What Does The Bible Say About Music We Listen To?
16 Key Principles on What the Bible Says About the Music We Listen to
Music plays a significant role in our lives today, especially with the ease of accessing countless songs through streaming services. However, as Christians, it's important to consider what the Bible advises about the kinds of music we should or shouldn't listen to.
In this post, we explore various books of the Bible to understand its teachings on music. We’ll provide a summary of the main ideas about the kind of music God wants His followers to listen to and the intentions or feelings that should accompany it.
1. Music Should Be God-Honoring and Point Us to Christ
The overall guideline for Christians regarding any area of life should be to glorify God.
“…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The lyrics we sing and listen to shape our minds and hearts more than we realize. We want to fill our minds with truth found in God's Word that points us to Jesus.
The book of Psalm is filled with songs written specifically for worshiping God. While not all music needs to be praise songs, Scripture shows us that praising God through song pleases Him.
As King David wrote:
"I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30).
Our music choices matter because what we listen to indicates what our soul delights in. Songs that honor the Lord keep our focus on God and the truth of the gospel.
2. Music Has Power to Lead Us into Sin or Righteousness
Songs with catchy lyrics and tunes can easily become memorable and stick in our minds for a long time. This is why the Bible cautions us about the strong impact music can have. Listening to music that goes against God's teachings can desensitize us to sin and make sinful behavior seem acceptable.
For instance, the Bible tells us about the Israelites worshiping a golden calf idol with a big party that included music (Exodus 32:17-19). In the book of Daniel, it's mentioned that Babylonian rulers called for musicians during their idol worship ceremonies, possibly to create an environment that encouraged terrible sins (Daniel 3:5).
On the other hand, music that shares messages of righteousness can help align our hearts with God. For example, after the Israelites were freed from slavery, Miriam, Moses' sister, led women in singing celebratory songs with instruments and dance (Exodus 15:20-21). This kind of music helped the Israelites celebrate and remember God's miracles and kindness.
3. Instruments Were Created to Praise God
Musical instruments are mentioned often in the Bible, including harps, trumpets, timbrels and pipes. Understanding that God created these instruments for His praise helps us know what kind of music He prefers.
Psalm 150 encourages praising God with music:
“Praise the Lord.
…Praise Him with the trumpet, the harp and lyre, with timbrel and dancing, with strings and pipe, with loud cymbals, with clashing cymbals.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.”
King David had music playing in his court regularly to honor God (1 Chronicles 16:42). He chose Levites to be musicians who played lyres, harps and cymbals joyfully (1 Chronicles 15:16).
This shows that using musical instruments to praise God is a way to glorify Him.
4. Lyrics Focused on Sex, Drugs and Rebellion Do Not Please God
Having looked at examples of music that honors God, let's consider what the Bible says we should avoid. As mentioned before, songs with lyrics that encourage sin or make us less sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance are a concern.
The New Testament specifically warns against songs that celebrate sexual immorality, impurity and obscenity (Ephesians 5:3-4). We should also steer clear of music that glorifies drunkenness or rebellion, as these themes reflect a sinful, earthly mindset rather than spiritual growth (Galatians 5:19-21).
It's true that no song is completely free from imperfect lyrics. As Christians, our goal is to focus on things that are true, honorable, right, pure and admirable (Philippians 4:8). However, if ungodly themes dominate most of the songs, we need to think about whether such music is good for our soul.
5. The Group of Musicians Matters as Much as Lyrics
The Bible not only looks at song lyrics but also at the morals of the musicians themselves. A good example is in the book of Daniel, where King Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone to worship a false idol or face death. Three young Hebrew men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, chose not to obey this order (Daniel 3).
Musicians were also expected to follow the king's command to worship the idol, but these three men refused to even pretend to worship it through music.
This story shows that God is concerned with the character of musicians and not just their lyrics. The artist's personal life and beliefs are important too. We should be careful not to support musicians who openly go against biblical teachings.
6. Ungodly Music Should Not Be Present in Christian Worship
In the Bible, most mentions of instruments and music are related to worship. This indicates that while individual music preferences can vary among Christians, the music used in group worship comes with more specific guidance.
The books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles describe how King David organized talented Levite musicians and singers to lead the worship of God in Israel (1 Chronicles 15:16-22). David's actions were a precursor to what Jesus hoped for in church worship, which is worshiping in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
Similarly, the early Christian church gathered to sing hymns to praise God and encourage each other (Colossians 3:16). Therefore, it's recommended that church services include well-played instruments and united singing to highlight God's glory through music.
7. Christian Liberty Allows for Personal Musical Taste
The Bible provides many guidelines about music for worship and personal enjoyment, but there are still some unclear areas. For instance, how do we handle songs with complex themes about life's struggles versus outright rebellion? Does mentioning sin in a song mean it's being supported? And how can we wisely and graciously navigate these issues?
