A Biblical Philosophy of Music 1

7 August 2022 PM – Psalm 100:1-2 – Music22 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Read Psalm 100:1-2. Since God commanded us to sing to Him and in His presence, He obviously has a particular plan for our music. For this reason, we need a biblical philosophy of music. Someone defined a philosophy as “Why you do what you do.” You and I need biblical reasons for why we do what we do in the area of music.
Transition: I want to give you the first three of four biblical reasons that should govern why we do what we do with music.
1st biblical reason that should govern why we do what we do with music is …
  1. God Created Music
a.         He created music before He created man
1)         Note what we read in Job 38:4-7. “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?“
2)         Opinions differ as to whether the morning stars refer to angels or to the stars of heaven. Either way, music existed before man (cf., Psa 148:2-3).
b.         He gave man musical abilities.
1)         God created man in His own image. God put music in the instinctive melodies of birds and other creatures, but he gave man a creative appreciation for music.
2)         God placed within man an ability for music and musical instruments. (Genesis 4:21) “And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.” He was 7 generations after Adam.
3)         Elihu told Job that God gives “songs in the night.” (Job 35:10). These are just a few Bible examples.
  • Thus, because God created music, it belongs to Him, and we must use it in a way that pleases Him.
2nd biblical reason that should govern why we do what we do with music is …
2.        God as a Specific Purpose for Music
a.         God has a personal purpose for music.
1)         He wants our music to give Him praise.
a)         (Psalms 40:3) “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.“
b)         (Psalms 47:6) “Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.“
c)         (Psalms 104:33) “I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.“
d)         (Isaiah 42:10) “Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth…“
2)         He wants our music to give Him worship.
a)          (2 Chronicles 29:30) “Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.“
b)         (Psalms 66:4) “All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.“
3)         He wants our instrumental music to honour Him.
a)         (1 Chronicles 25:3) they “… prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.“
b)         (Psalms 98:5) “Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.“
c)         (Psalms 150:4) “Praise him with the timbrel and dance*: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.” * AHLB To twist and spin around from joy or pain as the drill.
4)         He wants our music to reflect His Spirit’s filling. (Ephesians 5:18-19) “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;“
b.         God has a human purpose for music.
1)         Men can misuse music for sinful purposes. Ecclesiastes 7:5 speaks of the song of fools. King Nebuchadnezzar used music to worship his idol in Daniel 3:7. Isaiah 23:15 describes one who sings as a harlot. (Singing as a harlot proves that music is not neutral. Some styles are sensual.)
2)         God wants our music is to edify others (Colossians 3:16) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.“
3)         Our music ought to calm troubled hearts. (1 Samuel 16:23) “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” (Acts 16:25) “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” This proved to be a witnessing testimony as well.
4)         Our music is an outlet for joy. (James 5:13) “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.” (Luke 15:25) “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing*.” *This dancing was joyful circular or ring dancing, or it may have been choir singing.
3rd biblical reason that should govern why we do what we do with music is …
3.        God Promoted Music in the Bible
a.         God appointed OT Levites as singers.
1)         (1 Chronicles 9:33) “And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.“
2)         (1 Chronicles 15:16) “And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.“
3)         (2 Chronicles 5:12) “Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)“
4)         (Ezra 7:24) “Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.“
b.         Frequently, God commands us to sing.
1)         Our text, Psalm 100:2
2)         (1 Chronicles 16:9) “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.“
3)         (Psalms 33:2) “Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.“
4)         (Psalms 95:1) “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.“
5)         (Psalms 147:7) “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:“
Conclusion: When it comes to music, why do we do what we do? (1) God created music. (2) God has a specific purpose for music. (3) God promoted music in the Bible. Think about what you heard this evening. How does your music fit into what God has shown us in His word? In the area of music, does the Bible govern why you do what you do? I challenge you to use the material I have given you to begin to build your OWN biblical philosophy of music.
Prayer & Lord’s Supper