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Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about music? After all, rock, classical, jazz, etc. didn't exist back then, so what does God think about it?
Did you ever have anyone question your convictions about music, and you didn't know just what to say? I've definitely experienced that! Well let's look at just a few passages concerning music that will focus our mind on what God has to say.
2 Samuel 6:5
1 Chronicles 15:16, 22
1 Chronicles 16:37-42
1 Chronicles 23:3-5
1 Chronicles 25:7
2 Chronicles 5:13
2 Chronicles 7:6
Nehemiah 12
Job 35:10
Psalm 32:7
Psalm 68:25
Psalm 71:22-23
Psalm 95
Psalm 137:3
Psalm 150:3-5
Isaiah 38:20
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:16
Hebrews 2:12
And those are just a few of the verses about music!
So, after looking at all these verses, what can we conclude that God says about music?
GOD'S PERSPECTIVE OF MUSIC:
1. Music is to be organized. (1 Chr. 15:16, 16:37-42, 23:3-5, 25:7, 2 Chr. 5:13, Neh. 12) David organized the musicians to praise God when he brought the Ark of the Covenant back to it's rightful place. Nehemiah organized musicians to praise God after the wall was complete. God is a God of organization, therefore, His music is also orderly.
2. Music is to praise God. (2 Sam. 6:5, 1 Chr. 16:37-42, 2 Chr. 5:13, 7:6, Neh. 12, Job 35:10, Psa. 32:7, 68:25, 71:22-23, 150:3-5, Isa. 38:20, Heb. 2:12) All throughout the Bible, music is a tool used to praise God. As Christians, our music today should have that same purpose in mind.
3. Music is to keep our hearts tender towards God. (2 Chr. 5:13, Job 35:10, Psa. 32:7, 95, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16) The Bible tells us to teach one another using song. And of course, music has an emotional pull, so listening to the right music should keep our hearts tender towards spiritual things.
4. Music is to be such that the world knows Christian music from secular music and is touched by the difference. (2 Chr. 5:13, Psa. 137:3) When Israel was in captivity, their captors recognized the positive affect good music had on the mind, and therefore asked their Israelite captives to sing the songs of home to ease their (the captors') spirits. They would rather listen to the Israelites' godly, healthy music than their own worldly music.
5. Music is to be studied. (1 Chr. 15:22, 25:7, Col. 3:16) The Bible indicates that there were people who instructed in music. This means that they had studied music, and used their knowledge to teach others. Chenaniah was one example. He was skillful in music, therefore he taught others. In 1 Chronicles 25:7, there were 288 musicians who studied music to serve God with it. Music should not be just a "by-the-way ministry" in our churches. It should be a very real and serious ministry.
6. Music is indicative of and influential to our spiritual walk. (2 Sam. 6:5, 2 Chr. 5:13) Remember when the evil spirit came over Saul? What did he do? He called for David to calm him using godly music. When the Israelites worshipped the golden calf, what kind of music did they listen to? The Bible says it sounded like a war. The music you and I listen to profoundly affects our spirit. It is also an evidence of our walk with God.
7. Music is powerful. (1 Sam. 16:14-23, Pro. 23:7, Acts 4:20, 1 Pet. 1:13-16) The Bible talks several times about influences on the mind. Therefore, it is important that we as human beings are very careful about what we allow to enter our mind (not only through our ears, but also our eyes).
THE WORLD'S PERSPECTIVE OF MUSIC:
Greek philosopher Plato had much to say about music, some good, and some terrifying. Listen to what he says:
"Music gives a soul to the universe,, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything."
"Musical innovation is full of danger to the State, for when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the State always change with them.
Albert Einstein said, "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music."
The famous composer Beethoven said that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
Martin Luther, who essentially began the Protestant Reformation, said, "My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary."
Finally, J. S. Bach said, "Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul."
So after reading these comments, would you agree that music has a definite influence over the subconscious part of our mind?
With both the perspective of God and secular scholars in mind, let's look at two main genres of music that the Christian (and any self-respecting human) should most definitely abstain from.
RAP:
"In rap music, even though the element of poetry is very strong, so is the element of the drum, the implication of the dance. Without the beat, its commercial value would certainly be more tenuous." - Archie Shepp (American saxophone player)
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says that rock, rap, heavy metal, hip-hop, and other such genres that have violent or inappropriate content, will heavily influence a young person's mind in a negative manner, leading to several forms of sin that a young person should never experience.
(Opinion alert...)
The lyrics of rap (and rock) are also tasteless, disgusting, and vulgar, devaluing all that the Christian should hold dear.
ROCK:
Rock has a similar problem with rap. Both share abhorrent lyrics. If we were to look up rock songs, you and I both would be appalled by the lyrics.
Another issue with rock, is the so-called "rock beat." John Lennon himself acknowledged this, saying that it comes from the jungles of Africa, where Satan-worshipping and demon-inviting music was rampant. Lennon also says that the best form of rock music is "primitive." This means that it does not stimulate the mind, but instead leaves it open for all kinds of evil forces to take hold. The rock beat weakens the muscles of the human body as well. Now what is the rock beat? It is the accenting of the rhythm over the melody.
Elvis Presley, the "King" of rock, says that rock music leads to a feeling that causes your body to move in sync with it. Of course, this leads to inappropriate movements by anyone affected by rock. It is important to note that this feeling does not always come from the lyrics, but from the actual music itself.
One final consideration, is that the lifestyles of rock stars are deplorable. No Christian should exalt someone who lives in wickedness and incredulously sinful lifestyles. (Yes, we support someone even by following them if we don't publicly lift them up.)
DOES MUSIC AFFECT ME?
What we take into our hearts, defines us as a person. (Prov. 23:7, Acts 4:20) We must be careful to only take clean, holy, and godly things into our hearts and minds. (Eccl. 7:5, 2 Cor. 10:5, 1 Pet. 1:13-16)
Time magazine published a report called "Why the Brain Craves Music" by a neuroscientist at a Montreal university saying that listening to music releases dopamine, the "addiction" or "pleasure" chemical, in the brain.
It is possible and likely that we could get addicted to the wrong type of music just by listening to it here and there. Again, this illustrates the importance of filtering what goes into our minds.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DOES GOD WANT ME TO LISTEN TO?
God is a God of order. (1 Cor. 14:40) Music has a proper order. (Psa. 68:25 - melody, then harmony, then rhythm) The melody is what identifies the song and speaks to our mind or spirit. Harmony gives the melody life and speaks to our emotions or soul. Rhythm keeps the melody moving and speaks to our body or flesh. Confusing the order of any of these three basic elements of music indicates then that the music should not be listened to.
God is a jealous God. (Exo. 34:14) Music should be to His honor and glory ALONE. (Psa. 33:2) After all, that is why you and I are created. (Rev. 4:11)
God also says that we should be educated about what music we put into our mind. (1 Cor. 14:6-11)
CONCLUSION:
The music a Christian should listen to and participate in should have these defining qualities:
• It should be skillful and orderly.
• It should glorify God, not the flesh.
• It should be sincere and from the heart.
I hope these thoughts have been a blessing to you. If you have any questions or are interested in discussing anything presented, please feel free to contact me.
God bless!
Aaron Dempsey