Romans 14 talks about issues that the Bible doesn't specifically address. As Christians, we're encouraged to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, who helps each of us understand what's right (John 16:13). Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that while we may have the freedom to do anything, not everything is good for us. As our faith grows, the Holy Spirit helps us choose music that better reflects God's values. However, we shouldn't force our beliefs on others, especially new Christians who are still figuring out their faith.
Just like Jesus spent time with all kinds of people, we too should be understanding and supportive of fellow Christians, regardless of where they are in their faith journey. Open, loving conversations and prayer can lead us all closer to God. Ultimately, what matters most is that our music choices point others towards salvation and Christ's love, rather than just following worldly standards.
8. Songs that Celebrate Sin Distract Us from God’s Holiness
In the Bible, there are instances where music was used in the worship of false idols, which greatly displeased God. For example, when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, he found people dancing around a golden calf with loud music (Exodus 32:17-19). Similarly, Nebuchadnezzar used music to support idol worship, which Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego bravely refused to participate in (Daniel 3:5).
So, why is music linked to sin such a serious issue? It's because God is perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3). Songs that celebrate sin misrepresent His true majesty and dull our sense of righteousness, leading us away from wanting to be in God's presence.
This applies to all types of music, especially if the lyrics encourage greed, dishonesty, pride or lust. Such messages contradict the idea of developing spiritual qualities like love and self-control, weakening our Christian example (Galatians 5:16-26, Titus 2:11-14). Songs that glorify sin can prevent us from living in harmony with the Holy Spirit.
Although Jesus offers forgiveness, He also instructs us to leave our sinful lives behind (John 8:11). The music we choose should help us grow in respect for God’s holiness, rather than encourage a careless attitude towards sin.
9. Discerning Between Style, Association and Lyric Offense
As believers guided by the wisdom of the Spirit, we understand that being offended by music can come from its style or the associations it brings. People's musical tastes differ across cultures, age groups and church denominations. Therefore, certain melodies or instruments that were historically linked to sin may not have the same meaning now.
We can't judge what's in someone's heart, but we can look at the outcomes. As Luke 6:43 & 45 says,
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
We should ask ourselves: Does loud music or fast tempos make us uneasy because of their associations? Or do the lyrics clearly go against God’s teachings when we look at them carefully?
Paul advised us to stay away from even the look of evil to keep our testimony clear (1 Thessalonians 5:22). But it's important to tell the difference between being legitimately upset for spiritual reasons and just having a personal style preference. By doing this, we can show grace and learn to appreciate the variety of music that fits within biblical guidelines.
10. Heavenly Worship Previews Our Eternal Destiny
Revelation 4:8 gives a breathtaking preview of heavenly worship.
“…Day and night they never stop saying: "‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’”
Our worship foreshadows the glorious praise awaiting all believers in heaven. While varied music styles suit different cultures now, eternity unites all citizens from every tongue and tribe to worship God face-to-face.
Our songs should harmonize with the Spirit and truth.
11. Spiritual Songs Offer Timeless Scriptural Encouragement
The Bible directly references "spiritual songs" in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 both encourage singing "psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit." Spiritual songs differ from praise songs in focusing more on teaching versus adoration.
Scripturally sound spiritual songs expound the promises of God, sacrifice of Christ and doctrines equipping faith. They allow biblical truth revealed by the Holy Spirit to permeate hearts through lyric and melody.
Spiritual songs also differ from secular music avoiding references to sinful living. They provide wholesome encouragement and perspective grounded in God's Word. Spiritual songs remind us that we are passing through this broken world while anchoring hope in eternity with Christ (Hebrews 11:13–16).
The Old Testament has many examples of spiritual songs. Moses and Miriam co-wrote a song after the Israelites miraculously crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1–21). Isaiah 12 records a song focusing on God alone as salvation. These spiritual songs encouraged the community of faith.
Spiritual songs span from ancient hymns to modern tunes directly quoting Scripture. Their timeless lyrics and hopeful melodies will eternally stir courage as God's living Word.
12. God Looks At the Heart Behind Music More Than Style
The Bible mentions music and musical instruments from Genesis to Revelation. Over the years, different styles and instruments have been used to worship God, varying across time and cultures.
1 Samuel 16:7 teaches that while people often judge by appearances, God looks at the heart. This idea is also true for music. God is more interested in why we make music than in the specific style of the music.
For example, in 2 Kings 3:15, when Elisha asked for a musician to play, the music helped bring about God's power, even though it was part of a prophecy about violence. Music that is inspired by the Holy Spirit can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Ezekiel 33:32 shows a different side - that music can hide insincerity. God criticized people who claimed to seek His Word but were actually only interested in hearing beautiful singing. Their music might have sounded good, but their intentions were not pure.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:15, sang praises both with the Spirit and with understanding. This teaches us that both pleasing melodies and meaningful lyrics are important. Music that combines sound teachings with the Spirit's inspiration can powerfully support God's plans.
