Praise and Worship Music & the DanceRelated articles: "Revival Articles" | "Time to Dance" | "Legalism" | "Lifting Holy Hands" | "Dance in the Bible" | Free Christmas, Fiddle, Guitar Shredding & Hymn Sheet Music with Audio Files For those of you who like to sing and dance in the church, and for those of you who still are questioning it, I hope this will be enlightening. Study it with an open mind, remember when we praise and worship JESUS, we call down the anointing, and "the anointing breaks the yoke." [Isa 10:27] "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand" [Ps.149:5,6]
I. The history of musical instruments can be traced throughout the Bible.
A. The earliest instruments of music (Hebrew, "kinnor" translated "harp" in Gen 4:21)
were invented by a man named Jubal.
B. Other instruments were later made by David (I Chronicles 23:5; II Chron 7:6; 29:26) and Solomon (II Chron 9:11). C. Some were made of silver (Num 10:1-2), some of brass (I Chron 15:19) and some of
fir wood (II Sam 6:5).
D. The use of musical instruments in worship can be seen both in the Old (I Chron 13:8;
II Chron 5:12-13; Neh 12:3541; etc.) and in the New Testaments (Rev 5:8-9; 14:2-3; 15:20;
18:22).
E. However, instruments were used on occasions other than the worship of God.
1. The timbrel (tambourine) was popular in use with dance to celebrate military victories. Exo 15:1-21; Judges 11:34; I Sam 18:6-7 2. The trumpet was used to proclaim feast days (Lev 23:23-25; 25:9); to gather an assembly (Num 10:1-8); to sound an alarm for battle against the enemy (Num 10:9; Neh 4:18, 20; Joel 2:1; Amos 3:6; Jer 4:19; I Cor 14:8); and to herald the arrival of a new king (I Kgs 1:34-41). 3. The harp was used during joyous secular festivities, as well as the oboe (Isaiah 5:12;
Amos 5:23; 6:4-6) which was also played during funeral ceremonies (Matt 9:23).
4. Solomon listened to music for his own personal enjoyment. (Ecc 2:1, 8)
5. Many instruments came to be used in the worship of pagan gods. (Dan 3:4 7, etc.) II. The musical inventions of Jubal (Genesis 4:21) eventually led to the development of many varied instruments. A. Stringed instruments. (Psalms 33:2; 150:4; Isaiah 38:20) 1. Viols. (Isa 14:11; Amos 5:23; 6:5)
2. Psaltery, harp and lyre. Gen 4:21; 31:26-27; I Sam 10:5; 2 Sam 6:5; I Kgs 10:12; Job 21 :12; 30:31; I Chron 13:8; 15:16, 28; 16:5, 42; 25:1, 6; 2 Chron 5:12-13; 9:11; 20:28; 29:25; Neh 12:27; Ps 33:2; 71:22; 92:3; 108:2; 137:4; 144:9; 149:3; 150:3;Isa 5:12;30:32; Ezek 26:13; Dan 3:5, 7, 10, 15;I Cor 14:7; Rev 5:8; 14:2; 15:2 3. Dulcimer. (Dan 3:5, 10, 15)
B. Wind instruments.
1. Trumpet, horn and cornet. (Lev 25:9; Num 10:1-10; Josh 6:5, 20; Judges 7:16-22; I
Kgs 1:34-41; I Chron 13:8; 15:28; 16:42; 25:5; 2 Chron 5:12-13; 15:14; 29:26-29; Ezra
3:10; Neh 12:35, 41; Ps 98:6; 150:3; Dan 3:5, 7, 10, 15; Hosea 5:8; Zech 9:14-15)
2. Flute (sometimes translated "pipe" or "organ"). [Gen 4:21; I Sam 10:5; I Kgs 1:40; Job 21:12;30:31; Ps 150:4; Isa 5 :12; 30:29; Jer 48:36; Dan 3:5, 7, 10, 15; Luk 7:32] 3. Sackbut (trombone). [Dan 3:5, 7, 10, 15]
C. Percussion instruments.
1. Cymbals. 2 Sam 6:5; I Chron 13:8; 15:16, 19, 28; 16:5, 42; 25:1, 6; II Chron 5:12-13;
29:25; Ezra 3:10; Neh 12:27; Ps 150:5; I Cor 13:1
2. Tambourine (timbrel; or tabret, pl.). [Gen 31:27]
3. Bells. Exo 15:20; Judges 11:34; I Sam 10:5; 18:6; II Sam 6:5;
I Chron 13:8; Job 21:12; Ps 68:25; 81:2; 149:3; 150:4; Jer
31:4; Exo 28:33-35
4. Sistra or rattle (Hebrew "mnaamin" = cornets). [II Samuel 6:5]
5. Triangle ("shalishim," here translated "instruments of music"). [I Sam 18:6]
III. What place does human training or natural talent have in the ministry of music?
A. Some skill (human training) is involved in ministering through music. 1
Samuel 15:22; 16:17; Psalms 33:3; 1 Chronicles 15:22,25:7
B. In the Old Testament there were instructors of music. (1 Chron 15:22; 25:7-8; 2 Chron 23:12) C. However, skill is not enough. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke (Isa 10:27)(1
Sam 16:18). There is a realm of prophetic music. (1 Sam 16: 14-23; 2 Kgs 3:15; 1 Chron
25:1, 3, 6-7)
D. David was a musician famous both for the skill by which he played and the anointing under which he ministered. 1 Sam 16:16-23 E. Truly anointed music has a powerful effect on its hearers.
