We’ve all seen the image: an angel sometimes an adorable cherub, sitting on a cloud, playing his harp. But where did that harp come from? The Bible contains no references to angels playing harps, so why has this instrument come to be associated with angels?
In the history of Western music, harps can be traced all the way back to the Ancient Greek times. Artifacts and pictographs would show the gods would often be seen playing lyres, almost considered to be a mini-harp of sorts. A lyre is is plucked string instrument that produces a soft tone. It is held in front of the musician’s chest and has 3-8 asymmetrical strings. The mysteriousness of the gods playing these instruments may have contributed to the idea that the lyre or harp is associated to divine or heavenly music.
Another common idea mentioned in music history textbooks is musica universalis or music of the spheres. Back before telescopes were invented, the Earth was thought to be the center of the universe. The sun, moon, stars, and planets revolved around it in their own transparent spheres, with the help of heavenly angels. It was believed that as the spheres moved, they resonated with each other — just like string on a harp — and produced a sublime music all their own.
Is there such a thing as heavenly music? If there is, does it involve angels playing harps or is that just a romanticized idea of what heaven is really like?
Harps in the Bible
The first mention of harps in the Bible is associated with the talented and skillful Jubal (Genesis 4:21). Another mention is when Jacob secretly left Laban’s home. He was overtaken by his father-in-law in Gilead and at the chance of conversation, Laban said to him that he would’ve have sent him away with his blessings along with songs, a tablet and a harp (Genesis 31:27)
Later on, we see the students of the school of the prophets would prophecy with harp (1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Chronicles 25:3). And we also know the famous story of David and his ministry of music therapy to Saul (1 Samuel 16).
The Psalms are replete with the usage of harps in worship. In fact it was almost always used as an accompaniment to praise in singing (Psalm 33:2, Psalm 71:22, Psalm 98:5, Psalm 147:7, Psalm 149:3).
I would like to mention though that while the harp was used to in ancient Bible times to worship and praise God as well as to minister to other people, there is no reason to conclude that they were “sacred” or “holier” instruments. On the contrary, both the harp and the lyre are presented many times by the prophets in association with prostitutes, drinking, and reveling (Isaiah 5:12, 23:16, 24:8-9, Amos 6:5)
None of these verses reveal to us though about the nature of music in heaven. Thankfully, the Spirit of Prophecy reveals to us many instances of the angels deeply involved in music-making, particularly in playing the harp. Here are some of them:
1 || There’s an order and method of playing the harp in heaven
In vision, Ellen White described that there was an order in how music was played. She described that the music was perfect and that in coming out of vision she noticed the stark comparison of the music here on earth, which is “harsh and discordant”!
About the order, she further described that she has seen companies of angels “who stood in a hollow square, everyone having a harp of gold. At the end of the harp was an instrument to turn to set the harp or change the tunes. Their fingers did not sweep over the strings carelessly, but they touched different strings to produce different sounds.” Counsels to the Church, p. 172, par. 3.
The angels did not play on their time. She wrote that “There is one angel who always leads, who first touches the harp and strikes the note, then all join in the rich, perfect music of heaven. It cannot be described. It is melody, heavenly, divine, while from every countenance beams the image of Jesus, shining with glory unspeakable.” Ibid.
In the Story of Redemption, she gives more details that before sin, “Satan had led the heavenly choir. He had raised the first note; then all the angelic host had united with him, and glorious strains of music had resounded through heaven in honor of God and His dear Son.” Story of Redemption, p. 25.
2 || Every harp was hushed when man fell into sin
We are all familiar with the story of creation. We know about Adam and Eve being placed in the Garden of Eden, and that they were permitted to eat of all the trees in the garden except one. What we don’t know is how heaven reacted when this couple broke God’s command and became sinners.
