Tags
context, cymbals, dance, drums in the church, holy, instruments in the church, king David, praise, Psalm 150, SDA youth, sing aloud, tambourine, the trap set, timbrel, worship
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm 150:1-6 KJV
Now, in the first part we looked at a few things, one of them being what time we are in now, and if it calls for the same as in the context of Psalm 150. But, you know, there is more we can say about this verse, as it is so often quoted by those in favor of upbeat celebration even secular style worship services. Even among Seventh-Day Adventists, this verse is referred to, to justify a worship style. It comes up in defense of the youth. Now, in case you did not know, I am both Seventh-Day Adventist, and currently at 28 years of age, still very much involved with and part of the youth there. Please understand that I know where the minds with these defenses for drums etc are coming from. Not long ago, I thought exactly like what I encounter pretty much every time this topic is raised. This blog is not about my testimony however, but keeping that in mind, lets get to the point 
I would like to share what I wrote once, to a friend:
Friend, as I had mentioned to another who already posted Psalm 150, what if we were to take a closer look? Heres what I briefly shared with another person who used this chapter.
Verse 4 is where I’m sure your point is found, as the topic of the thread is drums. First, a timbrel does not compare to a drum set. But lets still use it, so that we may continue to something even more interesting.
In the same breath, dance is mentioned. Actually, one word after “timbrel”. Money may be used for evil was your argument. Are you ready to also say that about dance? Don’t get me wrong, I do agree money can be used for evil, and good. Money in itself is not evil, but staying on topic, do you see where Psalm 150 may not be a good idea to use in defense of the drum. If you defend the drum, you must also defend dancing in church. Only one word separates them. However, theres more.
I’ve heard many say that Psalm 150 does not stand alone, but that Psalm 149 is supposed to be a part of it. Lets look at it. The question is this. Whats the context? Remember the topic is called “Drums in the church”. When you mention Psalm 150, where are they? Lets look at 149
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. – Psalm 149:5 KJV
If we reason like in 150, should I then make an argument for, as we can bring drums in the church, to bring our beds in the church? Why not? It says so right there, no? Please do not understand this for sarcasm, I by no means am being so. I’ve learned quite a number of interesting things around the drum and what we’ve used to defend it in the past… looking at the evidence carefully can be very amazing. But theres more.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; – Psalm 149:6 KJV
Ok, heres another. Should I also make a case for finding and bringing a sword (not Bible, but literal) into the church? The reasoning for 150 in defense of drums can only work if it is applied to the rest of what we’ve found so far: dance, beds, swords.
I believe this is more of a personal Psalm, not a corporate worship example. I believe wherever we are, we are to praise God. Amen? But again, the evidence, the context, does not suggest we are to bring a drum into the church. And remember, a timbrel although like the drum set, does not match it. And we haven’t even looked at this in a scientific nor prophetic manner yet…
I truly hope this was helpful.
God bless.
