The Bible uses songs to demonstrate the joy and comfort brought by faith in God. Using various instruments, believers are seen to communicate their exultation and reverence for God musically, underlining music’s significant role in Christian worship and life.
Who Uses Music in the Bible?
Music appears remarkably early in the Bible, with Jubal identified as “the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes” (Genesis). Characters like David, King Saul, and even Jesus, are presented using music. David, the composer of many Psalms, used music as an outlet for both joy and sorrow. When Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, David would play the harp to calm him. During the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn before heading out to the Mount of Olives. These instances evidencing the use of music are scattered throughout the Bible.
What Role Does Music Play in the Bible?
Music serves multiple roles in biblical accounts. Primarily, it is a profound method of praise, a common thread seen across the Old and New Testament alike. For instance, the Book of Psalms, often referred to as the Bible’s songbook, is filled with songs of praise and worship to God. Additionally, in the New Testament, Paul encourages believers to use songs and hymns to express spiritual truths. Furthermore, music is depicted serving healing purposes; King Saul’s torment was eased by David’s instrumental music.
Why is Music Essential in Worship According to the Bible?
According to the Bible, music is a potent medium for worshipping God, reflecting the joy and peace that comes from dedication to the Lord. The Bible frequently encourages believers to praise God with song and to make a joyful noise unto the Lord through instruments. It includes detailed instructions on how to use musical instruments during worship, suggesting the use of stringed instruments, pipes, and percussion in praising God. Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians further encourages believers to use songs, hymns, and spiritual songs during worship, highlighting the essential role of music in spiritual expression.
When is Music Employed in the Bible?
Various occasions call for music in the context of the Bible. Apart from regular worship, music is associated with special celebrations and solemn occasions. Whether during feasts or on the battlefield, in times of joy or lament, music serves as an expressive constant. The victory song of Moses and the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea, David’s song of deliverance, and laments over the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan, showcase the range of instances when music is employed in the Bible.
Where is Music Referred to in the Bible?
Music permeates a multitude of books in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. The Book of Psalms is known for its musical footprint, as it primarily consists of songs and hymns. But references to music extend beyond the Psalms to books like Exodus, Chronicles, Job, and even Revelation, where it often revolves around praise, worship, lament, and celebration. In the New Testament, Ephesians and Colossians specifically lay stress on music as a crucial component in Christian worship.
Below is the full list of bible verses on music (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Music
Ephesians 5:19
“19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Colossians 3:16
“16 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.”
Psalm 105:2
“2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.”
Related Themes: Singing
Psalm 95:1
“1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”
Related Themes: Singing Worship Singing Thankfulness
Psalm 150:1-6
“1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
Related Themes: Earth Creativity Singing
Psalm 104:33
“33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”
Related Themes: Singing
James 5:13
“13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”
Related Themes: Singing Sadness Prayer Hopelessness
Hebrews 2:12
“12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”
Psalm 71:23
“23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.”
Acts 16:25
“25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
1 Corinthians 14:15
“15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”
Related Themes: Singing Benevolence
Psalm 150:4
“4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.”
Related Themes: Singing
Psalm 149:3
“3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.”
Related Themes: Creativity Worship Singing Dancing
Ecclesiastes 7:5
“5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.”
Psalm 144:9
“9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.”
Related Themes: Creativity Singing
Psalm 40:3
“3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”
Related Themes: New Beginnings Singing New Life Worship
Psalm 150:1
“1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.”
Related Themes: Earth Creativity Singing
Proverbs 25:20
“20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.”
Amos 6:5
“5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;”
2 Chronicles 5:13
“13 It came even to pass, as 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 musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;”
Psalm 57:7
“7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”
Related Themes: Singing
Revelation 14:3
“3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”
Exodus 15:1
“1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Singing
1 Samuel 16:23
“23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
Related Themes: Singing
Luke 15:25
“25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Inheritance
Job 21:12
“12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.”
2 Samuel 6:5
“5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.”
Psalm 95:2
“2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
Related Themes: Thankfulness
Amos 5:23
“23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.”