A lot has been said over the last few years about a new sound coming to the church—a sound coming straight from His throne and His heart. And I am in complete agreement on this. While this new sound will bring us rich and unique songs and singers, it will also exhibit skilled instrumentation at a level we've not always seen or allowed in the church. Drums, guitars, keyboards, and especially indigenous sounds will all play key roles in unlocking powerful Kingdom notes, tones, and vibrations.
Psalm 33:2-5 says the following, "Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; sing praises to Him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound. For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord."
Notice verse three says to "play skillfully with a loud and joyful sound." Within these scriptures we find instruction. If we are to play in the King's courts, we must do so with precision, understanding of technique, and at the same time, a joyful, childlike heart. This comes from two primary areas—knowing one's musical instrument well and knowing the Lord even better. We should never be merely trying to copy or keep up with the world's music, but we should be so committed to His sound that we lead the world in artistic innovation and musical accomplishment.
David knew much about playing skillfully before the king. Even when he was a young shepherd boy, he was called to play before King Saul to drive evil spirits away. There was a sensitivity in this young man that balanced authority in musicianship and nearness to the Lord.
As king himself David appointed anointed musicians to play before the King of Kings around the clock; there were actually more musicians than singers. David's tabernacle, as far as we can tell, employed 4000 musicians and 288 singers. The musicians like the singers were expected to flow in prophetic song. "Moreover, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals;" 1 Chronicles 25:1.
It's very interesting to note that 1 Chronicles 25 starts by showing leaders of an army selecting musicians. Likewise the sound that is coming will be one selected by the greatest captain—the Captain of the Lord of Hosts. This sound will exhibit tremendous authority—authority for miracles to breakthrough, the lost to come to Him, true revelation to be released, and new innovation to be established. This sound will help to prepare the way for the coming for our Lord!