What does the Bible say about praise dance in church?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents dancing as a fitting, joyful expression of praise to God when it flows from reverence, gratitude, and obedience to his Word. Psalms 149:3 and 150:4 call God’s people to praise him with dancing and instruments, while Psalm 150:1 anchors such praise in God’s sanctuary and mighty works. David danced before the Lord with wholehearted joy as the ark came to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6:14. Miriam and the women celebrated God’s deliverance after the exodus in Exodus 15:20. Yet Christian worship should seek God’s glory rather than performance, be governed by biblical wisdom, and build up the gathered church in orderly, humble joy.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 149:3 8 votes
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
- Psalms 150:4 6 votes
Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!
- 2 Samuel 6:14 5 votes
David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.
- Jeremiah 31:4 5 votes
I will build you again, and you will be built, O virgin of Israel. You will again be adorned with your tambourines, and will go out in the dances of those who make merry.
- Exodus 15:20 5 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.
- Ecclesiastes 3:4 4 votes
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
- Psalms 150:1 4 votes
Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!
- 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.
- Jeremiah 31:13 3 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.
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