What does the Bible say about singing?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents singing as a joyful, reverent response to God’s saving grace, a means of worship, mutual encouragement, and trust in every season. Believers are called to sing with gratitude, letting Christ’s word dwell richly among them as they teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19). The Psalms summon God’s people to come before him with gladness, thanksgiving, and loud praise because he is their Creator, King, and Shepherd (Psalms 100:1-2; Psalms 95:1-2; Psalms 147:1). Singing also sustains faith in suffering, as Paul and Silas prayed and sang in prison (Acts 16:25). God himself rejoices over his redeemed people with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 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 100:1-2
[1] > Shout for joy to Yahweh, all you lands! [2] Serve Yahweh with gladness. Come before his presence with singing.
- Psalms 95:1-2
[1] Oh come, let's sing to Yahweh. Let's shout aloud to the rock of our salvation! [2] Let's come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let's extol him with songs!
- Ephesians 5:19
speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and singing praises in your heart to the Lord;
- Acts 16:25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
- Psalms 147:1
Praise Yah, For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.
- Psalms 104:33
I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
- Zephaniah 3:17
Yahweh, your God, is in the midst of you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will rest in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
- James 5:13
Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises.
- Psalms 95:1
Oh come, let's sing to Yahweh. Let's shout aloud to the rock of our salvation!
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- See MUSIC
See also
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about singing and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about singing