13. Secular Music Offers Wisdom But Prizes Earthly Fame
Secular songs, unlike spiritual songs or hymns based on Scripture, usually don't contain Bible verses or focus on living a righteous life. They are made for general entertainment and often include references to sin without causing concern.
The Bible's Ecclesiastes 2:8 talks about King Solomon, who, early in his reign, had male and female singers and many concubines. Similarly, in the first century, the Christians in Corinth needed guidance to avoid sexual immorality, a widely accepted practice in their culture (1 Corinthians 5-7). Just like Solomon, they had to resist the cultural tendency to normalize sin through music. This was crucial for their spiritual growth, as it is for Christians today.
Not all secular music is negative, however. For example, Louis Armstrong sang about a beautiful world filled with love. Such mainstream songs can sometimes reflect truths also found in Christ.
But, unlike explicitly Christian songs, secular music often aims for earthly recognition, audience approval and cultural acceptance rather than seeking rewards from God. It's important to weigh any messages we receive from these songs against the higher truths found in the Bible.
14. Group Worship Brings People Together, But Individual Tastes Can Cause Division
In church, the music selected aims to unite people, rather than catering to individual preferences or styles. This focus on group worship is key for fostering unity among believers. Choosing music that might be too unusual or contentious can disturb some members, contradicting the goal of fellowship and unity that is crucial in representing Christ, as mentioned in 1 Peter 3:8 and Romans 15:5-6 in the Bible.
In the Old Testament, 1 Chronicles 25:1 talks about King David appointing lead musicians like Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and Ethan. Their role was to use music and song for praising God and teaching His people, which helped bring about God's presence and united the Israelites.
One of King David's major contributions is the book of Psalm, which is a collection of religious songs. For example, Psalm 100 is a joyful song that invites people to joyfully praise God, recognizing His eternal nature.
In the New Testament, Paul suggests in Colossians 3:16 that Christians should use psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to teach and advise one another wisely, aiding in their collective worship of God. This concept of uniting in musical worship is further highlighted in John 17:20-23, where it is explained that this unity through music demonstrates Christ's glory to the world.
15. Suppressing Music Diminishes Truth, Creativity and Natural Emotions
Limiting music that is inspired by the Holy Spirit can interfere with effectively spreading the core message of the gospel and restrict creativity that comes from God. Music has a special ability to express feelings that words alone can't capture. When we combine true messages with music that touches our emotions, it can help us appreciate God's greatness in ways that are more than just intellectual.
For example, the Bible tells the story of King Saul, who was troubled by an evil spirit and found comfort in David's music (1 Samuel 16:14-16, 23). This shows that music can communicate aspects of God that words can't fully explain.
Also, it's important not to put unnecessary limits on musical creativity, especially with instruments meant for worshiping God. Decisions about music in worship should be based on Biblical wisdom and understanding, not strict rules.
Stopping this type of musical expression also limits our ability to fully show the diverse nature of God. Emotions like joy, peace, excitement and reverence in God's presence can all be conveyed through music inspired by the Spirit.
As the ultimate Creator, God wants us to create new music that reflects His purpose. We are encouraged to "Sing to the LORD a new song" (Psalm 96:1).
16. Praising God Through Music, Inspired by Jesus Christ
Jesus is the perfect example of worshiping God with true devotion. He obeyed God's will completely, even when it meant sacrificing His life, so we could reconnect with God (Luke 22:42).
Jesus' love was remarkable. Despite being divine, He honored His mother Mary and valued her role in His life (Luke 2:51-52). As a carpenter's son, He understood the importance of hard work, a concept that has been valued since before sin made life difficult.
Jesus declared a time of forgiveness and freedom, known as the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). His resurrection liberated believers from the power of sin. We should praise God for Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins (John 1:29).
It's important to remember that debates about the right kind of music in worship often reflect more about our own attitudes than the music itself. Jesus is our ultimate role model. No matter how music evolves over time, across different cultures and styles, let's ensure our songs and actions always lead people to Jesus for salvation.
Closing Thoughts on Biblical Principles on Music
This post looked at many Bible verses, both from the Old and New Testament, to show unchanging principles about music. Today, we have more access to music than ever before and the Bible helps us choose songs that are righteous and focused on Christ.
By keeping these biblical teachings in mind, we can use music to direct our hearts towards God, our Creator and Savior. Just as Kings David and Solomon led their people closer to God through skillful music, we should aim to enjoy and promote music that glorifies God!
In this summary, we have explored a wide range of Biblical verses that teach us how to listen to music in a way that honors God. As we conclude, let's look at 16 key points that summarize these biblical truths: