What does the Bible say about musical instruments in church?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible permits and commends musical instruments as fitting aids to the joyful, reverent praise of God, while placing the heart, the Word, and congregational edification above outward display. Psalms 150:3-5 and Psalm 98:4-6 call God’s people to praise him with trumpet, strings, flute, and cymbals, and 1 Chronicles 23:5 records instruments appointed for temple worship. Yet Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 especially emphasize singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as the Word of Christ dwells richly among believers. James 5:13 joins cheerfulness with singing praise. Therefore churches may use instruments wisely and gratefully, but they should serve clear, heartfelt worship rather than distract from prayer, Scripture, preaching, and sung praise.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 150:1-6 6 votes
[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!
- Psalms 150:3-5 4 votes
[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!
- Ephesians 5:19 4 votes
speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and singing praises in your heart to the Lord;
- James 5:13 3 votes
Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises.
- Psalms 33:3 2 votes
Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
- Colossians 3:16 2 votes
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 98:4-6 2 votes
[4] Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises! [5] Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, With the harp and the voice of melody. [6] With trumpets and sound of the ram's horn, Make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.
- Genesis 4:21 2 votes
His brother's name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe.
- 1 Corinthians 14:15 2 votes
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.
- 1 Chronicles 23:5 2 votes
and four thousand were doorkeepers; and four thousand praised Yahweh with the instruments which I made, [said David], for giving praise.
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