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Music's Human Origin

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  • Oct 22, 2018

Music, vocal and instrumental, played a significant role in the organized institutionalized worship of ancient Israel. It was an accepted constituent of religious self-expression. Nevertheless, Israel differed from other countries of the ancient world in that biblical traditions did not ascribe a divine origin to music. The traditions of the Book of Genesis view musical instruments as a purely human and secular innovation.

Nahum Sarna, On the Book of Psalms: Exploring the Prayers of Ancient Israel, 6 & 7.