“[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities––all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:15-17).
. . . and, this includes music.
It is God’s perfect will that He be surrounded with angelic choirs and the songs of redeemed sinners (Rev. 14:2-3). Angels were to express their joy, awe, and thankfulness “as one, to make one sound” for God’s creation (see Job 38:7; 2 Ch. 5:12-13). Once given to humanity when “the morning starts sang together” (Job 38:7), music was directed to be used to recognize “righteous triumphs of the Lord” and of His people (Jdg. 5:11), at feasts, sacrifices meant to honor God, and the very praise of God (2 Ch. 5:3). Singers and musicians were required to be faithful, perform skillfully, and act “as one, to make sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord,” which often moved God to fill the house of the Lord with a cloud (2 Ch. 5:13, 34:12).
Similar teachings can be found in over 150 examples in the Book of Psalms.
There are other clearly defined purposes for music, and they are all divinely positive in their purpose. These include:
- To shout for joy in praise, and praise His holy Name (Psa. 30:4; 33:2-3; 71:23; 150:1-6)
- A precept to prophecy (2 Ki. 3:14-16)
- To raise sounds of joy toward God (1 Ch. 15:15-17)
- To soothe those who are being troubled by an evil spirit, providing relief and calming distress (1 Sa. 16:14-23)
- For a sacred song (1 Ch. 16:42)
- To honor and send away those who were moving (Gen. 31:27)
- To aid in understanding of a proverb (Psa. 49:4)
- To promote steadfast love, justice, integrity of heart/eyes, and faithfulness (Psalm. 101:1-3)
- As a regular act of thanks during all the days of living before God (Isa. 38:19-21)
- Teaching and admonishing one another (Col. 3:16a)
- Singing to God with gratitude in your hearts (Col 3:16b)
- As an act of happiness, to sing songs of praise (Jas. 5:13)
- To sing and make music from your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19)
- Poets and singers were believed to do so under divine inspiration (see Tit. 1:12)
Music was divinely created with an obligation to be used to glorify God, never ourselves (see Amos 6:4-6). Music touches the soul in a way that is unique and mysterious. God created it and connected it to our senses and emotions in such a way that it engages our intellectual, faith-based relationship with Him. As we praise God through musical worship, a unique connection occurs between humanity and God that bonds our heart, mind, soul, and spirit to Him. And, at that moment, God removes any idol in our lives, restoring a divine relationship as intended––with our focus on Him and Him alone. Thus, He inhabits our praise because we chose to draw near to Him––even in times of tears and desperation––with our adoration and worship.
Scripturally, music was never intended for prosperity, self-indulgence, to sing idle songs, to worship or despise humanity, or to praise or bow toward humanity (see Amos 6:4-6). Thus, any human perversion of music is an act of rebellion instigated by the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). It is Lucifer, now Satan, that––created a perfect being in every way, with the ability to play beautiful music through his “workmanship” and to understand its purpose as well (Eze. 28:12-15)––seeks to destroy the relationship between God and humanity by distorting the divine nature of music.
Music is a divine gift of God that tangibly embodies His very image and nature when it is treated by humanity as intended. It transcends our being in an ineffable way that ensures all humanity can perceive and desire Jesus Christ, and receive the healing balm of His Spirit.
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