1. Spiritual deliverance may be obtained. (1 Sam 16:14-23; Ps 149:5-9)
2. "The priests could not stand to minister" because the Presence of the Lord was so real. (2 Chron 5:13-14) 3. It lifts the ministry about to come forth. (2 Kgs 3:14-16)
IV. The Scriptures repeatedly exhort us to "sing unto the Lord!" (Exo 15:21; Ps 33:3; 81:1; 149:1; etc.; Eph 5:18-19) A. Singing was a very prominent part of worship in the Old Testament. (1 Chron 16:9;
Ezra 2:41; Neh 7:67; Ps 66:2, 4; 68:4, 25, 32)
1. Solomon's songs numbered 1,005. (1 Kgs 4:32)
2. David had a choir of 288 voices. (1 Chron 25:7)
3. Worship in song marked many of the historical achievements of Israel.
a. Moses and the children of Israel, at the crossing of the Red Sea. (Exo 15:1-2,21) b. Deborah and Barak, at the defeat of Sisera. (Judges 5)
c. David and all Israel, at the bringing up of the ark of God. (1 Chron 15)
d. The Levites, at the foundation of the house of the Lord. (2 Chron 5:12 Ezra 3:11) e. The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. (Neh 12:27-29)
4. Those who were exceptionally "skillful" were appointed to be song leaders. (1 Chron 15:22, 27 Neh 12:46) B. Jesus and His disciples sang when gathered together. (Mat 26:30: Mark 14:26) C. The early church knew the power of praising God in song. (Acts 2:46-47; 16:25-26
1 Cor 14:15, 26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; James 5:13)
D. The angels of God worship continually in song. (Isa 6:3 Luk 2:13-14) E. This is what we will be doing for all eternity. (Rev 5:9; 14:3; 15:3) V. There is a difference between singing prepared music, in which the words and tune
are set (2 Chron 29:28), and the spontaneous or unpremeditated melody of "singing in the
spirit" (Col 3:16).
A. Spiritual worship is different from any type of natural singing. (1 Cor 14:15) B. It is "a new song," never before heard. (Ps 33:3; 149:1) C. It is acceptable in the assembly as well as in private prayer. [Acts 4:24 (all with one
accord )] [Eph 5:18-19 ]
VI. Did dancing historically have any place among the people of God?
A. Dancing commonly took place at the celebration of military victories. (I Sam 18:6; 21:11; 30:16) B. It was accompanied very early by the playing of musical instruments and singing. Exo 15:20-21; Judges 11:34; I Sam 18:6;21:11; Jb 21:11-12 C. Both men (I Sam 6:14; 30:16; I Chron 15:29; Acts 3:6-8) and women (Exodus 15:20-21; Judges 2:21; 11:34; I Sam 18:6) took part in this means of expression. D. Although intended to be used for the praise of God alone (Ps 149:3; 150:4), dancing soon came to be a practice in the worship of pagan gods as well (Exo 32:6; 19; I Kgs 18:26). E. As an expression of joy (Ps 30:11; Lamentations 6:15), dancing is prophetically described by Jeremiah as present among God's people at the fulfillment of the promise of full restoration (Jeremiah 31:4, 13). F. "David danced before the Lord with all his might" at the bringing up of the ark of God.II Sam 6:5, 14 (I Chron 13:8) NOTE: The same word literally translated "dance" in verse 14 is in verse 5 mistranslated "played". G. Although it is evil when used to appeal to the carnal nature of man (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:22), dancing is appropriate in its place (Ecc 3:4) and is not to be despised (I Chron 15:29). The scriptures exhort us to praise God in dance (Ps 149:3; 150:4). VII. Individual heart attitudes and entire group participation are both very important, if
the Spirit is to move in a worship service.
A. The importance of unity.
1. "... the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in
praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice (singular) ...
then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud ... so that the priests could not
stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the
house of God." 2 Chron 5:13-14
2. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord
in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it fill all the house where they were sitting. And there
appeared unto them cloven tongues ... and they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues." (Acts 2:1-4)
3. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity ... for there the
Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." (Ps.133:1,3)
B. "With gladness" and joy. (1 Chron 15:16; 2 Chron 29:28, 30; Neh 12:27) C. "With all their might." (1 Chron 13:8)
D. "In your heart" (not routinely) and "to the Lord" (not to each other or to an audience). [Col 3:16; Eph 5:19] VIII. Whether by the use of instruments, song, or dance, music is a very scriptural means
of expression towards God.
A. Hundreds of scripture verses describe or make reference to the purest form of music -- the spiritual worship that will fill all eternity (Ps 150; etc. Rev 5:8-14; 7:15; etc.) B. It is this liberty of expression in which God delights (Ps 149:3-4), and it is the very purpose for which man was created (Rev 4:11). See also: "Revival Articles" | "Time to Dance" | "Legalism" | "Lifting Holy Hands" | "Dance in the Bible" | Free Christmas, Fiddle, Guitar Shredding & Hymn Sheet Music with Audio Files |
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