The Bible and Music

I really enjoyed listening to the Arabic cantors chant Psalm 134. I was surprised by the complexity of the performance. The cantors harmonized so elegantly and created remarkable variance in pitch. I typically associate the Arabic language with the practice of Islam, but I realize that many practicing Christians speak Arabic. Furthermore, Christ lived and carried out his mission in regions where Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic were spoken. I found that this psalm sounded just as beautiful if not more beautiful when it was performed in Arabic. The use of Arabic made me feel like I had traveled back to the time of Christ. As I listened to the psalm, I closed my eyes and pictured cantors chanting the lyrics in a biblical setting. Additionally, I felt as though I was able to grasp the original sentiments of the author of the psalm.