INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP

Do the Scriptures authorize the use of "instrumental music" in worship? The short answer is, YES!

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (NASB) 

PSALMS DEFINITION: Primarily denoted a striking or twitching with the fingers (on musical strings), then, a sacred song, sung to musical accompaniment, a psalm. (Work of reference: Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)

HYMN DEFINITION: A song to harp, a pulling or twanging with fingers. A sacred song or hymn. (Work of reference: Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

There is the argument that psalms found in the Old Testament    are different than the psalms in the New Testament. The meaning of the word psalm did not change when the New Covenant came into force. The Day of Pentecost did not mark the change of the meaning of the word psalm. There is not one verse of Scripture that indicates the definition of psalm has been changed or altered. There is no dictionary Greek or English that I know of that has changed the definition of psalm.

The Book of Psalms defines the meaning of a psalm.

Psalm 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. (KJB --Cambridge Ed)

A psalm was sung with musical instruments.

Psalm 81:2 Raise a song, strike the timbrel, The sweet sounding lyre with the harp. (NASB --1995)

A psalm was sung with musical instruments.

Psalm 81.2 Bring a psalm, and strike a tambourine. Play lyres and harps with their pleasant music.(GOD'S WORD Translation ---1995)

A psalm was sung with musical instruments.

Psalm 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring here the tambourine, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. (American King James Version)

A psalm was sung with musical instruments.

Psalm 81:2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. (ESV--2001)

A psalm was sung with musical instruments.

Psalm 81:2 Take up the psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with psaltery. (English Revised Version)

Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, sing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. (NKJV)

The word psalm means the same in the New Testament as it does in the Old Testament. God did not changed the meaning of psalm and men have no authority to do so.