What does the Bible say about music in church?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that music in the church is a joyful, reverent means of praising God, proclaiming his Word, and building up his people. Psalms 150:1-6 calls every living creature to praise the Lord with voice and instruments, while Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19 emphasize singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that let Christ's word dwell richly among believers. In gathered worship, singing should serve understanding, peace, and edification, as 1 Corinthians 14:15, 26 teaches. James 5:13 also commends singing in response to God's goodness. Whether simple or accompanied, church music should be shaped by Scripture, offered from the heart, and directed chiefly to God's glory rather than human display.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 150:1-6
[1] Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power! [2] Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness! [3] Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre! [4] Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute! [5] Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals! [6] Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!
- Ephesians 5:19
speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and singing praises in your heart to the Lord;
- James 5:13
Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises.
- 1 Corinthians 14:26
What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
- 1 Corinthians 14:15
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.
- Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
- Psalms 71:23
My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!
- Hebrews 2:12
saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."
- Luke 15:25
"Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
- Nehemiah 12:27
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
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