What role does music play in our lives?

Paul clearly puts forth the Christian’s view that things are not good or bad in and of themselves (see Romans 14 and 1 Cor. 14:7-8, 26). The point should always be to worship the Lord or help others by means of the things of this world, including music. Music was created by God and can be returned to him in praise.

Highlights of musical use

in Scripture

References

Jubal was father of all musicians

Genesis 4:21

Miriam and other women sang and danced to praise God

Exodus 15:1-21

The priest was to have bells on his robes

Exodus 28:34-35

Jericho fell to the sound of trumpets

Joshua 6:4-20

Saul experienced the soothing effect of music

1 Samuel 16:14-23

The king’s coronation was accompanied by music

1 Kings 1:39-40

The ark was accompanied by trumpeters

1 Chr. 16:6

There were musicians for the king’s court

Eccles. 2:8

From David’s time on, the use of music in worship was much more organized. Music for the temple became refined.

1 Chr. 15:16-24;

1 Chr. 16:4-7;

2 Chr. 5:11-14

Everything was to be used by everyone to praise the Lord

Psalm 150

In the New Testament, worship continued in the synagogues until the Christians became unwelcome there, so there was a rich musical heritage already established. The fact that music is mentioned less often in the New Testament does not mean it was less important.

Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn

Matthew 26:30

Paul and Silas sang in jail

Acts 16:25

Believers of all dispensations are to sing to the Lord as a response to what he has done in our lives

Ephes. 5:19-20;

Col. 3:16;

James 5:13