Music Making In the New Testament

Although the New Testament says little about music making, it is clear that the worship life of the early church was characterized by the use of psalms and other forms of song. Superficially the New Testament appears almost to disregard music. Outside of the book of Revelation, in which music is a part of a rich eschatalogical drama, not more than a dozen passages in the entire canon shed light on music making. Of these, five mention music only metaphorically (Matt. 6:2; 11:17; Luke 7:32; 1 Cor. 13:1; 14:78). The remaining cast important light, especially when seen in broader context-that of the rich heritage of temple and synagogue worship known and practiced by the early Christians. There are four passages in the Gospels, two of which are parallel. Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26 mention the use of a hymn by Christ and his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper. Although there is debate as to the exact nature of the Last Supper with regard to its full content and relation to…