Music played a major role in the lives of people in biblical times. It was used in both sacred and secular activities and was most often associated with joy and celebration.
Music comes from God
God's presence inspires music
Psalm 96:13 See also Psalm 98:4
before the LORD, for He is coming— He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
It is a gift of God
But no one asks, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives us songs in the night,
Music was closely associated with praise and worship
Psalm 33:2 See also Judges 5:3; Nehemiah 12:27; Psalm 27:6, Psalm 57:7, Psalm 81:1–2, Psalm 87:7, Psalm 92:3, Psalm 95:2, Psalm 98:4, Psalm 108:1, Psalm 144:9, Psalm 147:7, Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:1–6; Ephesians 5:19–20; Colossians 3:16
Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings.
Music was employed extensively in the tabernacle and the temple
1 Chronicles 25:6–7 See also 1 Chronicles 6:31–32, 1 Chronicles 25:1; 2 Chronicles 5:12–14, 2 Chronicles 35:15; Ezra 2:65
All these were under the direction of their fathers for the music of the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king. Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288.
Music and the psalms
Many psalms are dedicated to the ``director of music''
PSA 11:0 See also PSA 13:0, PSA 31:0, PSA 42:0, PSA 49:0, PSA 77:0, PSA 139:0; Habakkuk 3:19
The titles of some psalms probably give an indication of melody
PSA 9:0 See also PSA 22:0, PSA 45:0, PSA 56:0, PSA 57:0, PSA 58:0, PSA 59:0, PSA 60:0, PSA 69:0, PSA 75:0, PSA 80:0
The titles of some psalms indicate specific musical accompaniment
PSA 4:0 See also PSA 5:0, PSA 6:0, PSA 54:0, PSA 55:0, PSA 61:0, PSA 67:0, PSA 76:0; Habakkuk 3:19
Uses of music
To celebrate victory
2 Chronicles 20:27–28 See also Exodus 15:1–21; Judges 5:1–31; 1 Samuel 18:6–7; Isaiah 30:32
Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat at their head, returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. So they entered Jerusalem and went into the house of the LORD with harps, lyres, and trumpets.
At times of celebration
Genesis 31:27 See also Job 21:12; Isaiah 16:10; Lamentations 5:14; Ezekiel 26:13; Luke 15:25; Revelation 18:22
Why did you run away secretly and deceive me, without even telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps.
At banquets
Isaiah 5:12 See also Amos 6:4–6
At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.
As an expression of joy
1 Samuel 18:6–7 See also 2 Samuel 6:5; 1 Kings 1:40; Job 21:12; James 5:13
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
For pleasure
Ecclesiastes 2:8 See also 2 Samuel 19:35
and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men — many concubines.
For divine inspiration
2 Kings 3:14–15; 1 Samuel 18:10
To relieve depression
1 Samuel 16:23 See also 1 Samuel 16:16–18
And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.
At times of mourning
2 Samuel 1:17–18; Matthew 9:23 See also Job 30:31, Job 35:10; Jeremiah 48:36
Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:
When Jesus entered the house of the synagogue leader, He saw the flute players and the noisy crowd.
Prophets sometimes prophesied to musical accompaniment
1 Samuel 10:5–6 See also 2 Kings 3:14–19
After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying. Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.
Lack of music is a sign of judgment
Isaiah 24:8 See also Revelation 18:22
The joyful tambourines have ceased; the noise of revelers has stopped; the joyful harp is silent.
Music in pagan worship
Daniel 3:5 See also Daniel 3:7, Daniel 3:10, Daniel 3:15
As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
Music played by prostitutes
“Take up your harp, stroll through the city, O forgotten harlot. Make sweet melody, sing many a song, so you will be remembered.”
The misuse of music
Psalm 69:12 See also Psalm 137:3; Daniel 3:4–7; Amos 5:23, Amos 6:5
Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.