As we recall the musical emphases of David, Solomon, Hezekiah and Nehemiah, the contrast with Acts is astounding. Remember how David brings the ark to Jerusalem. He commands, “Play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy” (1 Chronicles 15:16). Do you remember the choral and orchestral praise that fills the temple?
All the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments. (2 Chronicles 5:12-13)
Such musical splendor is the background, both past (the music in Solomon’s temple) and present (the music in Herod’s temple). Against that rich backdrop, why—in the entire Gospel record—is there mention of just one hymn by Jesus and His apostles? Why, in all the church’s history reported by Acts, is there mention of just one song?
How strange, especially for those of us to whom music is everything. Here is a mystery worth exploring.