Bible Thoughts

March 24, 2002

One of the privileges granted to those who are Christians is the opportunity to sing praises unto God with other disciples. The disciples, after the Lord instituted the Supper, felt the joy that Jesus prompted in their hearts. It was most appropriate for them to sing the praises of God. It is most appropriate and scriptural for saints to do the same in our day. Everyone who is a disciple is given the opportunity to speak to others and with others through the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

Recent discussions have focused on whether a solo or a choir(chorus) is within the realm of scriptural authority and/or practice. This has led to a serious search in the New Testament to find whether such is approved by the Lord or not. This article will focus on what the New Testament reveals in regard to solos and choirs in the assembly of the saints.

The first passage to consider is Ephesians 5:19: "Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord." The "one to another" is accurately translated as "to yourselves"(a plurality). It is not saying one sings to all others or a group to all others, but includes all of the saints. Each sings from the "heart" but all are singing. In verse 18, he instructs to "be filled with the spirit." Is that one or all? the answer is obvious. Incidentally, the Lord is not concerned about the quality of one's voice, but the intentions of the heart!

Another passage that bears on this issue is Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God." Note the plurality of "hearts": not one heart to all others but all hearts are participating. Hence, Christians are not to be sung to in the assembly--they are all to be singing and listening at the same time.

Singing makes possible a participation in worship that is distinct in itself and brings those who participate(all) closer together as they lift up their voices in unison, praising the God of heaven, "teaching and admonishing one another." Such an activity aids in solidifying the unity of the local body as they join in singing the songs of Zion. All Christians have a right(and responsibility) to sing in the assembly: Do not deny any the opportunity to do what the Lord commanded.

I Corinthians 14:26 has been used in an attempt to justify the use of solos in the assembly: "What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue hath an interpretation." It is apparent in this passage that Paul is addressing the proper use of spiritual gifts. However, when "each one hath a psalm" is used as proof for solos, even while ignoring the nature of the passage, such cannot be established. A psalm is a poem. It can be quoted(Acts 13:33), studied(Luke 20:42), read(Acts 1:20), and sung (James 5:13). How it was used in this passage(I Corinthians 14:26) cannot be determined. In the light of all other passages, it was not a solo. The one who had the psalm could have led all the rest in singing the psalm. It would be entirely possible(and likely) that some truth is being revealed through the psalm. We do not know how it was used in this instance. The burden of proof that it was a solo lies in the hands of those who advocate such. The New Testament reveals nothing about the use of solos and choirs in the assembly of the Lord's people. The inevitable conclusion(and the infallibly safe way) is to reject solos and choirs. And...always remember, after the Supper, they sung.

The human voice is a marvelous creation of God. There is nothing that can replace what God made. Men have tried, on various occasions, to improve upon the worship by introducing what cannot be justified by the scriptures. The simplicity of God's order in all points seems to baffle those who seek something that is attractive to human desires and wishes. This occurred when the instrument was introduced into services over 100 years ago. They bolster their arguments by appealing to human authorities who define the word psalm in such a way as to include the instrument of music as well as solos and choirs. Such works include respected reference books, such as ISBE and Wycliffe. Under the Old Testament, they did use the instrument. A quick look at the New Testament reveals that only the human voices are to make music in the services of the Lord's church.

What was practiced under the Old Testament in regard to psalms is not authority in the New Testament. They did use various instruments of music in praising God(II Chronicles 7:6). They also offered animal sacrifices as they observed the Law of Moses. Circumcision of babies was part of the Law. Observance of the Sabbath Day was commanded. Some churches of Christ(who support human institutions, and, perhaps some who do not) need to heed these truths.

Over the years, it has been assumed(this writer included) that chanting was the manner in which the early disciples sung. I no longer accept such. Historical documents offer abundant proof that the singing was similar to the type of melodies that we have in our songs. Such singing was known in earlier times as well. Holman's Bible Dictionary points out: "Giving evidence of seven different heptatonic-diatonic scales, the musical system of ancient Mesopotamia shows one similar to the major scale known today." Shape notes as we know them did not exist in their days, but the ancient people could certainly change the pitch and the melody of what they sung. In the Old Testament, using instruments while singing(unless they only sung one note) would result in the type of singing we have today. In fact, the only time the word chant is used in the Bible is Amos 6:5 in the King James version. The New American Standard translates it as follows: "Who improvise to the sound of the harp, And like David have composed songs for themselves." While I am not a musician, it seems logical to accept that they used various notes, creating a melody.

Holman also points out: "A variety of hymns offering divine praise or designed to or for kings and temples, many with musical terms, have survived and are joined by actual discoveries of instruments at the ancient site of Ur, in Biblical tradition the ancestral home of Abraham"(Genesis 11:31). Interesting: to say the least.