Music, the Temple, and the True God

By Gabriel Piedra ThD and Gabriel Piedra

Saul, Israel's first king, "was refreshed, and was well, and" an "evil spirit departed from him" through David's playing of the harp (1 Sam. 16:14-17, 23). Elisha needed someone to play a stringed instrument, to relax to know God's will about a military campaign to be waged by three monarchs (2 Kings 3:13-15). Likewise, Levites of David's time, prophesied with musical instruments to praise the Lord (1 Chr. 25:1, 3). All these are just a few examples of the positive effects of appropriate music on spirituality and the individual's connection with God.
But music can also have very negative effects on human spirituality. For example, when Israel abided in Shittim, the people began to fornicate with the daughters of Moab and invited the people to sacrifice to their gods, eating and bowing down to Baal-peor (Num. 25:1-3). Ellen White comments on this: "They ventured upon the forbidden ground, and were entangled in the snare of Satan. Beguiled with music and dancing, and allured by the beauty of heathen vestals, they cast off their fealty to Jehovah." (EGW, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 454).
Contrary to a popular argument that music is amoral, it has the ability to create a very important effect on the human mind, behavior, and spirituality. Everything that has a Christian tinge, but without the principles that the Bible teaches about music for the Lord and in general, today has been overturned by the mundane and superficial, where it is believed that the prevailing culture is the one that determines the music we listen to and offer to the Lord. But that does not belong to the God of the Holy Scriptures.
The author quoted above told us:

"Persons may, under certain influences of the moment, be full of ecstasies; for chords are touched whose vibrations are pleasing to the natural taste. ...] To flash out brightly now and then under the praise of the world is not the religion of Jesus Christ". (EGW, The Review and Herald, July 28, 1896).

Considering all this, and because of the soon return of our Lord Jesus, are we willing to assume only what the Lord reveals to us, such as music?
We invite you, the reader, to immerse yourself in what the Word of God, the testimonies of the Spirit of God, ancient and modern history, and science tell us about the subject.
Let us look at the outcome of the message, and participate with Christ at our side.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FM83S49V
• ISBN13: 9798297784062
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.7" x 9.6"