2000-02-06 - Passages about Music

Some of us are especially gifted with the ability to sing or play a musical instrument. We should be good stewards of those gifts, using them in our local church as well as other venues. But even those of us who "can't carry a tune in a bucket" can sing to God in the privacy of our own homes, cars etc. To God, the sound of joyful singing from each of his children is as beautiful as if it were coming from Twila Paris' voice.

We are to use music as a witnessing tool:

(Psa 107:22 NRSV) And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

We are to use music for praising God:

(Psa 95:2 NRSV) Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

(James 5:13 NRSV) Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.

We are to sing with other Christians:

(Eph 5:18-20 NRSV) Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Col 3:16 NRSV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

We are not limited to organs and pianos! God has given us a variety of musical instruments with which to worship Him:

(Psa 92:1-3 NRSV) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.

(1 Chr 15:16 NRSV) David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their kindred as the singers to play on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise loud sounds of joy.

Jan

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