psallō and the piano. churches of christ stand out in the religious world for using a cappella...

Psallō and the Piano

Psallōandthe

Piano


CHURCHES OF CHRIST STAND OUT IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD FOR USING A CAPPELLA MUSIC.


“WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH THE INSTRUMENT?”


♪ Instrumental music in the church’s worship has been a serious subject of study for me.


♪ Instrumental music in the church’s worship has been a serious subject of study for me.

♪ Tonight, we wish to look at a so-called “proof” for instrumental music in worship—the use of the Greek term ψάλλω/psallō.


THE USAGE OF ψάλλω


♪ The Greek term occurs five times in the New Testament.


♪ The Greek term occurs five times in the New Testament.♫ “I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing (ψάλλω) to

your name” (Rom 15:9, ESV).



your name” (Rom 15:9, ESV).♫ “I will sing praise (ψάλλω) with my spirit, but I will sing

(ψάλλω) with my mind also” (1 Cor 14:15, ESV).




(ψάλλω) with my mind also” (1 Cor 14:15, ESV).♫ “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be

filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody (ψάλλω) to the Lord with your heart” (Eph 5:18-19, ESV).




(ψάλλω) with my mind also” (1 Cor 14:15, ESV).♫ “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be

filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody (ψάλλω) to the Lord with your heart” (Eph 5:18-19, ESV).

♫ “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise (ψάλλω)” (Js 5:13, ESV).


♪ In classical Greek, the term ψάλλω referred to the touching of a string.


♪ In classical Greek, the term ψάλλω referred to the touching of a string. ♫ Aeschylus (525-456 BC), the well-known Greek playwright,

used ψάλλω for the plucking of a hair.



used ψάλλω for the plucking of a hair.♫ Euripides (480-460 BC) used the term to mean the

“twanging” of a bowstring.




“twanging” of a bowstring.♫ ψάλλω was also used to reference the “twitching” of a

carpenter’s line so that it would leave a mark.





carpenter’s line so that it would leave a mark.♫ Plutarch did use the term to refer to the “plucking” on the

strings of an instrument.





carpenter’s line so that it would leave a mark.♫ Plutarch did use the term to refer to the “plucking” on the

strings of an instrument. In fact, the term came to refer to the touching of the strings with the fingers rather than using a pick.


♪ Therefore, one of the main arguments proponents of instrumental music have used is the appearance of ψάλλω in the New Testament.


♪ Therefore, one of the main arguments proponents of instrumental music have used is the appearance of ψάλλω in the New Testament.♫ Since both Paul & James use ψάλλω, the proponents of

instrumental music affirm that instrumental music is acceptable to God.


♪ Therefore, one of the main arguments proponents of instrumental music have used is the appearance of ψάλλω in the New Testament.♫ Since both Paul & James use ψάλλω, the proponents of

instrumental music affirm that instrumental music is acceptable to God.

♫ But, just how valid is that argument?


FALLACIES OF THE ARGUMENT


FALLACIES OF THE ARGUMENTThis argument has numerous fallacies.


♪ Fallacy one: If ψάλλω means to play a stringed instrument in the New Testament, instrumental music is required.


♪ Fallacy one: If ψάλλω means to play a stringed instrument in the New Testament, instrumental music is required.♫ James uses the word to refer to the reaction of the cheerful.



If I’m cheerful, I can’t sing unless I use an instrument.



If I’m cheerful, I can’t sing unless I use an instrument.♫ What would a congregation do if they couldn’t find

someone who could play an instrument??


♪ Most who use instrumental music affirm that ψάλλω only allows instrumental music, not that the word requires it.


♪ Most who use instrumental music affirm that ψάλλω only allows instrumental music, not that the word requires it.♫ “Psalmos (or its cognate verb psallo) is used to mean

instrumental music, or a song played to musical accompaniment in the Greek Old Testament. . . . For this reason and others we believe that Paul’s use of the term psalm shows that God approves the use of instrumental music in our teaching and admonishing. However, they do not establish that such music must be used at all times.”


BUT, IF ψάλλω MEANS TO “PLAY,” HOW CAN THE INSTRUMENT BE OPTIONAL?


♪ Fallacy two: If ψάλλω means “to play,” we each must play an instrument.


♪ Fallacy two: If ψάλλω means “to play,” we each must play an instrument. ♫ We are to be “addressing one another in psalms and hymns

and spiritual songs, singing and making melody (ψάλλω) to the Lord with your heart” (Eph 5:19, ESV).




♫ The term is PLURAL in Greek.




♫ The term is PLURAL in Greek.♪ We would each be required to play an instrument.




