The Harps of God
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." (Rev. 15: 2-3 kjv)
In this chapter we now look at what is entailed in saints all being given what are called "the harps of God." Again, we have another genitive. Does it mean "God harps," being an adjectival genitive? Or is it a genitive of source, harps that are given by or come from God? Or, is it an objective genitive, meaning "harps for God"? It no doubt could be any of these for all would be true. I think it means "divine harps that God provides."
Also, why are they called "harps of God" rather than "harps of Jubal"? After all, we are told in Genesis that Jubal is the inventor of the harp. Wrote Moses:
"His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes." (Gen. 4: 21) KJV says "all that handle the harp and organ."
That does not mean, however, that no one ever invented any musical instruments after Jubal. King David was a master musician and wrote songs, musical scores, and invented instruments of music. (See Amos 6: 5-6) Also, since the time of David others have invented new musical instruments. I have no reason to doubt that in eternity there will yet be new instruments of music invented. That is speculation to some degree, although I think it is inferred from the fact that the eternal heavenly state is one of perfection for the glorified immortal saints.
I suspect that if you queried Christians, or bible teachers especially, on the question as to whether they will sing perfectly in the heavenly state that they will answer yes. I certainly would. Additionally, I would think that we will also know how to play the harp perfectly as well as every other instrument of music. I cannot believe that God will give each resurrected and glorified saint his or her own harp and yet not also give each of them the ability, knowledge, or talent to play it. Though there is no text of scripture that says every saint will sing and play perfectly, yet all assume it, and I think that assumption is well founded. This question also touches on another aspect of our subject of the afterlife and eternal life and that concerns the question as to whether such perfected sons of God will be capable of making mistakes.
That "the nations" of the ongoing race, who are not yet confirmed in immortality, will make mistakes I do not doubt. It is "human to err." I believe that Adam and Eve, had they never sinned, would still have made mistakes, life being a life of trial and error. I don't think they were expert mathematicians, for instance, so that it was impossible for them to err in that regard. But, the subject of the perfection that will characterize the glorified saints must wait till a later chapter when we look at the subject of the resurrection of the body and what is involved in being glorified and perfected.
Another reason why I think I will have the ability to play all instruments and to sing without getting off key, or missing a note, etc., is that we will be fully "matured sons of God." As God does not err or make mistakes, or bad decisions, so his sons and daughters will not either, for they will be like their Father in the fullest sense. That is not to say that they will become omnipotent or omniscient, but they will certainly be as wise and powerful as they could be as the fully grown and perfected sons of God. I expect all glorified saints will be, musically speaking, "as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument." (Eze. 33: 32)
Another reason for this belief lies in the fact that the eternal heavenly state will find no sadness and no disappointment. But, if I will not be able to sing and play perfectly, then I think I will be greatly disappointed. I certainly don't think any of the glorified will be tone deaf or have anything that would hinder them from being perfect musicians and singers. I don't think angels sing off key and I don't think the glorified saints will be inferior in that regard.
What Kind Of Harp?
Every time the harp is mentioned in the bible it is in connection with singing a song. Though players of instruments often play without singing, being what are called "instrumentals," yet in worship it is always singing along with the playing. I think believers will play when they are alone, and sometimes will play without actually singing with voice or words. Perhaps the song lyrics are merely in the mind while the musical instrument is being played.
Today when people think of a harp, they think of the enormous concert harp which is six feet in height. The concert harp is a relatively modern instrument and only professionally trained people can play it. The harp that Jubal created was small enough to be held, and you didn’t have to go through years of training in order to play it. Furthermore, the harp is but one of several kinds of stringed instruments mentioned in the old testament and used in the worship of Jehovah. If you think about it, the large harps, if laid flat, would resemble a grand piano. In fact, some pianos are called a "harpsichord." The difference is that in a piano the hammers strike the strings but in a harpsichord they pluck the strings. The truth is, there are several kinds of harps. Also, harps are within the category of stringed instruments. Many folks play what is called an autoharp.
