Music in Biblical Life: The Roles of Song in Ancient Israel
"[Friedmann] proposes that Israel's birth as a free nation was marked by the Song of the Sea, its monarchic system was defined by the archetypal musician-king David, its moral and ethical guidelines were often received through musical prophecy, and its appointed institution for mediating worship was designed and officiated by priestly musicians. He also argues that Israel was more musically developed than neighboring civilizations."