1 Chronicles 25 · a question people ask
What does it mean to "prophesy with harps"?
The chapter uses the word three times, and twice it names a harp with it. The sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun were set apart as those "who were to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals" (25:1). Asaph "prophesied at the order of the king" (25:2). And Jeduthun "prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD with the harp" (25:3) (tap prophesy). Strong's gives the verb as "to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)". Other verses set music and prophecy side by side. Samuel told Saul of "a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a lute, a tambourine, a pipe, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying" (1 Samuel 10:5). Elisha said, "But now bring me a musician", and "When the musician played, the LORD’s hand came on him" (2 Kings 3:15). Later, 2 Chronicles tells how "the LORD’s Spirit came on Jahaziel", a Levite "of the sons of Asaph" (2 Chronicles 20:14), and he gave the LORD's word to Judah (2 Chronicles 20:15). This chapter says what Jeduthun's prophesying was in: "in giving thanks and praising the LORD" (25:3). It doesn't say whether the singers also spoke words from the LORD, or what anyone sang, and this answer doesn't go further than the verses.
The verses
““After that you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is; and it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a lute, a tambourine, a pipe, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying.”
“But now bring me a musician.” When the musician played, the LORD’s hand came on him.”
“Then the LORD’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly; and he said, “Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat. The LORD says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed because of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”