Matthew Jacoby is the leader of Sons of Korah, “an Australian based band devoted to giving a fresh voice to the biblical psalms.” Click below to hear an interview I did with Matthew year before last on the release of his book about the Psalms, Deeper Places: Experiencing God in the Psalms.
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From the Sons of Korah website:
Sons of Korah is an Australian based band devoted to giving a fresh voice to the biblical psalms. The Psalms have been the primary source for the worship traditions of both Judaism and Christianity going right back to ancient times. With their unique acoustic, multi-ethnic sound Sons of Korah have given this biblical songbook a dynamic and emotive new musical expression. They endeavour to lead their listeners into an impacting encounter with this book that is often described as the ‘heart’ of the bible. From lamentation to songs of jubilant praise, from battle cry to benediction, from exclamation of awe and wonder to reflections of tranquillity and perfect wisdom, Sons of Korah provide a compelling portrait of the world and experience of the psalms.
Sons of Korah believe that the psalms contain a particularly pertinent message for today. They are the supreme biblical portrayal of the spiritual life in all its facets and dynamics. They speak powerfully to a postmodern world that is generally more interested in what the biblical faith looks like from the inside than its abstract doctrinal expression. And for the church today the psalms present a deep and rich spiritual well for prayer and worship. The psalms were originally written as songs and they were intended to be expressed musically. The best way to meditate on God’s word is to use music and indeed this was one of dominant original purposes of the psalms. Sons of Korah invite their listeners to discover, through their music, the way in which the psalms can impact our lives today.
How did they choose a name like “Sons of Korah’? I can’t understand why anyone would want to named after that lot.
Brian,
The name “Sons of Korah” comes from a group of Old Testament Levitical musicians to whom at least 13 of the Psalms are attributed.
To read about how the original Sons of Korah are a testimony to God’s grace, please see the “About” section on the Sons of Korah website: sonsofkorah.com.
I agree with you, Mel and with the “Sons of Korah”, Music is extremely important in all our lives and culture!! I personally believe God sang us into existence, and that his music notes make up our DNA, that’s why music is so spiritual and can be used for good or evil! Music is used by many to infuse lust, and violence into the soul, and can be used to bring a lost soul closer to the Lord and repentance! David would play his music and Saul who was full of hate and demons, would become calm and stop trying to kill David. Music has been used by many to remember old flames and just cry in their beer, and has been used to worship the God of Israel!! Whenever the Israelites went out to war, they would set the singers first!! Their is power in music, especially Godly music that is infused with a clean heart and the Holy spirit!! I love to worship the Lord!! The one who was, and is and is to come!! The great “I am”…. there is great power and healing in worship, and music helps a lot in that area!!! I myself have received many wonderful songs from the Lord, which I have am very grateful for. Songs that teach me, and help me to worship and help me to know his word, and trust in his word!!! Keep up the good work, “Sons of Korah” our world needs more worshipers and singers for Christ!!!