On some religious festival the congregation of Israel waited expectantly in the sanctuary to begin their worship, summoned perhaps by the musician or a priest to “sing” and “begin the music”: Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. (Ps 81:1–4) It
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