Did God command the use of instrumental music under the Old Law?
Question:
Do you think there was a time in the old law that God did command the use of instruments in worship to Him? Such as II Chronicles 29:25-28. Seems like there are split thoughts on this idea. Just wondering about your thoughts. There is no doubt that instruments were used in the Old Law to worship God by David and others, and this passage seems to suggest it commanded by God at the time.
Answer:
Instrumental music was commanded under the Old Law.
"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals!" (Psalms 150:3-5).
One of the Jewish feasts, established by God, was known as the Feast of the Trumpets -- for very good reasons. "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:24). They were also sounded on the day of Atonement. "Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land" (Leviticus 25:9).
The New Moon festival required the blowing of a trumpet. "Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob" (Psalm 81:3-4).
What David did was organize the duties of those offering praise to God, which is recorded in II Chronicles 29:25-28, which included assigning duties to those playing various instruments.
It is the fact that the Old Law clearly required instrumental music and the New Law states only vocal music that makes us take notice. God was silent about the use of instruments in Christian worship and that silence must be honored. "Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).
