This is a short introduction to the above title which looks at our Hebraic Jewish roots from sources showing the foundations of our faith which is clearly Hebraic in thought, writing and teaching that the Holy Scriptures attest to.
First Book Source – ‘Our Father Abraham.’ Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith by Marvin R. Wilson. Centre for Judaic Christian Studies. 1989.
(Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids. Michigan.)
Page 155-156. Some contemporary forms of church worship may appear to be a bit boisterous or too extemporaneous for those of us with more subdued and orderly Western tastes. But we should not forget that Hebrew worship including prayer and the study of the holy books was no sedate or dreary event.
It included dancing with tambourine (Psalm 149:3’ 150:4), all kinds of instruments including trumpets and cymbals (Psalm 150), singing (Psalm 33:3), hand clapping (Psalm 47:1), and even shouting joyfully (Psalm 95:1) *
(* But let us bear in mind the N.T. command by Sha’ul/Paul – ‘let all things be done decently and in order.’ 1 Corinthians 14:40.)
For the Hebrews, praise was the basic token of being alive; it was the way to observe the command, “You shall meditate on it day and night.”
To the Hebrew mind everything is theological. That is, the Hebrews make no distinction between the sacred and the secular areas of life. They see all of life as a unity. It is all God’s domain. He has a stake in all that comes to pass, whether trials or joys.
Second Book Source – The Holy Bible. The Book of the 150 Psalms.
The psalms were the hymn book of Israel and in particular the Hallel Psalms 120 to 134. These 15 psalms were known as the ‘Songs of Ascent being the songs the Israelites sang on their way up to Yerushalayim. Their capital and ours during the Millennium rule of our Lord Yeshua. The nations will send representatives each year to give thanks and praise and those that don’t will have no rain! Rain brings showers of blessings to refresh us and the earth.
The Book of Psalms came to be known as Sepher Tehillim, The Book of Praises. They were sung to the accompaniment of several musical instruments.