♫ The term is PLURAL in Greek.♪ We would each be required to play an instrument.♪ God would be making me worship based on my talent.


♪ God requires me to do nothing that I cannot do.


♪ God requires me to do nothing that I cannot do.♫ In the Parable of the Talents, we read that the master gave

“to each according to his ability” (Mt 25:15, ESV).


♪ God requires me to do nothing that I cannot do.♫ In the Parable of the Talents, we read that the master gave

“to each according to his ability” (Mt 25:15, ESV).♫ But, if God is requiring that I use a stringed instrument in

worship, he is requiring something far beyond my ability.


♪ Fallacy three: If ψάλλω means to play a stringed instrument, we can only use stringed instruments in our worship.


♪ Fallacy three: If ψάλλω means to play a stringed instrument, we can only use stringed instruments in our worship.♫ I couldn’t use a wind instrument or a drum, etc.


♪ Fallacy three: If ψάλλω means to play a stringed instrument, we can only use stringed instruments in our worship.♫ I couldn’t use a wind instrument or a drum, etc.♫ Even the piano would be out!



♪ I know that the piano has strings inside of it.



♪ I know that the piano has strings inside of it.♪ But, I’m hitting keys that move hammers that touch the

strings.


♪ Fallacy three: If ψάλλω means to play a stringed instrument, we can only use stringed instruments in our worship.♫ I couldn’t use a wind instrument or a drum, etc.♫ Even the piano would be out!♫ Ψάλλω means to “touch the strings with the fingers.”



♪ I would literally need to touch the strings of the instrument.



♪ I would literally need to touch the strings of the instrument.♪ If I used a guitar, I would need to touch the strings & not use

a pick!


♪ Fallacy four: The meanings of words change.


♪ Fallacy four: The meanings of words change.♫ F. F. Bruce, well-known evangelical Greek scholar: “Words

are not static things. They change their meaning with the passage of time.”


♪ Fallacy four: The meanings of words change.♫ F. F. Bruce, well-known evangelical Greek scholar: “Words

are not static things. They change their meaning with the passage of time.”

♫ We all know that words change meaning.


♪ The term ψάλλω drastically changed its meaning over the course of time.


♪ The term ψάλλω drastically changed its meaning over the course of time.♫ E. A. Sophocles’ Greek Lexicon of the Roman and

Byzantine Periods (From B.C. 146 to A.D. 1100) defines ψάλλω as “chant, sing religious hymns.”


♪ The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, had a major bearing on how the New Testament uses ψάλλω.


♪ The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, had a major bearing on how the New Testament uses ψάλλω.♫ At times, ψάλλω clearly means to play a stringed

instrument.



instrument.♪ “Whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David

took the lyre and played it with his hand” (1 Sm 16:23, ESV).



instrument.♪ “Whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David

took the lyre and played it with his hand” (1 Sm 16:23, ESV).♪ “Then a harmful spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, as he

sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre” (1 Sm 19:9, ESV).



instrument.♪ 1 Sm 16:23 & 1 Sm 19:9.♪ In both these texts, the author mentions the instrument in the

context!


♪ At other places in the Septuagint, ψάλλω clearly means vocal music.


♪ At other places in the Septuagint, ψάλλω clearly means vocal music.♫ “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises (ψάλλω) to

you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long” (Ps 71:23-24, ESV).


♪ At other places in the Septuagint, ψάλλω clearly means vocal music.♫ “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises (ψάλλω) to

you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long” (Ps 71:23-24, ESV).

♫ “Sing to him, sing praises (ψάλλω) to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” (Ps 105:2, ESV).


♪ Some might say that these two texts do not prove that ψάλλω had a vocal connotation in these two texts.



♪ Such a claim, however, would overlook Hebrew parallelism.



♪ Such a claim, however, would overlook Hebrew parallelism.♫ In Hebrew poetry, the second line often repeats the idea of

the first line in slightly different words.




the first line in slightly different words.♪ “His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he

meditates day and night” (Ps 1:2, ESV).




the first line in slightly different words.♪ “His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he

meditates day and night” (Ps 1:2, ESV).♪ Delighting in the law of the LORD is the same thing as

meditating on it.




the first line in slightly different words.♫ In Psalm 71, shouting to the LORD with the lips is the same

as praising him & in Psalm 105, singing praise to God is the same as telling of his mighty works.


♪ The Greek construction in the Septuagint is quite important for the New Testament uses of ψάλλω.


