Church Music – Its Purpose and Use

There are well over 500 references to music and its use in the Bible. It would benefit every church musician to do a careful study of the purpose and use of music in the scripture.

You can see from the scripture that music is used in many different settings.

• On the shores of the Red Sea – Exodus 15
• In the courts of the king – I Samuel 16
• At the dedication of the temple – II Chronicles 5
• In an upper room – Mark 14,
• In a jail – Acts 16

Upon further study, it is clear as to its purposes.

Church music is for worshiping and praising God.

Our songs should praise and exalt God. We sing them to the Lord and they are an integral part of our worship of Him. With them, we make melody to the Lord and sing to Him.

• II 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 …”  
• Psalm 100:1 “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord …”

The scripture makes it clear as to the second purpose.

Church music is for edifying the saints.

In order to do this, we are to teach and admonish one another in those things that are doctrinally sound and warn of sin or danger in our Christian lives.

• Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” 
• Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

There is also evidence that when music is used properly, God blesses by allowing it to be a witness to the unsaved.

Church music is for evangelizing the lost

Though evangelism may not be a primary purpose, the scripture does indicate that it has had affect on the unsaved that hear it.

• Psalm 126:2 “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing:  Then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.”  
• Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:  and the prisoners heard them.”

The New Testament gives us an example of the types of church music God has established in our worship; psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

• Psalms are God’s words (scripture) put to music.
• Hymns are formal expressions of praise directed to God himself.
• Spiritual songs are songs that deal with our spiritual life and experiences.

Remember though, God has ordained the preaching of His Word to be way souls are brought to Him.

Church music is for giving thanks

May our church music bring glory to the Lord as we lift our hearts in praise to Him.