Faithful on Fridays Blog

Years ago the only instrument found in many churches was an organ or an occasional piano; more than that was considered too contemporary. Nowadays we find every known instrument to man and they’re all used to praise our God.

Biblically, stringed instruments were a vital part of praise and worship which brings us to the worship word zamar. The verb zamar is always used in an intensive and active way: zamar is to sing praises or make music with instruments. When you combine the two, singing and instruments, it’s heavenly.

All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to Your name. Psalms 66:4

Singing praises (zamar), mentioned twice in this verse, indicates instruments being used. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for Psalm is mizmor which comes from zamar. Why is that important? Because this Psalm, 66, is meant to be sung with a band. Also, this kind of praise was often sang and played due to a victory over an enemy. It was a strategy of spiritual warfare.

Remember the story of David who was called to King Saul when he was being tormented by demons (1 Sam. 16:14-23)? David’s method of spiritual warfare was playing the lyre.

This early guitar, when played under God’s anointing, brought healing and refreshment to the king. The root meaning of the word zamar is to pluck strings to make music but it also has a second meaning: to trim or prune a branch. What? Yes, when we enter into worship with anointed, instrumental music we are opening ourselves up to God allowing Him to prune us. He may give us that ‘ahah moment’ when we realize something in our life isn’t in alignment with His will, therefore, we can ask for empowerment to improve. That’s pruning.

In John 15 Jesus explained that He is the vine and His Father is the vinedresser.

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2

In your time of worship this Sunday allow the Father to prune you so you can be more fruitful; it may be painful, pruning is cutting away, but the fruit in your life will be much healthier and more vibrant.

Paul wrote:

… be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart. Ephesians 5:18b-19

That phrase, making melody, is the Greek word psallo meaning vibrate or twang like striking a chord. Read what the prophetess and leader Deborah sang in her song of victory (Jud. 5:3):

Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing; I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel. Judges 5:3

So whether your church uses an organ, piano, guitar, or a whole band, make melody to God and listen to His pruning voice.