In secular circles, and around the middle ages; the music of troubadors, came to speak of the practice of "courtship," or "courtly love" such as romantic love is. The concept of covenant relationship with God, or in the marriage was not necessarily part of this.
To honour one another, first of all, was to show honour and glory to the living God whom they served. When love apostacized from God, the concept of "troubadors of the Spirit," was largely lost.
But in ancient times, music permeated Israel's daily life, with anointed song and dance celebrating and magnifying their love for God, who spoke of Zion, the holy nation; as the virgin to whom He had joined Himself in covenant relationship.
All of life was a song of praise. Music and dance were not reserved for religious festivals. Instruments were played with vocal accompaniment at family celebrations all life long, as a demonstration of ones love for family; such as is seen in scripture. Marital love in the bible is always based upon an understanding of covenant relationship with God, as the basis of the marriage covenant.
Love did not end with the courtship, but continued throughout marriage, a love celebrated also in ones own family with the birth of children.
In Psalm 45, we see a well-known "troubador song," which is sung from the standpoint of a bridal relationship. So great is the love for the Lord that the tongue of the writer is described as what, in Psalm 45:1?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
In this love song, the writer speaks of posterity, or the children or offspring that shall come forth. How is this stated, in verse 17?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
The song of Solomon is a very well known cantata that is sung or spoken antiphonally, between bride and groom, and is an allegory of the love between Christ and His bride the church. In chapter 7:10-13, the posterity is seen in harvest symbols, for it is harvest time. Name some of these terms which speak of a believers "fruitfulness."
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
There was music in the royal court of Israel's kings, such as we read of in 2Samuel 19:35. Music was heard at the banquets of many of the wealthy. In Isaiah 5:12, and Isaiah 24:8-9. God gives a rebuke. What was the topic of this word from the Lord regarding some of these banquets?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
In Gen. 31:27, Jacob's father-in-law, Laban speaks of his disappointment in not being able to give what he considered a proper farewell to his family. What did such a farewell include, according to this verse?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
As David returned from the slaughter of the Philistines in I Samuel 18:6; what happened?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Song accompanied by dance was the custom when victorious armies and war heroes returned from battle. Read Judges 11;34. What famous judge of Israel had a daughter who came forth to meet and to honour him as he returned "with timbrels and dancing?"
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
The custom of an individual singing and dancing simultaneously is an ancient one, that is biblically based. Frequently, it was the prophets and priests themselves, who worshipped God in this way.
In Exodus 15, we see 90 year old Miriam the Prophetess singing and dancing on the shore of the Red Sea with her tambourine in hand, as she praises God for bringing herself, her younger brother Moses, and 3 million Israelites safely through the Red Sea, as the waters miraculously rolled back!
In Exodus 15:1, we see an example of antiphonal singing,as Moses and the children of Israel exuberantly and spontaneously sing out a song of praise to God:
"I will sing unto the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider has He thrown into the sea!"Some say that Moses and the men of Israel sang the hymn together. The Hebrew term BEN, used of "children" also means "sons."
List as many instances in scripture ass you can find, of antiphonal singing.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
A worldly concept that has crept into the church reserves any sacred dance for the youthful, and the slender, or physically fit. In Exodus 15, verse 20 however, ninety year old Miriam, was not so feeble that she could not take her tambourine in hand and go forth triumphantly in dance, with all the women of the camp with her. As Moses and the people sang, Miriam and the women answered them in song. What was this incredible anointed prophetic answer in song?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
In Numbers 12:2, what distinction does Miriam hold among the camp of Israel, as evidenced by her spontaneous prophetic song?
____________________________________________________
Workmen sang as they performed their tasks. In Isaiah 16:10, what caused the song of these workmen to cease?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Jeremiah 25:30 depicts God as a workman who shouts as He treads the grapes. What shall God do, as stated in this verse? What do the Hebrew terms for this mean?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Music and dance also accompanied mourning, laments and funerals in the nation of Israel. Mourning songs nevertheless contained an element of hope, reflected godly concepts, and faith in the one true and living God.
Read 2 Samuel 1:17-18, in which the literal translation of this song of David is entitled in the Hebrew, "The Song of the Bow." According to 2 Samuel 1:18, where was this Song of the Bow recorded, and to whom did David teach it?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Funeral dirges and dances continue in throughout the cultures of the world today. From infancy, one learns that there is comfort in the rocking motion of a mother's arms.
In Scotland, history records women dancing at the funeral of a husband. This may sound strange to us today, where dance is frequently divorced from ones faith in God. But where faith in God has been the basis for the marriage, to surrender to God the husband--the wife you have been joined in covenant relationship with, by the Spirit of God; gives peace. Though there's a natural sense of loss, yet there's the revelation fromGod's world that you will see your loved one again, in a land where there is no shadow of .
As you dance, your dance may be to comfort yourself or to bring comfort to antother, as you lift your hands to God the creator of life, and the one who holds the very times of the length of days of ones life in His hand.
Tom & Alana Campbell 5214 South 2nd Avenue, Everett, Wa. 98203-4113 (USA) Telephone: (425) 252-2981
