we will be looking at structure.Finally, but not least in any wise, in order for people to obtain true healing, deliverance, and joy from music for God, that music must be written for and about the Lord Jesus Christ. According to Moultons Analytical Greek Lexicon, "making melody" (psallo in Greek) in Ephesians 5:19 is with the notion of singing along with a musical instrument.
Our singing and our playing music on instruments should be, according to God's Word, presented to and for the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singingand making melody (psallo) in your heart to the Lord.Colossians 3:23-24 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
The effects of music on people all over the world continue to be life changing. The structure of music, the rhythm, the melody, the chords, the tempo, and all the communicative contributions have the enormous potential to help change mind set from one moment to the next.
But in order to cast down every imagination that is against God, in order to receive the healing and deliverance that He has for His people, the child of God must always have one thing in the forefront of his mind—the Word, the Word, and nothing but the Word!
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, andacceptable, and perfect, will of God.Psalm 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Regarding music and the emotions, we must consider at the same time the wonderfulability and freedom God has given us to choose what we listen to, lovingly allowing us the privilege of controlling our own emotions.Let us consider how beautifully God chose to end the book of Psalms in His Word.
Psalm 150 is the fifth of five consecutive Hallelu-JAH (Praise the Lord) psalms.* Noteven one faculty of musical instrument is omitted in this psalm. All are enlisted for theuse of praising the one true God.**
Psalm 150:1-6 1Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.2Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet (shophar, in Hebrew): praise him with the psaltery and harp.4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs [pipes].5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.6Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
All the faculty and power of musical instruments is employed in this psalm, including the human voice. What is remarkable is what God chose to use as the introductory instrument. In the third verse, the trumpet is the first instrument listed. It is the Hebrew word shophar. This word means "bright" or "clear" and, according to Strong'sExhaustive Concordance of the Bible, comes from incising, or the act of cutting through.
If you have ever heard a trumpet call, you will have probably noticed that it is the loudest of instruments, overshadowing others; it is unmistakably clear and bright and brilliant. It is a clarion call.
In Old Testament times the shophar, or trumpet* was used for the most solemn of occasions. This tradition is still widely used today throughout the world. In the service of God, it was utilized to make solemn announcements.** Here in Psalm 150, it is used as the first instrument in introducing all other instruments for the purpose of praising God. It is making an obviously recognizable bright and clear clarion call to Gods people to praise and worship the one true God. As it did in Old Testament times, it is cutting through all and above all to summon everyone to the praise of God. There is no shamewhatsoever associated in the brilliant call of the trumpet, and in Psalm 150 it is a bold proclamation to make all men see and know that we are not ashamed to praise our God.
The following is a quote from David Dickson (1553-1662), a 15th century Scottishpreacher and minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, regarding Psalm 150.
"The plurality and variety of these instruments were fit to represent divers conditions of the spiritual man, and of the greatness of his joy to be found in God, and to teach what stirring up should be of the affections and powers of our soul, and of one another, unto Gods worship; what harmony should be among the worshippers of God, what melody each should make in himself, singing to God with grace in his heart, and to show the excellency of Gods praise, which no means nor instruments, nor any expression of the body joined thereunto, could sufficiently set forth in these exhortations topraise God with trumpet, psaltery, etc."(g)(SeeBibliography).
We have considered godly music as bringing healing, restoration, and deliverance toGod's people, and yet there is one more very important aspect to be presented. There isno physical instrument made, nor will ever be made, to take the place of the spirit of Godwithin each and every believer. To bring healing, restoration, and deliverance will take the clarion call of the voice of our lips, the clear spoken Word of God on the lips of those filled to overflowing with the spirit of God. This brilliant spoken Word of God will cut through the deepest and darkest wiles of our enemy, the devil, who, through the ages, has tried, and to some extent has succeeded, to destroy God's people.
Ephesians 6:10-17 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, againstspiritual wickedness in high places.13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. II Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Heralding out God's Word, the most solemn of all announcements, will nullify the devices of the devil, quenching his fiery darts, and pulverizing him to powder.* This sounding out** of the Word of God will bring healing, restoration, and deliverance to Gods people. Truly, walking in this exhortation, are we not perfect music to Gods ears, praising Him with the fruit of our lips and making melody in our hearts to the Lord? Filled with the spirit of God to overflowing, are we not together in perfect harmony and symphony His perfect "instruments" of praise and worship to God and His Son, Jesus Christ?
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, thatis, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.Jeremiah 17:14 and 15 14Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.15they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now. Psalm 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.*
*E. W. Bullinger's notes in the Companion Bible on Psalm 150.**See also I Chronicles 15:16- 28; 25:3. ÿ