What musical instruments are appropriate in a worship service? - Music - TouchPoints

Nehemiah 12:27-28, 31, 41-42For the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites throughout the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. They were to take part in the joyous occasion with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps, and lyres. The singers were brought together from the region around Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites. . . . I led the leaders of Judah to the top of the wall and organized two large choirs to give thanks. One of the choirs proceeded southward along the top of the wall to the Dung Gate. . . . We went together with the trumpet-playing priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah— and the singers—Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam, and Ezer. They played and sang loudly under the direction of Jezrahiah the choir director.

Psalm 150:3-5Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals.

Any instrument can help people praise God! The priests and Levites used percussion, strings, and brass. Psalm 150 expands this list. The question is not which instruments are appropriate for worship. The question is how we most effectively energize a worshiping community to praise the God “loudly and clearly” (Nehemiah 12:42). The Bible puts far more emphasis on exuberant praise to God than on what instruments are appropriate for offering the praise.