Let’s face it, melodies and harmonies are “music to the ears”! We find music pleasing, charming, exciting, inspiring and moving. Quite naturally, many people think of that emotive quality within itself as music’s purpose in religion. They feel that explains why David uses music—he simply enjoys its effect on his senses and emotions. To human minds that seems obvious. But worship is about pleasing God, and so much about God is a mystery to us. After all, God is God and we are not.
Let’s review God’s thinking as revealed in the law. We’ll begin with the two simple instruments specified by Moses. Look for music’s purposes as revealed by the inspired Scriptures. Also notice the legal place of the instruments.
God gives precise requirements for the clothing to be worn by each high priest, beginning with Aaron. Essential to this arrangement are the bells attached to the edge of the garment.
On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he does not die. (Exodus 28:33-35)
[Alternate] a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate around the hem of the robe for ministering, as the LORD had commanded Moses. (Exodus 39:26)
What is the purpose of the bells? They make a sound that keeps the high priest alive as he serves in God’s presence (Exodus 28:35). Why is this so? What makes the bells necessary for survival? The only answer offered is this: God commanded it so through Moses (Exodus 39:26). Do you sense a divine mystery lurking behind these details?