“The news of man’s fall spread through heaven. Every harp was hushed. The angels cast their crowns from their heads in sorrow. All heaven was in agitation. A council was held to decide what must be done with the guilty pair. The angels feared that they would put forth the hand, and eat of the tree of life, and become immortal sinners. But God said that He would drive the transgressors from the garden. Angels were immediately commissioned to guard the way of the tree of life. It had been Satan’s studied plan that Adam and Eve should disobey God, receive His frown, and then partake of the tree of life, that they might live forever in sin and disobedience, and thus sin be immortalized. But holy angels were sent to drive them out of the garden, and to bar their way to the tree of life. Each of these mighty angels had in his right hand something which had the appearance of a glittering sword.” Early Writings, p. 148, par. 2.
3 || No harp was touched while Jesus prayed at Gethsemane
Jesus’ experience in Gethsemane is one scene we have to replay over and over in our minds. Here we see Him suffering on the weight of sin, and the agony he felt at the thought of separating His unity with His Father. What’s more, he bore this awful weight knowing that He cannot exert His Divine power to escape it!
Here, everything was at stake. If He failed here, there is no hope left for humanity. All would be lost, and the human race will forever be in Satan’s power. From Christ’s pale lips came the bitter cry, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me,” yet He added, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Three times, He pleaded with God, and each time left Him in more agony than before. Sweats of blood formed on His brow that Isaiah described “His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” (Isaiah 52:14).
As the Spirit of Prophecy continued to describe this terrible scene, it opens the curtain to what no human eye can see.
“The Saviour trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him. But God suffered with His Son. Angels beheld the Saviour’s agony. They saw their Lord enclosed by legions of satanic forces, His nature weighed down with a shuddering, mysterious dread. There was silence in heaven. No harp was touched. Could mortals have viewed the amazement of the angelic host as in silent grief they watched the Father separating His beams of light, love, and glory from His beloved Son, they would better understand how offensive in His sight is sin.” Desire of Ages, p. 693.
Read the complete chapter on Gethsemane here.
4 || Crowns and harps will be given to those who overcome sin
“I saw a very great number of angels bring from the city glorious crowns—a crown for every saint, with his name written thereon. As Jesus called for the crowns, angels presented them to Him, and with His own right hand the lovely Jesus placed the crowns on the heads of the saints. In the same manner the angels brought the harps, and Jesus presented them also to the saints. The commanding angels first struck the note, and then every voice was raised in grateful, happy praise; and every hand skillfully swept over the strings of the harp, sending forth melodious music in rich and perfect strains.” Adventist Home, p. 537, par. 2.
HYMNS THAT INCLUDE ANGELS AND THE REDEEMED PLAYING HARPS
5 || When Adam is reinstated, he would play a harp and lead the redeemed in praise to God
“As the ransomed are welcomed to the city of God, there rings out an exultant cry. The two Adams are about to meet. The Son of God is to receive the father of our race—whom He created, who sinned, and for whose sin the marks of the crucifixion are on the Saviour’s form. As Adam discerns the prints of the nails, in humiliation he casts himself at Christ’s feet. The Saviour lifts him up and bids him look once more upon the Eden home from which he has so long been exiled.
Adam’s life was filled with sorrow. Every dying leaf, every victim of sacrifice, every stain upon man’s purity, was a reminder of his sin. Terrible was the agony of remorse as he met the reproaches cast upon himself as the cause of sin. Faithfully did he repent of his sin, and he died in the hope of a resurrection. Now, through the atonement, Adam is reinstated.
Transported with joy, he beholds the trees that were once his delight, whose fruit he himself had gathered in the days of his innocence. He sees the vines his own hands trained, the very flowers he once loved to care for. This is indeed Eden restored!
The Saviour leads him to the tree of life and bids him eat. He beholds a multitude of his family redeemed. Then he casts his crown at the feet of Jesus and embraces the Redeemer. He touches the harp, and the vaults of heaven echo the triumphant song: “Worthy, worthy, is the Lamb that was slain.” Revelation 5:12. The family of Adam cast their crowns at the Saviour’s feet as they bow in adoration. Angels wept at the fall of Adam and rejoiced when Jesus opened the grave for all who should believe on His name. Now they behold the work of redemption accomplished and unite their voices in praise.” From Here to Forever, p. 391-2
What do you think? Do you think angels play harps in heaven? Let me know what you think on the comment section below.
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