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Ultimately, we should understand the music we listen to. “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding,“ (1 Corinthians 14:15).
Sources: (Equation of Hope)
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King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, for instance, is said to have used music to convince people to worship his image instead of God.
The passage continues: “But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
Some music can draw us away from God. Isaiah 5:12 tells us that: “The harp and the strings, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; but they do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands.”
However, the Bible tells us to beware of songs of fools. “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools,” (Ecclesiastes 7:5).
James 5:13 reads: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
While music can have a positive impact on our lives, some biblical passages also argue that music can also be used by the Devil.
The story is detailed in Daniel 3:15: “Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good!”
Music can be beneficial when we go through difficult times and generate a positive effect. Acts 16:25 gives us an example: “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
Music has a powerful effect and indeed can refresh us and lift us up, like it did with Saul. “And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him,” (1 Samuel 16:23).
The return of the prodigal son was celebrated with music, so it shows how it can be used to mark important, joyful events. “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing,” (Luke 15:25).
The Bible tells us that music can edify others. The idea is put forward in 1 Corinthians 14:26, which reads: “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”
Music has been used for millennia to celebrate victories, including the triumph of God. Moses is known to have sang a victory song, according to Exodus 15:1.
The passage reads: “Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: 'I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!'”
Music can be used to express our gratitude towards God and his work. "When the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: 'For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,' that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud," (2 Chronicles 5:13).
The word of Christ can inspire songs of worship, according to Colossians 3:16. The Bible verse reads: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Having music in our lives is a way to worship God forever. “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being,” (Psalm 104:33).
The Lord puts songs in our mouths for a reason. Psalm 40:3 reads: “He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.”
Believers come together to worship God with music. “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation,” (Psalm 95:1).
Another reference to King David and music can be found in 1 Chronicles 15:16. It reads: “Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.”
“Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals,” (2 Samuel 6:5).
Everything we do, according to 1 Corinthians 10:31, is done to glorify God. This includes the music we listen to and perform. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
This approach is also found in Psalm 105:2, which tells us: “Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!”
According to the Bible, various instruments can be used to praise God. For instance, we can “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes,” (Psalm 150:4).
Enter any church, regardless of denomination, and you will find some kind of music there.
Whether led by a choir, a band, a single musician, or singer, religious melodies are used as a way to praise God. Therefore, they’re frequently included in the act of worship.
Ephesians 5:19 emphasizes that songs are a method that can be used to praise the Lord. It reads: “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
There are more references to instruments used to praise God, namely the harp, used by King David of Israel, who was renowned for his skills.
Music is one of the oldest art forms. It has been used in religious contexts for millennia as a popular form of worshiping God—virtually every church does it, but what does the Bible actually say about it? Many songs are mentioned in the holy book, but what does that say about music in general?
In this gallery, we delve deep into the Bible and bring you the answer to this question. Click on to find out more!
What does the Bible say about music?
From worshiping God to a Devil's tool
MUSIC Religion
Music is one of the oldest art forms. It has been used in religious contexts for millennia as a popular form of worshiping God—virtually every church does it, but what does the Bible actually say about it? Many songs are mentioned in the holy book, but what does that say about music in general?
In this gallery, we delve deep into the Bible and bring you the answer to this question. Click on to find out more!