What does the Bible say about praise dancing?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents dancing as a fitting, joyful expression of praise and thanksgiving to God, when it arises from reverence, gratitude, and obedience rather than self-display. Psalms 149:3 and 150:4 call God’s people to praise him with dancing and music, while Psalm 150:1-6 summons everything that has breath to worship the Lord. Miriam danced after God delivered Israel at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20), and David danced before the Lord as the ark came to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14). God also promises to turn mourning into dancing and restore his people’s joy (Psalm 30:11; Jeremiah 31:13). Christian worship should therefore be joyful yet orderly, centered on God’s glory and governed by his Word.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 149:3
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
- Psalms 150:4
Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!
- Psalms 30:11
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,
- Exodus 15:20
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.
- 2 Samuel 6:14
David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
- Ecclesiastes 3:4
A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
- Jeremiah 31:13
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and 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.
- Jeremiah 31:4
Again will I build you, and you shall be built, O virgin of Israel: again shall you be adorned with your tambourines, and shall go forth in the dances of those who make merry.
- 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!
- 1 Chronicles 15:29
It happened, as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.
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