What does the Bible say about dancing in the church?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible permits dancing as a fitting expression of joy, celebration, and praise to God, while calling all worship to be governed by reverence, order, and love. Psalms 149:3 and 150:4 include dance among the ways God’s people may praise him, and Psalm 150:1-6 summons every living thing to worship the Lord. David danced before the Lord when the ark came to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14), and Miriam led Israel’s women in joyful celebration after deliverance (Exodus 15:20). Scripture also recognizes dancing in seasons of restored joy (Jeremiah 31:13; Psalm 30:11). Yet outward movement is never a substitute for faith, humility, and gospel-centered worship.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 149:3 11 votes
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
- Psalms 150:4 10 votes
Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!
- 2 Samuel 6:14 9 votes
David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.
- Ecclesiastes 3:4 9 votes
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
- Jeremiah 31:13 8 votes
Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
- Luke 15:25 7 votes
“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
- Psalms 30:11 6 votes
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,
- Exodus 15:20 6 votes
Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.
- 1 Samuel 18:6 3 votes
As they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.
- Psalms 150:1-6 2 votes
Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power! Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre! Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute! Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!
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