Archives For Music

Should Christians Ever Howl in Worship?

February 14, 2022

Various forms of the word howl occur in 34 verses in Scripture:

Deut. 32:10  He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Isa. 13:6  Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isa. 14:31  Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.

Isa. 15:2  He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.

Isa. 15:3  In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.

Isa. 15:8  For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.

Isa. 16:7  Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.

Isa. 23:1  The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

Isa. 23:6  Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.

Isa. 23:14  Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.

Isa. 52:5  Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.

Isa. 65:14  Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

Jer. 4:8  For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

Jer. 25:34  Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.

Jer. 25:36  A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.

Jer. 47:2  Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

Jer. 48:20  Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,

Jer. 48:31  Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.

Jer. 48:39  They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.

Jer. 49:3  Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.

Jer. 51:8  Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

Ezek. 21:12  Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.

Ezek. 30:2  Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Howl ye, Woe worth the day!

Hos. 7:14  And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.

Joel 1:5  Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

Joel 1:11  Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.

Joel 1:13  Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.

Amos 8:3  And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence.

Mic. 1:8  Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.

Zeph. 1:10  And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.

Zeph. 1:11  Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

Zech. 11:2  Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.

Zech. 11:3  There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.

Jas. 5:1  Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

It is plain that the Spirit never uses the word to communicate any kind of positive emotional state; the word certainly never denotes in Scripture gladness or joyfulness.

Based on how the Spirit has used the word in Scripture, I conclude that any sort of howling in corporate worship would never be acceptable to God.

 

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

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Prophets, Music, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17

January 28, 2022

Scripture reveals that many prophets and prophetesses were vitally involved in various respects with the music of God’s people. Because every prophet was a supernaturally gifted servant of God who had the Spirit upon him, the musical contributions that they made demand our careful attention and appraisal.

Prophets Who Were Musicians Themselves

Scripture reveals that the following prophets were themselves musicians.

Moses

Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Exodus 32:17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. 18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.

Deuteronomy 31:30 And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.

Psalm 90:1 <A Prayer of Moses the man of God.> Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Miriam

Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Deborah

Judges 5:1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,

Unnamed

1 Samuel 10:5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

David

1 Samuel 16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

2 Samuel 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, 2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

1 Chronicles 25:4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth: 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king’s order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.

2 Chronicles 29:25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

2 Chronicles 29:30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

2 Chronicles 35:15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

Heman

1 Chronicles 15:19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

1 Chronicles 16:42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

1 Chronicles 25:4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth: 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king’s order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.

Asaph

1 Chronicles 15:19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

2 Chronicles 29:30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Jeduthun

1 Chronicles 16:42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

2 Chronicles 35:15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

Habakkuk

Habakkuk 3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.

Habakkuk 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Prophets Who May or May Not Have Been Musicians Themselves

Scripture reveals that God used at least two prophets to issue direct commands concerning the music of God’s people, but we do not know whether they were musicians themselves or not.

Gad

2 Chronicles 29:25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

Nathan

2 Chronicles 29:25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

How Does God Want Us to Profit from This Revelation?

Based on the teaching of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, how does God want us to profit from what He has revealed to us about the musical activities, responsibilities, or contributions of these prophets of His?

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Interpretation, Music, Theology
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Why Am I Writing a Book on Christian Music?

January 7, 2022

Why am I writing a book on Christian music? What could possibly be left to say that has not already been said?

Having had a vast exposure to most of what is already out there, I believe that there is a lot left to be said that has not already been said!

In my book, I treat a dozen passages from the Bible that I have not seen treated in any other book either at all or not in the manner that I treat them.

I also address several key perspectives biblically that have not been addressed elsewhere.

I also approach the entire subject with a different approach than any other book that I have seen does.

Finally, for me, it is a matter of stewardship of illumination of truth that I believe that God has given me to advance His kingdom and profit His people.

I would appreciate prayers for consistent Spirit-filled progress in writing this book and for a timely completion of it.

Thanks in advance to any who read this post and are led to pray with me about this endeavor.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Christian Books, Music
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An Analysis of Certain Terms in the Superscriptions of the Psalms

December 21, 2021

Of the 150 Psalms, 36 Psalms have 47 total occurrences of 18 different terms in their superscriptions:

Neginoth 4:1; 6:1; 54:1; 55:1; 67:1; 76:1 6
Nehiloth 5:1 1
Sheminith 6:1; 12:1 2
Shiggaion 7:1 1
Gittith 8:1; 81:1; 84:1 3
Muth-labben 9:1 1
Michtam 16:1; 56:1; 57:1; 58:1; 59:1; 60:1 6
Aijeleth Shahar 22:1 1
Maschil 32:1; 42:1; 44:1; 45:1; 52:1; 53:1; 54:1; 55:1; 74:1; 78:1; 88:1; 89:1; 142:1 13
Shoshannim 45:1; 69:1 2
Alamoth 46:1 1
Mahalath 53:1 1
Jonath-elem-rechokim 56:1 1
Al-taschith 57:1; 58:1; 59:1; 75:1 4
Shushan-eduth 60:1 1
Neginah 61:1 1
Shoshannim-Eduth 80:1 1
Mahalath Leannoth 88:1 1
47

