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The
words, but not the music, of many Biblical songs have survived, the most
notable being the Psalms of David. Similarly, we know the names of several
of the musical instruments of the Old Testament, but their exact appearance
for the most part is either unknown or a matter of dispute. Psalm 150,
for example, alludes to "stringed instruments and organs" without going
into particulars. According to Genesis 4:21, "the father of all such as
handle the harp and organ" was Jubal, son of Lamech and Adah. Here are
some of the instruments his descendants played:
Trumpet.
While
leading the Israelites in their Exodus from Egypt, Moses ordered his metalsmiths
to fashion two long silver trumpets that could perform a variety of uses;
signaling, summoning assemblies, sounding the alarm, and initiating celebrations
(Numbers 10: 1-10).
Shofar.
A
more humble type of trumpet, this was made from a ram's horn, though playing
it demanded a degree of skill. This was the instrument that brought down
the walls of Jericho when carried around the city by seven priests for
seven days. It is the only Biblical instrument still in use in its ancient
form, being sounded in the synagogue on the Jewish High Holy Days (Joshua
6:4).
Pipe.
A
simple shepherd's instrument, probably single-reed and apparently widely
used. "The people piped with pipes" when King Solomon was annointed by
Zadok the Priest (I Kings 1:40).
Kinnor.
A
plucked string instrument translated variously as harp, lyre, or cythara,
and mentioned on a number of occasions. The frame was made of wood, occasionally
trimmed with amber, and the strings made either of twisted grass or sheep
gut. This was the instrument the Israelites hung on the willows by the
rivers of Babylon during the Second Exile. Evidently there were a number
of types, sorne quite elaborate, for one Psalm mentions in a single verse
the harp, the psaltery, and "an instrument of ten strings" (Psalm 137:2,
Psalm 33:2).
Timbrel,
or Tabret.
A
hand drum that resembled a tambourine. Moses' sister Miriam played one
to celebrate the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20).
Cymbal.
"Praise
him upon the loud cymbals; praise him upon the high- sounding cymbals"
(Psalm 150:5).
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