“Make music to the LORD!” What a magnificent purpose! How far superior a purpose as compared with pleasing human audiences! Under the inspired direction of David, the music itself becomes an offering to God. Have you ever thought of music that way, as an offering? Have you thought of it as an offering alongside sacrificed animals and incense?
The prophet Amos affirms the status of music as an offering. Through Amos, God declares,
I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:21-24)
Think about the Lord’s point here. He is not against offerings as such. The law of Moses is still in effect in Amos’ time, and by that law God requires such offerings. Rather, God hates lifestyles filled with violence, greed and evil. He especially hates them when they hide behind a face of religious ceremonies! Remembering this context, look at the worship forms listed by Amos:
- burnt offerings
- rain offerings
- peace offerings
- the noise of your songs
- the sound of your harps
The prophet Amos confirms the place of music. The music of songs and harps are offerings to God just as surely as animals burnt on the altar are offerings. God’s rebuke includes this statement: “To the melody of your harps I will not listen” (Amos 5:24). Turn that statement around for the way things should have been. If the people’s hearts and lives had been right, God would have listened to their harps. As the burning animal sacrifice sends its aroma to God, so the music of worship sends its sound to God. Thus, in the Davidic order of worship, the music of harps is meant for the ears of God.