Notes:

1. The terms are listed in the order that they first appear in the Psalms.

2. These terms occur in the following 36 Psalms: 4-9; 12; 16; 22; 32; 42; 44-46; 52-59; 60-61; 67; 69; 74-76; 78; 80-81; 84; 88-89; 142.

3. Book IV of the Psalms (90-106) does not have any occurrences of these terms.

4. Scripture itself does not provide the meanings of any of these terms in the Psalms themselves.

5. All but one of these terms (Shiggaion [7:1]) occur at least once in superscriptions that are directed to the Chief Musician, which indicates that the terms have some kind of musical significance. Occurrences of the terms that are not in a Psalm that is directed to the Chief Musician are noted in italics in the table.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

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The Importance of the “Hallelujah” Verses in the Old Testament

December 5, 2021

The plural Hebrew command (‎הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֙הּ [“praise ye the LORD”]) that has been transliterated as “Hallelujah” occurs 25 times in the OT, and all but one of these is in the Psalms:

Ps. 104:35  Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 105:45  That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 106:48  Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 111:1  Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

Ps. 112:1  Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Ps. 113:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

Ps. 113:9  He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 115:18  But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.1

Ps. 116:19  In the courts of the LORD’S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 117:2  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 135:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

Ps. 135:3  Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

Ps. 135:21  Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 146:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Ps. 146:10  The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 147:1  Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Ps. 147:20  He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 148:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

Ps. 148:14  He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 149:1  Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Ps. 149:9  To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Ps. 150:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Ps. 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Jer. 20:13  Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

On two other occasions, an equivalent expression is found that has the full form of the Hebrew word for “Lord” as its direct object instead of the shortened form “Jah” (‎הַֽלְל֣וּ אֶת־יְ֭הוָה [“praise the LORD”]):

Ps. 117:1  O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

Ps. 148:7  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

These 27 occurrences of the plural command to praise the Lord show just how profoundly God has stressed the importance of praising Him as the Lord!

1Even though the command has been rendered in this verse as “praise the LORD” instead of “praise ye the LORD,” the Hebrew is the same: ‎הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Biblical Hebrew, Music, Theology
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The Hallowing of God’s Name in the Psalms

November 22, 2021

Jesus taught us to pray foremost about the hallowing of God’s name: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matt. 6:9).

Unlike any other book of the Bible, Psalms teaches us in numerous ways about the hallowing of God’s Name. Every believer should feast on this glorious revelation from God!

Know/Remember/Trust in/Wait on/Love/Fear/Declare/Rejoice in/Glory in/Seek/Lift Up My Hands in/Call Upon

Know

Ps. 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Remember

Ps. 20:7  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Ps. 45:17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

Ps. 119:55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

Trust in

Ps. 33:21  For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

Wait on

Ps. 52:9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

Love

Ps. 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Ps. 69:36  The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

Ps. 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Fear

Ps. 61:5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Ps. 102:15  So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

Ps. 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Declare

Ps. 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Ps. 102:21  To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

Rejoice in

Ps. 89:12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

Ps. 89:16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

Glory in

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

Seek

Ps. 83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

Lift Up My Hands in

Ps. 63:4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Call on

Ps. 79:6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

Ps. 80:18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

Ps. 99:6  Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

Ps. 105:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Ps. 116:4  Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Ps. 116:13  I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Ps. 116:17  I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

 

Give Glory to/Exalt/Glorify

Ps. 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

(Ps. 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.)

Ps. 96:8  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Ps. 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.

 

Ps. 34:3  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

 

Ps. 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

Ps. 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

 

Give Thanks to

Ps. 106:47  Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.

Ps. 122:4  Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

Ps. 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

 

Bless

Ps. 96:2  Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Ps. 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

(Ps. 113:2  Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.)

Ps. 145:1 <David’s Psalm of praise.> I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Ps. 145:21  My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

 

Praise

Ps. 44:8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

(Ps. 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.)

Ps. 54:6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.

Ps. 69:30  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Ps. 74:21 O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

Ps. 113:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

Ps. 135:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

Ps. 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Ps. 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Ps. 145:2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Ps. 148:5  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

Ps. 148:13  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Ps. 149:3  Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

 

Sing to/Sing Praise to/Sing Forth the Honor of

Ps. 7:17  I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Ps. 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Ps. 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Ps. 61:8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

Ps. 66:2  Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

Ps. 66:4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

Ps. 68:4  Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

(Ps. 69:30  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.)

