Music

I love music. When I hear music playing in the background, my ear is immediately drawn to it. Of course, whether or not I enjoy that music depends on the type of music that is playing, but regardless, I notice it.

Is enjoyment a valid criterion for evaluating music, though? Should we listen to music based on how it makes us feel? I think not. Music, like everything else, should be evaluated scripturally by asking, “Is this pleasing to God?”

The Psalmists (I don’t say David because David was not the only Psalmist) grasped the idea of using music for praise very well, as evidenced by the many Psalms that sing praises to God:

Psalm 98:4-9

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,

with the lyre and the sound of melody!

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

the world and those who dwell in it!

Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the hills sing for joy together

before the Lord, for he comes

to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 47

Clap your hands, all peoples!

 Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

a great king over all the earth.

He subdued peoples under us,

and nations under our feet.

He chose our heritage for us,

the pride of Jacob whom he loves.

God has gone up with a shout,

the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

Sing praises to God, sing praises!

Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

For God is the King of all the earth;

sing praises with a psalm!

God reigns over the nations;

God sits on his holy throne.

The princes of the peoples gather

as the people of the God of Abraham.

For the shields of the earth belong to God;

he is highly exalted!

The Psalmists also has multiple other uses for music: to express sorrow, repentance, joy, consolation, thankfulness – so many different emotions are present in the Psalms. If you want to know how you can glorify the Lord while expressing whatever mood you are in, learn from the Psalms.

Of course, singing and music in the Bible are found in many other books than the Psalms. Moses sings, Deborah sings, King Jehoshaphat’s army sings, Paul and Silas sing: singing is an integral part of life. All creation sings glory to the Lord, including the angels. Should we not sing as well?

We should use all our God-given talents for His glory, including our voice and music skills. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Also, we are told to dwell on those things which are “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, an excellent.”  If any music does not meet this criterion, we should stay away.

Music is a good thing, if we use it to honor the Lord like the Psalmists and angels. As you go about your day, think about the music you listen to. Is it worthwhile? If not, then throw it; your own voice singing to the Lord would be a worthwhile substitution.

So, sing psalms, let joy resound!

Casey