The Bible’s music is spoken of in the Bible book of Genesis, where it mentions Jubal who became the founder of “all those who handle the harp and the pipe.” Genesis 4:21. Among those acquainted with worship of Yahweh, Laban, the Jacob’s father-in-law, speaks of his wish to give his Rachel his daughter a farewell with musical accompaniment.

Moses initiated a rousing victory song over Pharaoh and the Egyptians with the Israelites safe passage through the Red Sea, and the Egyptians destruction, as recorded in Exodus 15. Victories over enemies were celebrated in song by such men as Jephtah, David and Saul. Music was used in transporting the Ark of the Covenant. Solomon’s temple reached a climax in the Israelite’s history in musical organization and arrangement.

The Bible’s book of Psalms, written by David, Moses, Solomon and others, was originally composed along with music, memorized and sung by pre-Christian Jews such as David, and were accompanied by the harp, less complex than today’s harp, and were also sung by choral singers, who memorized long Psalms with alphabetic Hebrew acrostic Hebrew letters, alphabetacized by the first letter of each stanza as a memory aid. Today, the Psalms represent a collection of the most profound and beautiful spiritual poetry, which gives a beautiful portrait of human emotions, from exultation and joy, to deep despair and depression.

Some of the music used in songs of praise to God in Bible times were, String: harp, lute, zither. Wind: bagpipe, flute, horn, pipe, trumpet, (possibly) nehiloth. Percussion: cymbals, sistrum, tambourine.

Jesus along with his Apostles sang spiritual songs based on the Hallel Psalms at the Last Supper, as was the custom of Jews during the Passover. Music has always been a part of the rousing, spirited and emotional worship of God. In nearly every culture, music reflects the emotions and sentiments of the innermost parts of the heart, and this is true of the music of the earliest Jews and that of the early Christians as well.

This article was written independently by a school teacher in Newark, NJ. A summary of the beliefs of: Jehovah’s Witnesses can be found at and Jehovah’s Witnesses Beliefs.