Site Layout

In order to help keep track of things as you go through this site (collectively referred to and accessed on the Internet as MusicoftheBible.com), the information is divided in eight sections and organized by topic. Each section is easily accessed by means of the Table of Contents link found on the top and bottom of each page (see below).

Part I - BASICS
     As an introductory section to the overall content and information within this book, Part I additionally provides an introduction to the instruments of the Bible and a summary timeline to help keep track of when things spoken of occurred.
Part II - STORY
     This section presents a thumbnail overview into the events leading up and dealing with the evolution and development of the musical system of the Levites. It is a very good section for those unfamiliar with the Biblical texts and stories.
Part III - NOTATIONAL SYSTEMS
     For the musically educated reader, this section will probably be one of the more interesting parts of the book. In this section, we discuss the system of symbols used within the Biblical texts to notate musical tones and the methodology used to decipher the music of the Psalm manuscripts. It is a bit on the technical side and may not be the easiest section for those who do not read or write music to understand. I do however recommend that you plod through it as you are able to glean an overall sense of what is being discussed.
Part IV - MUSICAL SYSTEM
     As the musical system found within the Biblical texts not only deals with written music and lyrics, but also specific personnel and the musical instruments they utilized; this section provides detailed information regarding what the instruments looked like, how they were played and tuned, and their respective functions within the musical system of the Levites. If your are a guitarist or harpist, this area provides some real insight and background into these marvelous instruments used by the Levites and from which your own instruments may have evolved.
Part V - PSALM TRANSCRIPTIONS
     In order to see and hear how the theories presented manifest themselves when transcribed note-for-note from the Biblical texts themselves into modern music notation, this section includes selected examples of the Psalm manuscripts in both audio and written format that can be downloaded and perused.
Part VI - FINAL THOUGHTS
     Some closing thoughts about the material in this book.
Part VII - APPENDICES
     This in a valuable resource of additional information regarding the music found within the Biblical texts and the Psalm manuscripts. Presently this includes some extensive concordances, the Psalm superscriptions, lexicon of miscellaneous musical terms and phrases, etc. New material is constantly being added as it becomes available for your study and reference purposes.
Part VIII - SOME EXTRA STUFF
     This bonus section has some great areas to explore. The initial section tells a little about myself and will help you better understand my background from both a religious and musical standpoint. The next section entitled, The Kings, is a scripturally based musical dealing with the lives of the Saul and David, the first two kings of Israel. The show is presented in its entirety with audio and lyrics sheets. The Music I Wrote Along the Way is a catalogue of some of the music and compositions I have written throughout the years and includes over forty original classical and jazz guitar compositions and transcriptions that can be downloaded in audio and written format. The last section has some of the words and thoughts that I have written throughout my life.

     Throughout this site, you will find numerous audio (.mp3) and sheet music (.pdf) files that can be downloaded and enjoyed immediately. One copy can be downloaded for your personal usage and reference without any accompanying royalty fees. For public performance, recording, or any other usage, please contact us at info@MusicoftheBible.com so that appropriate licenses can be issued.
     For the sheet music files, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This is a free program and can be obtained directly from Adobe Systems for no charge (note: there are some very disreputable sites that charge a hefty fee for this free software and then redirect you back to the Adobe site - there is no charge from Adobe Systems for this software).

Table of Contents