s of music, psalteries and harps and
cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy." [3]

There is not much "joy" like that behind most of the choir curtains in
our day; but by such means one would be pretty sure of good music. We
are not told whether the women took part in the ordinary public music
in the temple; but on all special occasions of deliverance and
thanksgiving they had their full share. We people in this Western
world are so silent in our joy as in our grief,--as apt to bow the head
for gladness as for sorrow,--we know nothing like those grand
spontaneous bursts of music that once resounded on the shores of the
Red Sea, or echoed through the hill country round about Jerusalem.

"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord,
saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously."
[4]

That was from the men. And answering them came the softer voices of
Miriam and "all the women," cheering them on:

"Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously." [5]

This was no written music they had met to practise; it was fresh out of
their hearts; with all their enemies "dead upon the shore," and Israel
free.

Or listen to the chorus of women that "came out of all the cities of
Israel" to meet the army, when David had conquered the Philistine in
single-handed fight.

"And the women answered one another as they played, and said,

"Saul hath slain his thousands"--

"And David his ten thousands"--

You perceive that they understood music in those days; every word in
the great swell of song so distinct, that Saul heard every word--and
"was very wroth."

So "at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem" (think of _dedicating_
a city wall! how they must have believed Ps. 127) the dedication was
kept

"With gladness, both with thanksgiving, and with singing, with cymbals,
psalteries, and harps." [6]

And as the bands of people went up to Jerusalem to the three great
feasts, they sang and chanted from time to time as they marched along,
the Levites at their head beginning the song, and the rest joining in.

"I was glad when they said unto me--" [7]

"As the mountains are round about Jerusalem" [8]--and all the rest. Ah
what music! You see the Bible is a great favourer of sweet sounds.

But all this, you will say, was public and special,--not meant for
recreation. Let us listen to the Bible music which is private and
personal, and you will find it every b