♪ The Greek construction in the Septuagint is quite important for the New Testament uses of ψάλλω.♫ When ψάλλω is used to refer to instrumental music, the

typical construction is to use the preposition έν (with/on) and put the instrument played in the dative case.



typical construction is to use the preposition έν (with/on) and put the instrument played in the dative case (1 Sm 19:9).



typical construction is to use the preposition έν (with/on) and put the instrument played in the dative case (1 Sm 19:9).

♫ However, when the praise is to be offered to the Lord, “the LORD” is in the dative case without έν.



♪ That’s important for Ephesians 5:19.



♪ That’s important for Ephesians 5:19.♫ If Paul intended the word ψάλλω to mean “play,” he has

specified the instrument—the human heart!



♪ That’s important for Ephesians 5:19.♫ If Paul intended the word ψάλλω to mean “play,” he has

specified the instrument—the human heart!♫ One cannot use Ephesians 5:19 to advocate instrumental

music.


♪ Early Christians used ψάλλω to refer to vocal praise.


♪ Early Christians used ψάλλω to refer to vocal praise.♫ Clement of Alexandria (end of the 2nd century) employs a

large musical vocabulary.



large musical vocabulary.♪ He often uses ψάλλω to introduce a quotation from the

Psalms. We might translate like, “The Spirit (or David) says….”



large musical vocabulary.♪ He often uses ψάλλω to introduce a quotation from the

Psalms. We might translate like, “The Spirit (or David) says….”

♪ “This word sings (ψάλλω) through David concerning our Lord, saying . . . .”



large musical vocabulary.♫ Origen (3rd century) on 1 Corinthians 14:15: “For neither

can our understanding pray, unless previously the Spirit prays, hearkening as it were to it, nor likewise can it sing (ψάλλω) and hymn the Father in Christ with rhythm, melody, measure and harmony, unless the Spirit . . . first praise and hymn him.”



large musical vocabulary.♫ Origen (3rd century) on 1 Corinthians 14:15: “For neither

can our understanding pray, unless previously the Spirit prays, hearkening as it were to it, nor likewise can it sing (ψάλλω) and hymn the Father in Christ with rhythm, melody, measure and harmony, unless the Spirit . . . first praise and hymn him.” Our understanding cannot play an instrument.


♪ Why would early Christians use ψάλλω to refer to vocal praise if the New Testament uses the term to mean “play”?


♪ Why would early Christians use ψάλλω to refer to vocal praise if the New Testament uses the term to mean “play”?♫ Change of meaning between the New Testament & them?


♪ Why would early Christians use ψάλλω to refer to vocal praise if the New Testament uses the term to mean “play”?♫ Change of meaning between the New Testament & them?♫ Don’t we often use words, however, in their biblical

meaning?



meaning?♪ Baptism, for example.



meaning?♪ Baptism, for example.♪ If ψάλλω meant to play an instrument in the New Testament,

surely those who lived shortly after the apostles would have known that & used the term accordingly.


♪ Those who know Greek best affirm that ψάλλω means “to sing praise” in the New Testament.


♪ Those who know Greek best affirm that ψάλλω means “to sing praise” in the New Testament.♫ W. E. Vine who produced the well-known Expository

Dictionary of New Testament Words, said, “The word psallo originally meant to play a stringed instrument with the fingers, or to sing with the accompaniment of a harp. Later, however, and in the New Testament, it came to signify simply to praise without the accompaniment of an instrument.”


♪ Those who know Greek best affirm that ψάλλω means “to sing praise” in the New Testament.♫ Ralph Earle who wrote Word Meanings in the New

Testament, says, “‘Making melody’ is one word in Greek, psallontes. The verb psallo meant first to strike the strings of a harp or lyre. Then it meant to ‘strike up a tune.’ Finally it was used in the sense ‘to sing.’”


♪ Fallacy five: This argument ignores church history.


♪ Fallacy five: This argument ignores church history.♫ It is an undeniable fact that the early church did not use

instrumental music.


♪ Fallacy five: This argument ignores church history.♫ It is an undeniable fact that the early church did not use

instrumental music.♫ If ψάλλω means to plays an instrument in the New

Testament, why did the earliest Christians disobey that command?


♪ Obviously, ψάλλω has no reference to instrumental music in the New Testament.


♪ Obviously, ψάλλω has no reference to instrumental music in the New Testament.♫ There is no authority for instrumental music in the New

Testament whatsoever.


♪ Obviously, ψάλλω has no reference to instrumental music in the New Testament.♫ There is no authority for instrumental music in the New

Testament whatsoever.♫ Let us resolve to worship God as he has directed!

psallō and the piano. churches of christ stand out in the religious world for using a cappella...

Documents