THE PSALTERY/HARP

The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned to the sound board. All harps have a neck, resonator, and strings. Some, known as frame harps, also have a pillar; those without the pillar are referred to as open harps. Depending on its size, which varies, a harp may be played while held on the lap or while it stands on a table, or on the floor. Harp strings may be made of nylon, gut, wire or silk.

The harp is an ancient musical instrument. The psaltery of Ancient Greece (Epigonion) dates back from at least 2800 BC, and was a harp-like instrument. The word psaltery derives from the Ancient Greek word (psalterion), “stringed instrument, psaltery, harp,” and from the verb (psallo), “to touch sharply, to pluck, pull, twitch” in the case of the strings of musical instruments, “to play a stringed instrument with the fingers.” According to Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, the harp (or psaltery) is a ten or twelve-stringed instrument with a broad resonance body that is plucked with the fingers for music. The Bible also mentions that the harp is made up of ten strings. “Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.” Psalm 92:3

The first mention of the harp in the Bible is found in Genesis 4:21, “His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.”

The harp (Hebrew: nevel)and lyre (Hebrew: kinnor) are two stringed instruments most frequently mentioned in the Bible. King David was well known for his musical skills and abilities in playing the harp and lyre.

Several verses in the Bible mention the harp:

“Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery; and an instrument of ten strings.” Psalm 33:2

“I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto Thee.” Psalm 144:9

“Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.” Psalm 57:8

Harp music was used in worship, prayer, meditation, healing and deliverance. The gentle soothing sound of the harp brings physical and emotional healing. Saul was advised by his servants in 1 Samuel 16:16, “to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: that he shall play with his hand” and make him feel better. So David played the harp for King Saul when he was in despair and torment, and he was refreshed and well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

David, as a shepherd boy, must have spent a lot of time in the field, looking after the sheep and playing his harp. He most probably used it for meditation, to bring inner peace and harmony between himself, God and nature.

Harp music will continue through eternity in the church restored in heaven and in the New Earth.

“And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.” Revelation 5:8. “And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” Revelation 14:2

When we meet Jesus we will be presented with harps to play, and sing, glorifying God and Jesus the Lamb.

“Before entering the city of God the Saviour bestows upon His followers the emblems of victory and invests them with the insignia of their royal state. The glittering ranks are drawn up in the form of a hollow square about their King, whose form rises in majesty high above saint and angel, whose countenance beams upon them full of benignant love. Throughout the unnumbered host of the redeemed every glance is fixed upon Him, every eye beholds His glory whose ‘visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.’ Upon the heads of the overcomers Jesus with His own right hand places the crown of glory. For each there is a crown, bearing his own ‘new name,’ and the inscription, ‘Holiness to the Lord.’  In every hand are placed the victor’s palm and the shining harp. Then, as the commanding angels strike the note, every hand sweeps the harp strings with skillful touch, awaking sweet music in rich, melodious strains. Rapture unutterable thrills every heart, and each voice is raised in grateful praise: ‘Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.” –Our Father Cares, p. 61–62

Many of us here on Earth cannot play an instrument or read music. But if we prove faithful to God we will be given our own shining harp to play in heaven and we WILL know how to play it! What a beautiful scene that will be! Let us strive to make this scene a reality. Let us put ourselves aside and let God guide in our lives so that one day we may be part of that great and victorious group who will sing and glorify God in heaven. AMEN.

Michael C. Newby

 

THE HORN

The Hebrew name for the horn or the trumpet is the shofar, specifically a cornet, curved horn, or trumpet.

According to the Talmud, the shofar can be made of the horns of various animals, including the sheep, both domestic and wild goats, the antelope, the gazelle, and of course, the ram. The sound of the horn was like a cutting blast that awakens or calls to attention.

Along with the harp, the horn is the most spoken of musical instrument in the Bible. While the harp was used to calm and soothe the spirit, the shofar or horn was, and is still constantly used, to grab hold of the attention and spirit of the people.  The harp is a consoler, while the horn is a preparer.

The horn was used in Biblical times for various occasions ranging from calling the armies together to signaling death.

The Israelites used this instrument to tell their soldiers to go into battle. There are several times in the Bible when the Israelites used the horn or trumpet in war.  “And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city, after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” Joshua 6:15–16, 20

Also, Gideon used the horn in war. Sister White writes, “In the dead of night, at a signal from Gideon’s war horn, the three companies sounded their trumpets; then, breaking their pitchers and displaying the blazing torches, they rushed upon the enemy with the terrible war cry, ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.’”  –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 550

Moses called the people to attention to prepare to appear before the Lord at Mount Sinai. The story tells us that on the third day, the voice of the trumpet was heard, summoning the people to meet with God, and they trembled.

The sound of the trumpet is a warning call, a call to prepare. As people of God, we are called to sound the trumpet, to awaken the people and bring them to salvation. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1

We, too will be summoned to meet our Creator when He comes in the clouds of heaven by the sound of the trumpet. Will we tremble? Will we fear? Or will we be happy, glad that we will finally spend eternity with Jesus? “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 74

It is my wish and prayer that, unlike the Midianites, who were sleeping and were startled at the sound of the trumpet, that we may be glad and ready when the trumpet sounds, calling us to meet our Saviour in the clouds. AMEN.

Stephen Newby