An Internet search got this information from AI:
"The kinnor, an ancient Hebrew lyre, is the most common harp mentioned in the Bible, appearing 42 times in references spanning many centuries. Bible versions may refer to it as a "lyre," "harp," or "stringed instrument". The kinnor is described as having a solid or hollow base with sound holes, two arms that rise to hold a bridge, and strings that span the space from the bridge to the bottom of the base. It was played by plucking the strings with fingers or a stick. According to the Roman Jewish historian Josephus (1st century AD), the kinnor resembled the Greek kithara, which has broad arms and a boxlike neck. In both the Greek Old Testament and the Latin Bible, the kinnor is translated as "kithara"."
Said another source (See here):
"The ancient harp looked much different than more modern harps. The harp of the Old Testament often consisted of less strings than the harps we are familiar with today and it was usually accompanied by other musical instruments such as flutes and lyres. (See Psalm 144:9 and 150:3 for examples)."
Said the same source:
"One very clear purpose of the harp throughout scripture is praise!
Psalm 71:22 “I will also praise You with a harp, Even your truth, O my God; To You I will sing praises with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.”
The harp appears many times throughout the Psalms (such as the one above) and is used as an instrument of praise to the Lord."
Said the same source:
"Another closely related purpose of the harp is in rejoicing. People throughout the Old Testament would use the harp during times of celebration."
Musical instruments will be played for entertainment just as now. The same with singing. In times of celebration the harp and stringed instruments would play joyful music. Many people wrongly think that harp music is always played in slow tempo but that is not the case. It was also played like the autoharp with an upbeat tempo, which is the kind of tempo of music in jubilant celebration. It was not played in only doleful sound. This is why it is often played along with other instruments, such as with a tambourine.
Music is a gift from God. That includes both singing and playing musical instruments. Listen to Handel's Messiah and experience that truth for yourself. Listen to any good orchestra or symphony and you will agree. Or, in nature, listen to the birds singing.
Another Internet search cited several sources by AI about what Martin Luther, the great Reformer, had to say about music being a gift of God. I quote from it (See here):
"Martin Luther, who studied music as a liberal art, wrote several quotes about music as a gift from God. In 1538, Luther wrote a preface that described music as a divine gift that is present in nature and reaches its perfection in humans. He said, "I would certainly like to praise music with all my heart as the excellent gift of God which it is and to commend it to everyone". He also said that music is even more wonderful in living things, especially birds."
Luther said, "Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise". He also said that the gift of song and language was given to humans so they could use music to proclaim the Word of God...Luther believed that music was a way to share Bible truths and compared its importance to theology. He also said that music was a gift from God that could promote good and fight evil."
I agree with bible teacher Tim Challes who wrote (See here) the following about music in heaven and in the eternal state (emphasis mine):
"But one thing we can know with absolute certainty is that heaven is a place of music, a place of singing, a place of great orchestras and mighty choirs. In John’s revelation of what is and what is to be, he sees musicians and describes their music. He listens as choirs of men and angels sing out their praises to God. He marvels as the nations gather to fall on their faces and cry out in worship. He rejoices hearing the voice of a vast multitude singing “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” Whatever else is true of heaven, it is most certainly a place of music."
Now let us look at a sampling of old testament texts about how music was such an integral part of the worship of God, whether in the Temple or in celebratory gatherings of the people.
"Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals." (II Sam. 6: 5 nkjv)
"And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers." (I Kings 10: 12)
"Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets." (I Chron. 13: 8)
"Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy." (I Chron. 15: 16)
"All these were under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the authority of the king." (I Chron. 25: 6)
It seems to me that the music of the people of the new heavens and earth will likewise be under the direction and authority of King Jesus and his people who are reigning as kings on the earth.
Psalm 150 names nine types of musical instruments to be used in praise of God. While the exact translation of some of these instruments is unknown, the Jewish commentators have identified the shofar, lyre, harp, drum, organ, flute, cymbal, and trumpet.
I expect that every stringed instrument that we have now will be present in the ages to come and be employed in playing spiritual music.
