And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. (1 Sam 16:23
1 Samuel 16:23, The spirit from Elohim.YHVH sovereignly has the power to use anyone or anything to accomplish his purposes including evil spirits. This evil spirit was a judgment against Saul for his rebellion against YHVH’s instructions which was a form of witchcraft (1 Sam 15:23–24). Saul sought power, fame, wealth and glory at the expense of obeying YHVH (1 Sam 15:22) as did Balaam the false prophet. Thus Saul was inclined toward the dark side and, as a result, attracted evil spirits. As a result, YHVH, sent him a troubling spirit to agitate him back to the good side as represented and evidenced by the David’s harp music. When Saul felt better after hearing this music, he should have repented of his sinful ways and come back to Elohim, but he did not, since his heart was predisposed and inclined toward evil. Thus, YHVH used the evil spirit to goad and provoke Saul thus putting him to the test to see whether he would return to the right path. Obviously he did not repent but continued in the downward spiral of evil which led him acquiescing to a murdering spirit eventually to his consulting the witch of Endor resulting in his ultimate and untimely death as well as the erasure of his lineage.
Harp…refreshed…distressing spirit would depart.Johann Sebastian Bach declared that the sole aim and purpose of all music should be nothing else but the glory of Elohim and the refreshment of the spirit. Evil spirits do not like quality much less godly music. YHVH created Lucifer to be musical (Ezek 28:13), but when he rebelled, his mind along with his musical tastes and abilities became twisted and perverted, which is why quality music is anathema to an evil spirit, for Satan is the father of it ungodly music. From evil and twisted minds comes dark forms of music along with perverted lyrics and discordant “rhythms”. Most modern music (both rock and classical) comports with this genre of “music”. Science has even discovered that the patterns of the sound waves that such music makes is confusing, disorganized and senseless. One can only imagine the physiological impact of the sound waves that such music has on the cells of the brains of its listeners. Apparently, such music also has a deleterious effect on plants that are subjected to it compared to quality music. Conversely, the Bible reveals that quality, godly and uplifting music brings on the anointing of YHVH (2 Kgs 3:15), as well as the prophetic word of Elohim (1 Chron 25:1–3; 2 Chron 20:14). Moreover YHVH inhabits or is enthroned on the praises of his people (Ps 22:3), while at the same time such music repels evil spirits as was the case when David played the harp for the demonically oppressed Saul. Praise and worship music can even defeat the militaristic enemies of YHVH’s saints (2 Chron 20:21–23) Thus, the playing of good music is a form of spiritual warfare, while evil music attracts evil spirits and those who are inclined toward the dark side.
this was music to my ears. Elohim who created music is the best composer, orchestrator and maestro! Play on 🙂
Very good teaching thanks P.Natan! I will definitely share this teaching to others. May YHVH gives you more fresh manna from His Words. Amein.This specifically apply to worship music rendered by S.Anna.
I would like to present a different point of view to this thread.
You said that “Johann Sebastian Bach declared that the sole aim and purpose of all music should be nothing else but the glory of Elohim and the refreshment of the spirit.” I will take it that you agree with Bach on this point.
You also have stated elsewhere that the Book of Psalms exemplifies songs that worship Elohim (with the implication that only songs that worship Elohim should be written, performed, or sung.)
Finally, you seem (like Bach) to be suggesting a too black and white definition for the role of music, It’s either worshipping of Elohim (holy) or it’s not worshipping Elohim (evil).
With all due respect I present a different point of view. I believe that what Bach and you both believe is black and white is actually more of a continuum. While the Book of Psalms mostly contains lots of reverential and worshipful material, some of it are illustrations of the human condition, such as when David wails that Elohim feels far away from him. In Ps 51, David talks a lot about his guilt, sin, transgressions, broken spirit, etc. Should a song focusing on these topics be considered worship music or should it be considered evil music? I contend it’s neither one and is in fact somewhere in the middle of the continuum.
Similarly, I have been studying carefully the lyrics of a song where the songwriter describes what you might call a Hosea 3 marriage. The words describe how the writer feels his spouse is not on the same page with him; he has lost her like the sand slipping through his fingers. Are these lyrics worshipful? Clearly not. Are they evil? Clearly not. The lyrics describe the human condition, in this case the pain of a difficult relationship, and I contend it’s somewhere in the middle on the holy vs evil continuum. Such a song doesn’t fit what you and Bach have contended is the sole purpose of music. I contend that music can serve many purposes and describe many aspects of the human condition, human experience, and the world we live in. That doesn’t mean that all music outside of “worship music” is evil.
Please go back and reread what I wrote. It’s really important that people read carefully what I write and then respond accurately to what I have written, and NOT impose on my writings what they think I said.
What do I mean?
In my article, I stated up front that Bach had two (not one) criteria for determining quality music. Let me spell it out:
Number one: Worship and praise of Elohim.
Number two: The refreshment of the human spirit.
You missed point number two and you incorrectly characterized my entire writing as an either-or thing based on the wrong assumption that Bach and I were only focusing on point number one, and that our approach for determining good music was “too black and white.”
That said, both Bach and I agree with you totally about the dual aspects of good music. I never stated nor implied that all music outside of worship is evil. I listen to much non-worship music that is uplifting to my soul.
Blessings.
Music, like Art, is an expression of the times; sometimes good, but mostly bad (Sad).
Shalom, John