1 Corinthians 13:1 English Standard Version (ESV) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

I am sure that everyone recognized the conclusion of yesterday’s post. This is the first line of the love chapter entitled The Way of Love.

Why did Paul use the examples of a gong and a cymbal to associate the lack of love? First impulse is to admit it is the inspired word of God and that Paul was inspired to include these musical instruments at God’s direction. That means that God has a message for us in their use.

The gong and cymbal are musical instruments that are not solo instruments. They are used primarily as instruments of inclusion, with purpose and precision. Alone, they sound out of place.

A cymbal is often used to denote tempo but does not carry the melody. It may help us keep pace but does not inspire us to sing.

The gong is dramatic, loud and emphatic. In music it often is used dramatically by being struck with a stick covered with a soft material such as leather or rubber. Where it is struck by the musician controls how it sounds. By itself it cannot make music.

Both require a choir master to have any real value.

We can be a gong or a cymbal and still have value, if we are led by Christ.

The point of reference is in the use of our tongues. Of men or of angels is irrelevant if Christ is not our choir master.

Man can inspire us and say things worth repeating. Angels are messengers of God and we want to be messengers. If we repeat what we have heard without taking direction from Christ, we have not made music.

Luke 17:17-19

English Standard Version

¹⁷ Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”^{[has saved you]}

In the New Testament the word praise is ainos Strong’s number G135 primarily “a tale, narration,” came to denote “praise;” in the NT only of praise to God. That is a narrative, not a song. BLB.ORG

It is also epanios Strong’s number G1868 a strengthened form of No. 1 (epi, upon), denotes “approbation, commendation, praise;” it is used of those on account of, and by reason of, whom as God’s heritage, “praise” is to be ascribed to God, in respect of His glory (the exhibition of His character and operations), of the whole company, the church, viewed as “God’s own possession” (RV);  with particular reference to the glory of His grace towards them; as the result of “the fruits of righteousness” manifested in them through the power of Christ; BLB.ORG

The only similarity between yada and our current use of praise is one sign which is symbolized in both views of praise, a raising up of ones hands, as if casting our praise upward towards God. We do that during worship which is a manifestation of praise. This is demonstrated as the result of “the fruits of righteousness” manifested in them through the power of Christ.

It is the power of Christ in us that makes it possible to praise God. Without the power of Christ in us it only “sounds like praise” but it is not praise. That is the similarity found in Leah’s naming of her sons by Jacob.

It doesn’t matter what you call it, if the power of Christ is not present, praise is just “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

John 4:24 English Standard Version (ESV) God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.