Prophesying Via Harp Playing
J.A. Seiss in his famous book "The Apocalypse" had this to say in his commentary on Revelation 5: 8 and the saints having the harps of God (See here emphasis mine):
"And the harps bear upon the subject in the same direction. As the incense connects with the priest’s office, so the harp connects with the prophet’s. Samuel said to Saul: “Thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place, with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp before them, and they shall prophesy.” (1 Sam. 10:5.) We read of six sons of Jeduthun, “who prophesied with a harp.” (1 Chron. 25:3.) David says, of his prophetic utterances, “I will open my dark sayings upon the harp.” (Ps. 49:4.) And the holding up of these incense prayers and prophetic harps together before the Lamb as He takes the book, is that He may now remember and fulfil what all His holy prophets have spoken and sung, as well as what all His saints have prayed. Both combine to assure us, that it is the very summit and consummation of all pious desire, and all sacred prediction and song, that is involved in this taking of the book."
This is a very interesting fact that most Christians miss in their contemplating life in the ages to come and the manifold purpose behind the giving of these "harps of God." Prophesying or revealing truth is connected with them and now we will cite some of the old testament passages which prove this.
"Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was...Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD." (I Chron. 25: 1,3)
"And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him." (II Kings 3: 14-15 kjv)
On this verse wrote a commentary:
"Of the power of music over the mind we have examples in the history of Saul (1 Samuel 16:23) and also of the use of music by the companies of prophets (1 Samuel 10:5). But neither of these instances illustrates the case of Elisha as here described. It was not employed to calm his own angry spirit, and he was alone, whereas the prophetic band in 1 Samuel 10:5 were marching in a body, and chanting some religious hymns or service. From the result described here, viz. that the hand (that is, the influence and spirit) of the Lord came upon him, we may conclude that this was what Elisha wished for, and we may suppose that while the music went on his thoughts took shape, and found vent in prayer, till at length he was prompted inwardly what to say. A striking instance of the power of music." (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges)
Wrote another commentary:
"But now bring me a minstrel. A player on the harp seems to be intended. Music was cultivated in the schools of the prophets (1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Chronicles 25:1-3), and was employed to soothe and quiet the soul, to help it to forget things earthly and external, and bring it into that ecstatic condition in which it was most open to the reception of Divine influences. As David's harping refreshed Saul, and tranquillized his spirit (1 Samuel 16:23), so the playing of any skilled minstrel had a soothing effect on those possessing the prophetic gift generally, and enabled them to shut out the outer world, and concentrate their whole attention on the inward voice which communicated to them the Divine messages. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. By "the hand of the Lord" is meant the power of the Spirit of God, the Divine effluence, whatever it was, which acquainted the prophets with the Divine will, and enabled them to utter it. 2 Kings 3:15" (Pulpit commentary)
People in the ages to come will enjoy playing music and singing spiritual songs and they will experience a greater measure of ecstasy and of the Spirit and hand of God upon them.
Said the great London preacher Charles Spurgeon:
"Perhaps the sweetest of all instruments is the harp. There are others which give forth sounds more grand and noble, but the harp is the sweetest of all instruments. I have sometimes sat to hear a skilful harper, till I could say, "I could sit and hear myself away," whilst with skilful fingers he touched the chords gently, and brought forth strains of melody which flowed like liquid silver, or like sounding honey into one's soul. Sweet, sweet beyond sweetness; words can scarcely tell how sweet the melody. Such is the music of heaven. No jarring notes there, no discord, but all one glorious harmonious song. You will not be there, formalist, to spoil the tune; nor you, hypocrite, to mar the melody; there will be all those there whose hearts are right with God, and therefore the strain will be one great harmonious whole, without a discord." (Heavenly Worship; Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857)
I firmly believe that people, both among the saints and among the nations, will be happy in playing music, singing, and in hearing it just as they do now. The only difference will be in the fact that there will be no evil, lustful, or worldly music but will all be clean, holy, and spiritual.
Will there be dancing in the ages to come? That is a question we will investigate in the next chapter.
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