Dict: smith - MUSIC

smith:

MUSIC - M>@ - The most ancient music.
The inventor of musical instruments, like the first poet and the first forger of metals, was a Cainite. We learn from kjv@Genesis:4:21) that Jubal the son of Lamech was "the father of all such as handle the harp and organ," that is, of all players upon stringed and wind instruments. The first mentioned of music in the times after the deluge is in the narrative of Laban’s interview with Jacob, kjv@Genesis:32:27) so that, whatever way it was preserved, the practice of music existed in the upland country of Syria, and of the three possible kinds of musical instruments two were known and employed to accompany the song. The three kinds are alluded to in kjv@Job:21:12) On the banks of the Red Sea Moses and the children of Israel sang their triumphal song of deliverance from the hosts of Egypt; and Miriam, in celebration of the same event, exercised one of her functions as a prophetess by leading a procession of the women of the camp, chanting in chorus the burden of the song of Moses. The song of Deborah and Barak is cast in a distinctly metrical form, and was probably intended to be sung with a musical accompaniment as one of the people’s songs. The simpler impromptu with which the women from the cities of Israel greeted David after the slaughter of the Philistines was apparently struck off on the spur of the moment, under the influence of the wild joy with which they welcomed their national champion. "the darling of the sons of Israel." ( kjv@1Samuel:18:6-7) Up to this time we meet with nothing like a systematic cultivation of music among the Hebrews, but the establishment of the schools of the prophets appears to have supplied this want. Whatever the students of these schools may have been taught, music was an essential part of their practice. Professional musicians soon became attached to the court. The golden age of Hebrew music . David seems to have gathered round him "singing men and singing women." (2 Samuel 19:35) Solomon did the same, kjv@Ecclesiastes:2:8) adding to the luxury of his court by his patronage of art, and obtaining a reputation himself as no mean composer. (Kings:4:32) But the temple was the great school of music, and it was consecrated to its highest service in the worship of Jehovah. Before, however the elaborate arrangements had been made by David for the temple choir, there must have been a considerable body of musicians throughout the country. (2 Samuel kjv@6:5) (David chose 4000 musicians from the 38,000 Levies in his reign, or one in ten of the whole tribe. Of these musicians 288 were specially trained and skillful. ( kjv@1Chronicles:26:6-7) The whole number was divided into 24 courses, each of which would thus consist of a full band of 154 musicians, presided over by a body of 12 specially-trained leaders, under one of the twenty-four sons of Asaph, Heman or Jeduthun as conductor. The leaders appear to have played on the cymbals, perhaps to make the time. ( kjv@1Chronicles:15:19 kjv@1Chronicles:16:5) All these joined in a special chant which David taught them, and which went by his name. ( kjv@1Chronicles:23:5) Women also took part in the temple choir. ( kjv@1Chronicles:13:8 kjv@1Chronicles:25:5-6) These great choirs answered one to another in responsive singing; thus the temple music most have been grand and inspiring beyond anything known before that time. Character of Hebrew music .
As in all Oriental nations, the music of the Hebrews was melody rather than harmony, which latter was then unknown. All old and young, men and maidens, singers and instruments, appear to have sung one part only in or in octaves. "The beauty of the music consisted altogether in the melody;" but this, with so many instruments and voices, was so charming that "the whole of antiquity is full of the praises of this music. By its means battles were won, cities conquered, mutinies quelled, diseases cured."
ED.) Uses of music .