Ps. 92:1 <A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day.> It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

Ps. 135:3  Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

I expect to be adding to this list and revising it from time to time as I continue to study the Psalms, Lord willing.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

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Praise for Answered Prayers concerning the Worship Music Debates!

November 13, 2021

I have spent many years online discussing and debating issues with supporters of contemporary worship concerning what music Christians should and should not use in worship. I have had these discussions and debates on two Christian discussion forums, on Facebook, on my blog, and through email. Many of these interactions have involved daily conversations for extended periods.

Over the past 10 years or so, there have been quite a few occasions on which I have encountered notions from some supporters of contemporary worship that I knew to be false, but I did not know then how to answer them fully and specifically with Scripture. Through specifically praying and studying, God has granted me illumination of Scripture from more than nine key passages that specifically and decisively have answered these false notions!

In my praying to God about these matters, I have used several passages as the models for how I have prayed. I have not kept track, but I would not be surprised to learn that I have probably prayed along the lines of the following passages and sample prayers (some of these are not verbatim but only representative) many hundreds of times over the years:

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 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

Heavenly Father, please grant me specific and clear insight into Thy Word that I would be mighty through Thee to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God in all my hearers, and please bring their every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? . . . 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart.

Gracious God, please give to me a wise and understanding heart that I may discern between the good and the bad.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Heavenly Father, I lack wisdom to know how to answer this wrong teaching. You have said that if any man lacks wisdom, he must ask of You Who gives liberally to all men and does not upbraid; and it will be given him. Do as You have said and grant me the wisdom that I need to answer this wrong teaching.

Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Father, please grant that I would not answer these people according to their folly, lest I would become like them and please grant that I would answer them according to their folly so that they would not be wise in their own conceits.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Holy Spirit, please fill me now and grant me all manner of skillfulness in every skillful aspect of answering these supporters of contemporary worship music so that I would be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince these gainsayers.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Lord, as I carefully consider what Thou hast said in this passage, please grant me understanding in all things that Thou hast said in Thy Word.

Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

O God, I know and believe that the answers to every important question about what music is acceptable to Thee in worship are in Thy Word. Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy Law.

I praise, extol, and thank our Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit for answering my prayers richly and specifically for illumination and wisdom about these matters repeatedly over the years! To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In CCM, Music, Prayer, Testimony
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Reflections on Studying Four Subjects For Ten or More Years Each

October 15, 2021

In God’s providence, He has directed me to spend a decade or more studying each of four different subjects. These subjects have been quite diverse.

Stewardship of the Physical Body

Prior to becoming a Christian, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Fitness Instruction and a master’s degree in Human Performance. After I was saved, God used that background to open up a graduate assistant position while I worked on a Masters in Bible.

After finishing that degree, He led me to serve on full-time staff for many years in helping believers be good stewards of their physical bodies.

During those years of coursework and ministry, I studied intensely everything that the Bible teaches about health, exercise, nutrition, and stewardship of the body. God gave me numerous opportunities over that time to speak to believers on these subjects.

Evangelism and Discipleship

Soon after I was saved, I became very active in evangelistic ministries successively in the two local churches that I have been a member of during my lifetime as a believer. All through those years, I studied intensely all that Scripture reveals about evangelism and discipleship ministries.

God gave me many opportunities to preach and teach on these subjects for a number of years, but it has been quite some time since I have had such opportunities. It’s puzzling to me that I have not had more opportunities to edify God’s people in this area.

Christ as God’s Judicial Agent

After having served for many years in ministering to believers about stewardship of their bodies and about evangelism and discipleship, God dramatically redirected me to return for seminary work in a doctoral program. During those very hard years of working on that degree, God directed me to study with a passion everything that He has revealed in Scripture about Christ as His judicial agent.

During the years of working on that degree and for about a year afterwards, God gave me many opportunities to preach and teach on passages concerning the topic of my dissertation. Remarkably, however, I have had very few opportunities to do so in the past decade.

Acceptable Music for Corporate Worship

For at least the last decade, God has dramatically shifted the focus of my studies and ministry opportunities to an exhaustive study of everything in the Bible about music and worship. He has directed me to immerse myself profoundly in the book of Psalms during these years, beginning in 2012.

God has led me to write numerous articles about what Scripture reveals about music and worship and has given me several opportunities to speak multiple times on these subjects in a few churches. I am also writing a book about what God has given me in this area of study over this past decade.

Conclusion

Reflecting on how God has directed me during my Christian lifetime, I find it striking that God has led me to so intensively study these four different subjects during that time. Seeing how God has dramatically changed the focus of my studies and ministries more than once in my life makes me wonder what God may have in store for me in whatever years He has left for me to serve Him in this life.

