Choosing Music That Uplifts and Edifies Christians
Choosing Music That Uplifts and Edifies Christians
The biblical foundation for Christian worship music is rooted in the Psalms and the New Testament epistles. Colossians 3:16 instructs believers to "let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and exhorting yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" [1]. This passage emphasizes the importance of music in Christian worship, highlighting its role in teaching, exhorting, and expressing gratitude to God.
The Psalms provide numerous examples of music being used to praise and worship God. Psalms 69:30 and 95:2 demonstrate the use of song to magnify God and express thanksgiving [2, 4]. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various reasons for praising God, including His majesty, glory, and mercy [3]. These biblical references establish a clear connection between music and Christian worship.
Historically, the early Christian church adopted the practice of singing psalms and hymns from the Jewish tradition. According to John Calvin, the custom of singing in church originated in the East and was later adopted by Western churches [6]. The early church fathers, such as Clement of Alexandria, also recognized the importance of music in worship, noting its ability to convey spiritual truths [8].
Theological perspectives on music in worship vary across Christian traditions. Calvin emphasizes the importance of heartfelt singing, arguing that "the feeling of the mind" should accompany musical expression [5]. In his commentary on Colossians, Calvin notes that music should be used to promote "hilarity" and "joyful and exhilarating" communication, rather than "frivolous jests and witticisms" [7]. Similarly, Thomas Aquinas argues that music can be used to arouse devotion towards God, citing the philosopher's observation that different melodies can move the human soul in various ways [9].
The Anglican tradition, as reflected in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, also values music in worship, incorporating various psalms and hymns into their liturgy [10, 11]. The patristic tradition, represented by writers such as Tertullian and Augustine, highlights the importance of music in corporate worship, with Tertullian noting the practice of subjoining "Hallelujah" and other psalms to prayers [12, 13].
In choosing music that uplifts and edifies Christians, several principles can be derived from these sources. Firstly, music should be used to promote the Word of Christ and to express gratitude to God. Secondly, music should be sung with heartfelt sincerity, rather than mere lip service. Thirdly, music should be chosen to promote joy, hilarity, and edification, rather than frivolity or worldly entertainment. As John Gill notes, the church, when converted, will be characterized by a sincere affection for Christ and a pure worship of Him, which will be reflected in the music used in worship [14].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 3:16 (LITV) — Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and exhorting yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
- Psalms “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. -- Psalms 69:30”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
- Psalms “Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs! -- Psalms 95:2”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid,” ( Isa. 29:13 ). Still we do not condemn words or singing, but rather greatly commend them, provided the feeling of the mind goes along with them. For in this way the thought of God is kept alive on our minds, which, from their fickle and versatile nature, soon relax, and are distracted by various objects, unless various means are used to support them. Besides, since the glory of God ought in a manner to be displaye”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: followed by the other Western churches. He had said a little before that the custom came from the East. 483 483 The French adds, “o˜ on en avoit tousjours usé;”—where it had always been used. He also intimates (Retract. Lib. 2) that it was received in Africa in his own time. His words are, “Hilarius, a man of tribunitial rank, assailed with the bitterest invectives he could use the custom which then began to exist at Carthage, of singing hymns from the book of Psalms at the altar, either before the oblation, or when it was distribu”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 39.5: which tend to hilarity may have no empty savor. “ Leave to unbelievers that foolish delight which they take from ludicrous and frivolous jests and witticisms; 453 453 “ Plaisanteries pleines de vanite et niaiserie ;” — “Pleasantries full of vanity and silliness.” and let your communications, not merely those that are grave, but those also that are joyful and exhilarating, contain something profitable. In place of their obscene, or at least barely modest and decent , songs, it becomes you to make use of hymns and so”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. Xl.--THE MYSTICAL MEANINGS IN THE PROPORTIONS OF NUMBERS, GEOMETRICAL RATIOS, AND MUSIC. (part 3): Further, as an example of music, let us adduce David, playing at once and prophesying, melodiously praising God. Now the Enarmonic s suits best the Dorian harmony, and the Diatonic the Phrygian, as Aristoxenus says. The harmony, therefore, of the Barbarian psaltery, which exhibited gravity of strain, being the most ancient, most certainly became a model for Terpander, for the Dorian harmony, who sings the prai”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Taking the Divine Name for the Purpose of Invoking It by Means of Praise, Art. 2: Article: Whether God should be praised with song? I answer that, As stated above (Article [1]), the praise of the voice is necessary in order to arouse man's devotion towards God. Wherefore whatever is useful in conducing to this result is becomingly adopted in the divine praises. Now it is evident that the human soul is moved in various ways according to various melodies of sound, as the Philosopher state (Polit. viii, 5), and also ”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 1 A Song of God’s Glorious Name (part 1): 1 A Song of God’s Glorious Name 2 A Song of God’s Descending 3 A Song of the King’s Glory 4 A Song of God’s Light 5 A Song of Trust in God 6 A Song of Penitence 7 A Song of God’s Praise 8 A Song of God’s Blessing 9 A Song of Mercy and Truth 10 Venite – A Song of Triumph 11 A Song of God’s Splendour 12 Jubilate – A Song of Joy 13 A Song of God’s Righteousness 14 A Song of God’s Compassion 15 A Song of God’s Greatness 16 A Song of Worship 17 Verses from Psalm 141 –A Song of the Evening Sacrifice 18 A So”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), A Song of Christ the Servant (Lent): A Song of Christ the Servant (Lent) A Song of David (Ordinary Time) A Song of Ezekiel (Pentecost) A Song of Faith (Easter) A Song of God’s Children (Pentecost) A Song of Humility (Lent) A Song of Praise (Epiphany) A Song of Redemption (Christmas) A Song of the Lamb (Ordinary Time) A Song of the Messiah (Christmas) A Song of the New Jerusalem (Epiphany) A Song of the Spirit (Advent) A Song of the Wilderness (Advent) Benedicite – a Song of Creation (shorter version) Benedicite – a Song of Creation Benedicite,”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XXVII.--OF SUBJOINING A PSALM.: The more diligent in prayer are wont to subjoin in their prayers the "Hallelujah,"[10] and such kind of psalms, in the closes of which the company respond. And, of course, every institution is excellent which, for the extolling and honouring of God, aims unitedly to bring Him enriched prayer as a choice victim.[11]”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXX.(2) (part 1): 1. The Psalm which we have just heard chanted, and have responded to with our voices, is short, and very profitable. Ye will not long toil in hearing, nor will ye toil fruitlessly in working. For it is, according to the title prefixed to it, "A song of degrees."(3) Degrees are either of ascent or of descent. But degrees, as they are used in this Psalm, are of ascending. ... There are therefore both those who ascend and those who descend on that ladder.(4) Who are they that ascend? They who progress towards the understandin”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 31:4: Again, I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel,.... The same with "all the families of Israel", Jer 31:1; who, when converted, will be espoused to Christ as a chaste virgin; have a sincere affection for him; unfeigned faith in him, and purely worship him; receiving the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and submitting to the ordinances of it; and then will the church, comparable to a building, consisting of lively stones, laid upon the foundation Christ, which is fallen down, and lies in ruins, be rebuilt, and none shall hinder it; and a glorious b”