In the private as well as in the religions life of the Hebrews music held a prominent place. The kings had their court musicians, ( kjv@2Chronicles:35:25; kjv@Ecclesiastes:2:8) and in the luxurious times of the later monarchy the effeminate gallants of Israel amused themselves with devising musical instruments while their nation was perishing ("as Nero fiddled while Rome was burning"). But music was also the legitimate expression of mirth and gladness The bridal processions as they passed through the streets were accompanied with music and song. kjv@Jeremiah:7:34) The music of the banquets was accompanied with song and dancing. kjv@Luke:15:26) The triumphal processions which celebrated victory were enlivened by minstrels and singers. kjv@Exodus:15:1-20; kjv@Judges:5:1 kjv@Judges:11:34) There were also religious songs. kjv@Isaiah:30:29; kjv@James:5:13) Love songs are alluded to; in kjv@Psalms:45:1) title, and Isai 5:1 There were also the doleful songs of the funeral procession, and the wailing chant of the mourners. The grape-gatherers sang at their work, and the women sang as they toiled at the mill, and on every occasion the land of the Hebrews during their national prosperity was a land of music and melody.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE HEBREWS - M>@ - (There has been great obscurity as to the instruments of music in use among the Hebrews, but the discoveries on the monuments of Egypt and Assyria have thrown much light upon the form and nature of these instruments. I. STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.
The harp or lyre.
See illustration The psaltery , the name of various large instruments of the harp kind. The sackbut , a harp-like instrument of four strings and of triangular form. A kind of lute or guitar (mahalath), in titles to kjv@Psalms:53:1) and Psal 88:1 With a long, flat neck, and a hollow body of wood whose surface was perforated with holes. There were three strings, end the whole instrument was three or four feet long. The gittith , in titles to kjv@Psalms:8:1 kjv@Psalms:81:1 kjv@Psalms:84:1 ) a stringed instrument, probably found by David st Gath, whence its name. II. INSTRUMENTS OF PERCUSSION. The timbrel , a form of tambourine, a narrow hoop covered with a tightened skin, and struck with the hand on the Egyptian monuments are three kinds
the circular, the square, and another formed by two squares separated by a bar. The drum (toph). Of this there were many varieties, some of them resembling modern drums. The Egyptians had along drum, of wood or copper, 2 1/2 feet long, resembling the tom-tom of India, and beaten by the hand. Another form was shaped like a cask with bulging centre, and was made of copper. It was of the same length as the other, but larger around, and was beaten with sticks. Another drum was more like our kettledrum; and one of these, the rabbins say, was placed in the temple court to the priests to prayer, and could be heard from Jerusalem to Jericho. Bells (paanton), attached to the high priest’s dress, and rung by striking against the knobs, shaped like pomegranates, which were hung near them. Cymbals . The earliest cymbals were probably finger cymbals -small plates of metal fastened to the thumb and middle finger, and struck together. Afterward there were the large cymbals, played with both hands. Systra (menaanim), (2 Samuel kjv@6:5) there translated comets. The systrum was a carved bronze or copper frame, with a handle, in all from 8 to 18 inches long, with movable rings and bars. It was shaken with the hand, and the rings and bars made a piercing metallic sound by striking against the bronze frame. The triangle (shalishim), ( kjv@1Samuel:18:6) a musical instrument (machol) used for accompanying the dance, and several times translated dancing. kjv@Psalms:150:3-45) It was a metallic rim or frame sometimes with a handle and had small bells attached to it, or bars across on which were strung metallic rings or plates. It was held in the hand, and was played by the women at weddings and merry-makings. III. WIND INSTRUMENTS.
The syrinx, pandean pipe or bagpipe (ugab); translated "organ" in kjv@Genesis:4:21) Either like the bagpipe, or a series of pipes from 5 to 23 in number, though usually only 7. The horn ,in the form of an animal’s horn even when made of metal but originating in the use of the horns of cattle. The trumpet (shophar) same as horn, 2. The straight trumpet . The flute (halil , meaning "bored through "), a pipe perforated with holes, originally made from reeds, but afterward of wood bone, horn or ivory. It was chiefly consecrated to joy or pleasure. The flute , alluded to in kjv@Daniel:3:6) probably a kind of double flageolet. The dulcimer , kjv@Daniel:3:5) a kind of bagpipe with two shrill reeds. The modern dulcimer is a triangular instrument strung with about 60 brass wires, and played upon with little sticks or metallic rods. It more resembles the ancient psaltery than the dulcimer of kjv@Daniel:3:5)
ED.)