Song

In Scripture, songs express praise, thanksgiving, joy, victory and love. They also express sadness and derision and can be used to teach and warn. In heaven believers will sing a new song to God.

Different kinds of song

Songs of praise and thanksgiving

2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalm 69:30 See also Nehemiah 12:8, Nehemiah 12:46; Psalm 28:7, Psalm 95:2; Jeremiah 30:18–19; Jonah 2:9; James 5:13

The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud

I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.

Songs of joy and celebration

Psalm 98:4 See also 2 Samuel 6:5 parallel 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:16; Psalm 100:2, Psalm 107:22, Psalm 126:2, Psalm 126:6; Isaiah 52:9, Isaiah 55:12

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth — let your cry ring out, and sing praises!

Songs of victory and deliverance

Exodus 15:1–18 The song celebrating God's spectacular victory over Pharaoh and his army (compare with Revelation 15:3). See also Judges 5:1–3; 1 Samuel 18:6–7; 2 Samuel 22:1–4; Psalm 18:2, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 42:8, Psalm 118:15; Isaiah 26:1, Isaiah 44:23, Isaiah 49:13

Psalms and hymns

Colossians 3:16 “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” are not clearly distinguished from each other in Scripture. See also 1 Chronicles 16:7; Psalm 40:3, Psalm 47:7; Matthew 26:30 parallel Mark 14:26; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:19

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Songs of ascent

PSA 122:0 Psalms 120–134, the so-called “Songs of Ascent”, are thought to have been sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.

Songs of love

PSA 45:0 The title to this psalm describes it as “a wedding song”; Song of Solomon 1:1; Isaiah 5:1; Ezekiel 33:32

Laments

2 Samuel 1:17–19 See also 2 Samuel 3:33–34; 2 Chronicles 35:25; Psalm 102:1–2; Jeremiah 7:29, Jeremiah 9:10, Jeremiah 9:20; Lamentations 2:5 The book of Lamentations is a series of laments after the fall of Jerusalem; Ezekiel 19:1, Ezekiel 19:14, Ezekiel 26:17–18, Ezekiel 27:2, Ezekiel 27:32, Ezekiel 28:12, Ezekiel 32:16; Amos 5:1

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: “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!

Songs of derision

Job 30:9; Psalm 69:12; Lamentations 3:14, Lamentations 3:63; Micah 2:4

God is described as the song of believers

Psalm 118:14 See also Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 12:2

The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.

Songs can teach and warn

Deuteronomy 32:44–46 See also Deuteronomy 31:19, Deuteronomy 31:22, Deuteronomy 31:30; Psalm 119:54; Ephesians 5:19

Then Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. When Moses had finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law.

A new song

Singing a new song to God expresses a renewed desire to praise him

Psalm 40:1–3 See also Psalm 33:3, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 144:9, Psalm 149:1; Isaiah 42:10

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

In heaven God's people will sing a new song

Revelation 5:9–10 See also Revelation 14:3

And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”