THE PURITY OF MUSIC
BY NG WAH LOK
One specific requirement was that musicians entered into an oath of holiness (Neh
10:28-39)
Neh 10:29 “ They joined with their brethren, their nobles and entered into a curse and
an oath to walk in God’s Law which were given by Moses, the servant of God, and to
observe and do all the commandments of the Lord and His ordinance and His statutes”
Neh 12:30 “ Then the priest and Levites (musicians and singers) purified themselves,
and purified the people, the gates and the wall”
The following are Biblical examples of impure music:1. Origin of music in Genesis came from an ungodly line
(Gen 4:16-22)
Gen 14:21 “ His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who played
the harp and the flute”
Jubal came from the lineage of Cain. Cain had to go out of the presence of God after he
murdered his brother Abel. The first music ever created in the world was developed
outside the presence of God.
2. Lucifer’s music was corrupted after his fall ( Eze 28:1-19)
Lucifer was beautifully created as a covering cherub to cover God’s throne with
worship. Since his fall, all his music has been corrupted.
Before his fall
Eze 28:13b,14a,15a “ The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for
you in the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I
established you………You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created”.
After his fall
V16 – You became filled with violence within and you sinned
V16 – I cast you as a profane thing.
V16 – And I destroyed you, O covering cherub.
V17 – You corrupted your wisdom.
V17 – I cast you to the ground.
Today, the world is filled with impure music. Christians need to be very discerning
about secular music.
2001 Ng Wah Lok
E mail : ngwl@pc.jaring.my
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3. David’s music was impure when he tried to bring back the ark using the
wrong method and having the wrong motives (1 Chron 13:1-14)
V1 – David consulted with the captains of thousands and did not consult with God
V2 – David did what “seems good with the people” and not what was right in God’s
eyes (for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people –v4)
V7 – David used the wrong method to carry the ark instead of using God’s approved
method (on a cart instead of on the shoulders of Levites)
Often times, we use all the ungodly methods of the world and incorporate it into our
worship and expect God to accept it. We become very performance driven. God does
not want performance but desires worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24)
God judged David’s music by bringing death to Uzza.
1 Chron 13:8-9 “ Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their
might, with singing on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and
with trumpets. And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand
to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against
Uzza and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before
God”
V11 – “ David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak”. He blames God.
V12- “ David was afraid of God that day”. We need to fear God before we can really
worship Him in spirit and in truth.
4. Israels music during the reign of Uzziah and Jeroboam was impure as
recorded in Amos
There are several key verses in the book of Amos which showed that God out rightly
rejected the worship in His temple because of the people’s sin.
Amos 5:23,24 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the
melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, And
righteousness like a mighty stream”.
Amos 6:3a,5 “ Woe to you who put far off that day of doom……….. who chant to the
sound of stringed instruments, And invent for yourselves musical instruments like
David…..”
Amos 8:2b,3 “ I will not pass by them anymore, And the songs of the temple shall be
wailing in that day, says the Lord God – Many dead bodies everywhere, they shall
throw them out in silence”.
2001 Ng Wah Lok
E mail : ngwl@pc.jaring.my
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However, the book of Amos also records for us that God will one day restore worship
back in His people. Since the 1500, worship has been restored back in God’s house in
every major revival. God is restoring the tabernacle of David which has fallen.
Amos 9:11 “ On that day, I will raise up the tabernacle of David which has fallen
down, And repair it damages; I will raise up it ruins, and rebuild it as the days of old,
That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My
name, says the Lord who does this things”.
In this prophecy, it is clearly mentioned that the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David
shall include the Gentiles. This concept of including Gentiles in worship was never
accepted by the Jews. But God destined it that way.
Today, there is vibrant worship in a primarily Gentile church.
Conclusion
Knowing the dangers of impure music and their sources and inspiration, Christians
musicians must strive to keep their lives and music pure at all times.
John 4:23-24 “ But the hour is coming , and now is when true worshippers will
worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”
2001 Ng Wah Lok
E mail : ngwl@pc.jaring.my
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