was an instrument of this description, which was sounded when the Lord descended on Mount Sinai. The Straight Trumpet, was something after the fashion of our modern instruments bearing that name, and was made of various materials. The silver trumpet was only to be blown by the priests on solemn and special occasions.* The Harp and Psaltery were of the stringed kind. The harp seems to have resembled that of modern use, and had some times six, and at others ten strings. It seems to have been played upon by David with the hand only; + though according to Josephus, the general mode of playing it was by a plectrum; that is, a bit of wire, or cane, or some such substance. The Psaltery is often confounded with the foregoing instrument. But it resembled a bottle or flagon, from which it derived its name. Josephus speaks of it as having twelve strings, and played upon in a way similar to the harp. David often mentions them together. Of pulsatile instruments, the most common is the Tabret, Tabor, or Timbrel; they represent but one instrument, however, bearing so many different names; and resembling our drums and tamborines as described before. * Num. chap. x. ver. 1-10. 2 Sam. chap. xvi. ver. 23. Ant. book vii. chap. xii. The Cymbal consisted of two large pieces of brass plate, of a convex form, which being struck against each other, made hollow sounds.* This instrument, till very lately, formed a part in every military band; but it is very properly giving place to more acceptable ones. The Sistrum, or Cornet, was a rod of iron bent into an oval, or oblong shape; or square at two corners and curved at the others, and furnished with a number of moveable rings, so that when shaken or struck with another rod of iron, it emitted the sound desired. The number of instruments here given, may appear small; yet they were in reality greatly multiplied and varied in regard to their shape, size, strength, and peculiarity of tone, according to the varied means, taste, and scientific skill of the musician. As we have before observed, the notices which scripture makes on the nature and progress of the art, are very brief, as indeed is the case with many other customs that prevailed among the Jews. We have however so much information incidentally, or directly given in their history, as assures us that music, both vocal and instrumental, was incorporated into their military establishment;mingled its charms with their festive and social 1 Sam. chap. vi. ver. 5. assemblies;-softened and blended the sympathies of mourners on funeral and other calamitous occasions; and formed a permanent auxiliary in their public and private devotions. CHAPTER II. JEWISH MILITARY MUSIC. Instrumental music used when going to hattle-hymns sung-war of the Ammonites with Jehoshaphat-Saul and David's victories over the Philistines-its effects on Saul. ON commencing a battle, the Jews usually sounded a horn or trumpet as the signal of preparation and defiance.* Thus, when Jericho was besieged, the priests blew seven blasts on rams' horns.+ But though our translators have rendered the original, by the terms "rams' horns," it hardly could have been the horn of the animal that goes by that name, as the horn of the ram is not hollow. The horns so used are generally supposed to have been made of metallic substance, such as brass or silver. But when marching to the scene of desperate conflict, various other instruments were used to animate the spirit, and inspire the hopes of victory in the bosoms of the warriors. Vocal music also lent its aid to fan their desire for conquest, and to fill their enemies with terror, as they raised on the tremulous air, "hymns" of praise to the God of Israel. So it was when the armies of the Moabites * Num. chap. x. ver. 9. 2 Chron. chap. xiii. ver. 14. See Parkhurst. and the Ammonites came against Jehoshaphat; "he consulted with his people," and as a means of ensuring victory, "he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord sent ambushments against the children of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten."* And as music led on the people to battle, and dissipated the horrors of death in the view of splendid victory, so it added glory to their conquests, when they returned to meet the congratulations of their wives and children, and to pay their vows to the God of battles in the great congregation. The battle just noticed furnishes an instance. For the victorious army "returned every man of Judah and Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries, and harps, and trumpets, unto the house of the Lord."+ In the same style, Jephthah was welcomed by his daughter, on his return from a victorious engagement; "And Jephthah came to Mizpah unto his house, and behold his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances."‡ 2 Chron. chap. xx. ver. 21, 22 +1 Chron. chap. xx. ver. 27, 28. Judges chap. xi. ver. 34. |