The Bible is full of music: "O sing unto the LORD a new song" (Psalm 96:1), "play skilfully with a loud noise" (Psalm 33:3), and praise Him "with the psaltery and harp" (Psalm 150:3). David's harp refreshed King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23), and Jesus sang a hymn with His disciples (Matthew 26:30).
From Miriam's timbrel to the new song of heaven, music runs through the whole Bible. The Psalms are a songbook, the temple had trained singers, and Paul and Silas sang in prison. In December, carols fill churches and homes, and many quote Scripture directly. These twelve King James verses are about music itself: singing, instruments and the power of a song. For praise in general, see worship.
Sing a new song
1. Psalms 96:1
"O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth."
A new song need not be newly written; it is a fresh response to God's fresh mercies. Psalm 96 calls all the earth to sing, which is why it suits Christmas so well.
2. Psalms 33:3
"Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise."
Sing a new song; play skilfully. God welcomes both heartfelt joy and practiced skill, so the hours a church musician spends rehearsing can be an offering to the Lord.
3. Psalms 104:33
"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being."
A lifelong resolution: I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live. Many older believers find the hymns they learned decades ago are the words that stay with them longest.
4. Revelation 5:9
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"
The Bible's story ends in music: a new song to the Lamb from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Every song of worship on earth is a rehearsal for that choir.
Instruments in the Bible
5. Psalms 150:3-5
"Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals."
The last psalm lists Israel's instruments, from trumpet and harp to cymbals. Organs here is an old word for pipes. The point is not one approved style but that every instrument can praise God.
6. Psalms 98:5-6
"Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King."
Harp, voice, trumpets and cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Isaac Watts paraphrased Psalm 98 in Joy to the World (1719), so it is a natural reading before the carols begin.
7. 1 Samuel 16:23
"And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him."
When Saul was troubled, David's harp refreshed him. Music can calm and lift a heavy spirit. It is a gift for hard days, though it does not replace prayer, wise counsel or medical care when needed.
8. Exodus 15:20
"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances."
After the Red Sea crossing, Miriam led the women with timbrels and dances. It is one of the first songs recorded in Scripture, sung right after God's rescue. When God brings you through, celebrate with music.
The power of music in God's story
9. 2 Chronicles 5:13
"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;"
At the temple's dedication the singers and trumpeters were as one, and then the cloud of God's presence filled the house. Many voices sounding as one still moves a congregation. See the glory of God.
10. 2 Chronicles 20:22
"And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten."
King Jehoshaphat sent singers ahead of his army, and when they began to sing and to praise, God turned back the enemy. Singing in a crisis is faith that the battle belongs to God.
11. Matthew 26:30
"And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."
After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn, likely from the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118) sung at Passover, before going to the mount of Olives. Jesus faced the cross with a song.
12. James 5:13
"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms."
Is any afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Music belongs to the happy seasons and prayer to the hard ones, though the Psalms often hold both in one song.
A short prayer
Lord, You gave us voices and the gift of music. Put a new song in my heart this season, whether I sing well or not. Let the carols I hear and the hymns I sing turn my thoughts to You, and let my music, at church, in the car or at home, bring You glory as long as I live. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about music?
The Bible treats music as a gift for praising God and encouraging one another. It commands singing (Psalm 96:1), names many instruments (Psalm 150) and pictures heaven full of song (Revelation 5:9). Paul tells believers to sing "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Ephesians 5:19).
What instruments are mentioned in the Bible?
The KJV names the harp, psaltery (a stringed instrument), timbrel (a hand drum), trumpet, cornet, cymbals, organ (pipes) and flute, among others. Psalm 150 lists many together, and Daniel 3:5 describes a royal orchestra.
Are there Bible verses in Christmas carols?
Yes. Joy to the World paraphrases Psalm 98, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing echoes "Glory to God in the highest" (Luke 2:14), and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel draws on Isaiah 7:14. See our Bible verses about Christmas.
Is it wrong to listen to secular music?
The Bible does not list approved genres. A helpful test is Philippians 4:8: think on whatever is true, honest, pure and lovely. Enjoy what is good with gratitude, and give worship music a regular place too.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about worship · Bible verses about Christmas · Bible verses about Christmas Day · Bible verses about joy · It Is Well With My Soul Bible verses · Bible verses about the glory of God
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