Role of Music in Christian Worship and Reverence
The Role of Music in Christian Worship and Reverence
The biblical basis for the role of music in Christian worship is rooted in various passages that emphasize its significance in expressing reverence and praise to God. The Psalms, for instance, are replete with references to singing and making music to the Lord [1, 2]. Psalm 95:2 exhorts believers to "come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let's extol him with songs!" [2]. This emphasis on music as a means of worship is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul instructs the Colossian believers to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" [6].
The use of music in worship is not limited to vocal expressions; instrumental music is also mentioned in the biblical text. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, various instruments such as the harp, psaltery, and cymbals were used in worship [3]. The early Christian church continued this tradition, with references to singing hymns and psalms in worship gatherings [5].
The purpose of music in Christian worship is multifaceted. It serves as a means of expressing reverence and adoration to God, as well as a way to edify and instruct believers. According to the Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 5:19, singing together builds up the body of Christ, and the Lord hears the music in our hearts [10]. This understanding is in line with the Presbyterian interpretation of Ephesians 4:15, which emphasizes the importance of speaking the truth in love, thereby promoting spiritual growth [9].
The biblical text also highlights the importance of humility and a right heart attitude in worship. Psalm 51:19 notes that "sacrifices offered in the right spirit come from a heart that is right with God and with others" [8]. This emphasis on the heart's attitude is echoed in the writings of John Gill, who notes that true worship involves singing unto the Lord with a sincere and thankful heart [11].
Different Christian traditions have varying views on the role of music in worship. Some, like the Nonconformist/Puritan tradition represented by Matthew Henry, emphasize the importance of joyful noise and spiritual joy in worship [12]. Others, such as the Baptist/Reformed tradition represented by John Gill, focus on the Christocentric nature of worship, emphasizing that Christ is to be the subject of our spiritual songs [11].
The biblical text provides guidance on the characteristics of acceptable worship, including humility, love, and a sincere heart. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, humility is a necessary characteristic for the service of God, and is exemplified in the life of Christ [4]. The importance of love is also highlighted, with the biblical text emphasizing that love for Christ should be sincere and supreme [7].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 2:11 (NASB) — Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.”
- Psalms “Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs! -- Psalms 95:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Music — Early invention of -- Ge 4:21. Divided into Vocal. -- 2Sa 19:35; Ac 16:25. Instrumental. -- Da 6:18. Designed to promote joy -- Ec 2:8,10. Vanity of all unsanctified -- Ec 2:8,11. Considered efficacious in mental disorders -- 1Sa 16:14-17,23. Effects produced on the prophets of old by -- 1Sa 10:5,6; 2Ki 3:15. Instruments of Cymbals. -- 1Ch 16:5; Ps 150:5. Cornet. -- Ps 98:6; Ho 5:8. Dulcimer. -- Da 3:5. Flute. -- Da 3:5. Harp. -- Ps 137:2; Eze 26:13. Organ. -- Ge 4:21; Job 21:12; Ps 150:4. Pipe. -- 1Ki 1:40; Isa 5:12; Jer 48:36. Psaltery. -- Ps 33:2; 71:22. S”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hymn — a religious song or psalm. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) Our Lord and his apostles sung a hymn after the last supper. In the jail at Philippi, Paul and Silas "sang hymns" (Authorized Version "praises") unto God, and so loud was their song that their fellow prisoners heard them.”
- Colossians “Colossians 3:16 (NASB) — Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Christ — Exhibited by God -- Mt 17:5; Joh 5:20. Exhibited by saints -- 1Pe 1:8. His personal excellence is deserving of -- Song 5:9-16. His love to us a motive to -- 2Co 5:14. Manifested in Seeking him. -- Song 3:2. Obeying him. -- Joh 14:15,21,23. Ministering to him. -- Mt 27:55; 25:40. Preferring him to all others. -- Mt 10:37. Taking up the cross for Him. -- Mt 10:38. A characteristic of saints -- Song 1:4. An evidence of adoption -- Joh 8:42. Should be Sincere. -- Eph 6:24. With the soul. -- Song 1:7. In proportion to our mercies. -- Lu 7:47. Supreme. -- ”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 51:19: 51:19 Sacrifices offered in the right spirit come from a heart that is right with God and with others (see 15:2-5; 24:3-6; 50:14; Matt 5:23-24).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:15: speaking the truth--Translate, "holding the truth"; "following the truth"; opposed to "error" or "deceit" (Eph 4:14). in love--"Truth" is never to be sacrificed to so-called "charity"; yet it is to be maintained in charity. Truth in word and act, love in manner and spirit, are the Christian's rule (compare Eph 4:21, Eph 4:24). grow up--from the state of "children" to that of "full-grown men." There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead. into him--so as to be more and more incorporated with Him, and become one with Him. the”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:19: 5:19-20 Lives filled with the Holy Spirit will be expressed in singing . . . and making music (Col 3:16-17). Joyful praise, worship, and giving thanks are fitting responses to God’s saving grace. • among yourselves: Singing together builds up the body of Christ. • The Lord hears the music in our hearts. • in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is our mediator and representative as we approach God (cp. John 14:13-14; 16:23-27; Rev 22:4).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 95:1: O come, let us sing unto the Lord,.... To Jehovah the Messiah, the Lord our righteousness; setting forth, in songs of praise, the glory of his person, the riches of his grace, and our thankfulness to him for spiritual mercies by him: Christ is to be the subject of our spiritual songs, and is the person to whose honour and glory they should be directed: in the New Testament we are instructed to sing unto the Lord, the Lord Christ, Eph 5:19, and this is what Pliny (a) tells Trajan, the Roman emperor, the Christians in his time did; they sung a hymn to Christ, as to a Go”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 95:1: The psalmist here, as often elsewhere, stirs up himself and others to praise God; for it is a duty which ought to be performed with the most lively affections, and which we have great need to be excited to, being very often backward to it and cold in it. Observe, I. How God is to be praised. 1. With holy joy and delight in him. The praising song must be a joyful noise, Psa 95:1 and again Psa 95:2. Spiritual joy is the heart and soul of thankful praise. It is the will of God (such is the condescension of his grace) that when we give glory to him as a being infinite”