God has been faithful in all these things in spite of much unfaithfulness on my part throughout these years. To God be the glory for all that He has done for and through me!

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Discipleship, Evangelism, Health, Ministry, Music, Preaching, Testimony
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The Profound Musical Importance of the Hebrew Verb “Halal”

September 30, 2021

Two passages in the OT teach us a profound truth about the musical importance of the Hebrew verb halal.

First, 2 Chronicles 29:30 reveals to us that a key command given by Hezekiah and the princes to the Levites to minister musically used that verb to communicate what they were to do musically. Moreover, that same verse also reveals that the same verb was used to signify what the Levites did musically in obeying that command:

2 Chronicles 29:30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

‎WTT 2 Chronicles 29:30

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְהַשָּׂרִים֙ לַלְוִיִּ֔ם

לְהַלֵּל֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה

בְּדִבְרֵ֥י דָוִ֖יד וְאָסָ֣ף הַחֹזֶ֑ה

וַֽיְהַלְלוּ֙ עַד־לְשִׂמְחָ֔ה וַֽיִּקְּד֖וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃ פ

(2 Chr. 29:30 WTT)

The Hebrew text here thus teaches us that the verb halal is used twice in this verse to signify the singing of praises to God!

Second, the Hebrew text of Psalm 147:1 profoundly confirms this understanding by revealing that the command that has been widely transliterated as “Hallelujah” signified here the singing of praises to the Lord and not just speaking praise to Him:

Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

WTT Psalm 147:1 הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֙הּ׀ כִּי־ט֭וֹב זַמְּרָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ כִּֽי־נָ֜עִים נָאוָ֥ה תְהִלָּֽה׃

In this verse, the command Hallelujah is directly explained as singing praise to Him by the use of the verb zamar (Heb. “to sing praise”) to signify what was good to do in obeying that command!

These passages thus teach us the profound musical importance of the Hebrew verb halal!

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Music
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55 Perfect Songs for Adult Church Choirs!

August 18, 2021

In His perfect wisdom, God has provided us with 150 perfect songs in His inspired hymnal, the book of Psalms. Of those 150 perfect songs, God teaches us that 55 of them are eminently suited for church choirs because the Psalm either begins with the words “To the chief Musician” (54x) or has those words later in the first verse (1x):

Ps. 4:1  <To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.> Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Ps. 5:1  <To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.> Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

Ps. 6:1  <To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.> O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Ps. 8:1  <To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.> O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Ps. 9:1  <To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David.> I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Ps. 11:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

Ps. 12:1  <To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.> Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Ps. 13:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

Ps. 14:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Ps. 18:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,> I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Ps. 19:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Ps. 20:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

Ps. 21:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Ps. 22:1  <To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.> My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Ps. 31:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Ps. 36:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.> The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Ps. 39:1  <To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.> I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Ps. 40:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Ps. 41:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

Ps. 42:1  <To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.> As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Ps. 44:1  <To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.> We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

Ps. 45:1  <To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.> My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Ps. 46:1  <To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Ps. 47:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.> O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Ps. 49:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.> Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

Ps. 51:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.> Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Ps. 52:1  <To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.> Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

Ps. 53:1  <To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David.> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Ps. 54:1  <To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?> Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

Ps. 55:1  <To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.> Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

Ps. 56:1  <To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.> Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

Ps. 57:1  <To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.> Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

Ps. 58:1  <To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David.> Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

Ps. 59:1  <To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.> Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

Ps. 60:1  <To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.> O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

Ps. 61:1  <To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.> Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

Ps. 62:1  <To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.> Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

Ps. 64:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Ps. 65:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David.> Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.

Ps. 66:1  <To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.> Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

Ps. 67:1  <To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.> God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

Ps. 68:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David.> Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

Ps. 69:1  <To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David.> Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

Ps. 70:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.> Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.

Ps. 75:1  <To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.> Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

Ps. 76:1  <To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.> In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.

Ps. 77:1  <To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.> I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

Ps. 80:1  <To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph.> Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

Ps. 81:1  <To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph.> Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Ps. 84:1  <To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.> How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

Ps. 85:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.> LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Ps. 88:1  <A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.> O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

Ps. 109:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;

Ps. 139:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Ps. 140:1  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

Because God has directed these 55 songs explicitly to the chief musician, we understand that they have direct, vital application to the choir directors of every adult church choir because it is only fitting that the chief musician in a church would be leading the adult choir of a church.

Because all 55 of these Psalms are divinely inspired songs, they are therefore 55 perfect songs that every adult church choir should learn to sing and should minister regularly to God in the corporate worship of every church!

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Exhortation, Interpretation, Music
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