Depending on your family background or the part of the world you are from, the combinations of music you may have been exposed to are probably endless. Because of this, the music people enjoy, either by listening to or actively playing, varies. Have you ever considered what the Bible says about music? Do you know that God created music with several specific purposes in mind?
Improperly Used
As with almost everything that God has created for man to use for a right purpose, it should not come as a surprise that mankind has perverted music to be used in many wrong ways. All of these wrong uses originate from the ruler of this world, Satan.
The devil was created as the archangel Lucifer, a perfect being in every way (Ezek. 28:12-15), and this applies to his ability as a musician. Lucifer was given the ability to play beautiful music through his “workmanship” and to understand its purpose as well. But Satan eventually became a perverted being. Now, as the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), he broadcasts into our lives all of the wrong ways to use music. It is now his desire that we use this wonderfully positive tool in a way that God did not intend. Even though the Bible was written thousands of years ago, it contains numerous examples of the right purposes for music, and these can still be applied today. You will find that music is a wonderful tool that can benefit you in many ways.
A Powerful Tool That Elicits an Emotional Response
Most have seen in their own lives that music can profoundly affect emotions—either positively or negatively. This even applies to God Himself! When “all the men of Israel assembled” with King Solomon to celebrate the Ark of the Covenant’s arrival at the completed Temple (II Chron. 5:3), we are told that in addition to the feast and many physical sacrifices made to honor God, music was played. The immediate effect? God’s response was so profound that the Temple was “filled with a cloud,” which represented His approval (vs. 13).
Think about this for a moment. Even the all-powerful Creator God responded to music when it was used to glorify Him. This was not just any kind of music—it truly was “special music.” In II Chronicles 5:12-13, there is an amazing description of what garnered this response. When the singers and musicians praised God in song (there were over 120 priests playing trumpet alone), they all played “as one, to make one sound.” This means the musicians played with instruments, together in harmony. The result was uplifting due to the unison and harmony. This wasn’t like the disorderly or incoherent expression found in much of today’s music.
Another clear example of music’s proper use is when the angels “shouted for joy” and “sang together” in unison when they first saw the earth’s foundations laid (Job 38:7). Since they understood God’s purpose for music, this was how the angels expressed their joy, awe and thankfulness for God’s creation. Again, they sang together—and with joy! Do you see a theme developing? In both of these examples, music was performed in harmony and with a specific purpose in mind—a positive one. The book of Psalms alone has 150 wonderful examples—separate songs—that are recorded to show us the right way to use music for praise.
Music for More Than Praising God
Expressing our gratitude to our Father through music each week is so important to God that it is commanded. However, in the Bible there are other clearly defined purposes for music. Some of these may surprise you. In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul reminded the congregation to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (3:16). The right kinds of songs can be powerful spiritual tools to communicate with Christ directly and they can be used to teach as well.
In another example, music can have a calming effect and be helpful for relaxation. In I Samuel 16, the young David is described as a cunning and skilled harp player, who, when he played, “refreshed” the king with his wonderful music. Again, music can have a positive effect. It is a tool with tangible benefits.
Would it surprise you to know there is a reference in the Bible to music being used at a party? Well there is! After Jacob secretly fled from his father-in-law Laban into the land that God instructed him to go, Laban chased and finally caught him. He asked Jacob, “Why did you flee away secretly…and not tell me; that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with [timbrel], and with harp?” (Gen. 31:27). In other words, Laban would have organized a celebration to honor him. King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote the book Song of Solomon as a love song to his wife. So even “love songs” are appropriate—when used correctly.
While music doesn’t always need to be used to directly praise God, all of these examples have one thing in common: whether used to praise, express joy, teach, celebrate, relax or even express love, music is always used in a positive way.
Music Influences Your Spirit (Your Relationship With God)
Music, at its core, influences our spiritual lives and our relationship with God—either drawing us closer to the Lord, or quenching the Holy Spirit. God always desires our lives to be filled with and controlled by the power of His Holy Spirit: Ephesians 5:18-19, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” 1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Quench not the Spirit.” Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
The biblical fact is this: the right kind of Spirit-led music can be an immensely powerful force that aids us in bringing our body and soul into submission to the leadership and control of the Holy Spirit of God. That is to say, it can feed and fan the flames of the work of the Holy Spirit within.
In summary, music provokes physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual responses that result in choices. Therefore, spiritual music will contribute to spiritual responses, spiritual choices, and spiritual outcomes. To the contrary, fleshly music—that which accentuates rhythm or soul-ish lifestyles (emotion led), will diminish my ability to “walk in the Spirit.” Spiritual music will contribute to my walk with God and the Spirit-filled life.
SOURCES: Cary Schmidt (2010) “Encouraging, Equipping, and Engaging Ideas From Local Church Leaders” / The Restored Church of God (2018) “God’s Purpose for Music Positive Examples Throughout the Bible”
Facebook Page: Music Psychology Research (MPR) 2010 / Psychological Assessment and Research Evaluation (PARE) 2014