What Does The Bible Say About Music?

Music is stored up in the hearts of every believer whether they are gifted or not. We’re spiritually wired to sing praises to God through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. In our greatest moments to the deepest days of despair—there is music within each of us.

However, all music doesn’t point to God or edify believers in their spiritual walk. Music has a way of entangling itself into our minds and souls. It can be difficult to silence unholy music that we may have entertained in our days before knowing Christ. Yet the Lord reigns over all and those who invest enough time into listening and singing Christian music will find their heart inundated with praise.

Music is an expression of praise and worship to God.

“Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp” (Psalm 147:7).

The Lord gifted the birds to sing a lovely melody to Him early in the morning. More than the creatures of the earth—as spiritual people, we have the ability to praise and worship the Lord in song and/or with musical instruments. There is a supernatural flow of adulation that is birthed in the hearts of those who love God and want to please Him.

Music can be used for idol worship.

“As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up” (Daniel 3:5)

Nebuchadnezzar’s idol was set up for all people to worship. He used music as the prompter for everyone to drop what they were doing and fall to their knees towards it. There was an abundance of musical instruments used to usher in worship of an idol. Yet Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego challenged the king’s edict, were thrown in a fiery furnace, and delivered by the only One and True God who deserves all worship.

Music is a part of the assemblying of believers.

“They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem” (1 Chronicles 6:31-32).

Before David’s death, he made certain that Solomon had everything in place for the building of the temple. Among the many tons of wood, gold, silver, skilled blacksmiths and workers—David made sure there were musicians trained and experienced to lead the people into worship to God. The glory of God fell so heavily upon the temple that the priests couldn’t perform their duties.

Music can’t cover up sinful hearts.

“Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps… You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments…but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph” (Amos 5:23; 6:5-6)

In Amos’ day the people were in the routine of religious duties without having a relationship or desire to follow the Lord. When music is masked with religious duties without a connection with God—He won’t listen to it. Every heart is exposed to the Lord regardless of their outside appearance and there’s no reward for hypocrisy.

Musical giftedness is given to certain men and women of God.

“Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord” (1 Chronicles 25:6-7).

The Lord is the Giver of gifts to all people; however, everyone isn’t gifted in the same way. There are those who naturally can sing or play musical instruments to the Lord—yet many must be trained to improve their skill level. Those who sing for the world and its rewards miss out on the incredible satisfaction of leading people towards worshipping and giving glory to God.

Music can be used for immoral and ungodly purposes.

“The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again” (Revelation 18:22)

At the end of time, the city of Bablylon will be forever destroyed. The sinfulness of the city will be great in sensuality and music will have a part to play in it. The most popular and talented secular musicians (and singers) tend to use immorality to promote their music. Unlike true Christian music with a focus on bringing glory to God—this music’s sole agenda is to fulfill the lusts of men and women who reject the living Christ.

Musical ability is within the hearts of every believer.

“Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).

There’s an incredible beauty and connection between the spirit of believers with the Lord and each other in music. Songs of worship and praise can well up in the soul in times of joy and sorrow. The Lord gives peace and encouragement through the Holy Spirit through songs and melodies of praise.

Sing and make music to the Lord…

The recurrent theme throughout the Psalms is singing and making music to the Lord. There is music all around us in nature as the Creator put it in creation. As believers of Jesus Christ, we are uniquely set apart for the glory of God that is revealed in us in music. Start today to sing and make music to the Lord in your own special way.

Article by Crystal McDowell

Crystal McDowell is a writer, speaker, and teacher with a passion to encourage believers to know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of God’s word.  

Crystal and her husband, Marshall, raise their five children in the Bloomington, IL. As a freelance writer and editor for over 13 years, Crystal has published numerous Christian curriculums for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She’s a weekly staff writer for www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com as well as writing her own blog at http://crystalmcdowellspeaks.blogspot.com.