Music Worship New Testament

MUSIC AND WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Key passages in understanding the balance of the kind of music that should be expressed in worship is found in Ephesians 5:8, “Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs making melody in your heart to the Lord;” and 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.” Thus all three types of music including psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are valid biblical ways of expressing worship.

BLESS

eulogeo to speak well of

Luke 2:28 “Then took he (Simeon) him (Jesus) up in his arms, and blessed God…”

eulogetos – well-spoken of

Luke 1:67-68 “And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel…”

Luke 13:35 “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord”

Luke 19:37-38 “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”

John 12:12-13 “On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Romans 9:5 “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”

II Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”

II Corinthians 11:31 “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.”

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

I Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

eulogia good speech or utterance

Revelation 5:12-13 “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”

Revelation 7:9-12 “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.”

HARP(S)

kithara a harp, lyre

I Corinthians 14:7 “And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped.”

HARPERS

kitharodos a lyre singer (player), harpist, harper

Revelation 14:1-3 “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders; and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”

Revelation 18:22 “And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee (Babylon); and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;”

HARPING

kitharizo to play on a lyre, harp

Revelation 14:2 “And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:”

HOSANNA

hosanna Oh save! An exclamation of adoration; yasha to be open, wide or free, to be safe, to free or succor, salvation, savior, victory; na incitement and entreaty.

Matthew 21:9 “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”

Mark 11:9-10 “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.”

John 12:12-13 “On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

HYMN

humneo to hymn, sing a religious ode, celebrate God in song, sing an hymn, praise unto.

Matthew 26:30 “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.”

Mark 14:26 “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.”

Ephesians 5:18-20 “Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms ( psalmos a set piece of music, sacred ode accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument, a “psalm”, collectively the book of Psalms, psalm; psallo to play on a stringed instrument, celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes, make melody, sing psalms) and hymns (humnos to celebrate, a “hymn”, religious ode; ado to sing) and spiritual (pneumatikos non-carnal, supernatural, regenerate, religious, spiritual) songs (ode a chant or ode, any words sung, song; ado to sing), singing (ado to sing) and making melody (psallo to play on a stringed instrument, celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes, make melody, sing) in your heart (kardia heart, thoughts, feelings, mind) to the Lord; Giving thanks (eucharisteo to express gratitude towards, to be grateful, thankful; eucharistos well favored, grateful, thankful; charizomai to grant as a favor gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue, deliver, forgive, freely give or grant; charis graciousness, gratitude, favor, gift, grace, gracious, joy liberality pleasure, thanks worthy; chairo to be full of cheer, rejoice) always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word (logos word, Divine expression that is in Christ, something said and thought, reasoning, account, communication, teaching, doctrine, preaching, speech, tidings, treatise, utterance) of Christ dwell (enoikeo to inhabit, dwell in; oikeo to occupy a house, reside, remain, cohabit, dwell) in you richly (plousios abundantly, richly; plousios wealthy, abounding with, rich) in all wisdom (sophia wisdom, spiritual wisdom; sophos clear, wise) teaching (didasko to learn, to teach) and admonishing (noutheteo to put in mind, to caution or reprove gently, admonish, warn) one another in psalms (psalmos a set piece of music, a sacred ode, accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument, a psalm, book of Psalms) and hymns (humnos to celebrate, religious ode) and spiritual songs (pneumatikos non-carnal, supernatural, spiritual; ode song, any words sung, spiritual composition, Hebrew cantillation), singing (ado sing, to sing) with grace (charis graciousness, divine influence upon the heart and its influence upon the heart reflected in life, gratitude, acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace, gracious, joy liberality, pleasure, thanks and thanks worthy) in your hearts (kardia heart, the thoughts, feelings, mind, will, emotions) to the Lord (kurios supreme authority, controller, God, Lord, Master).”

HYMNS – human to sing a hymn

Matthew 26:30 “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.”

Mark 14:26 “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.”

LAUDE

epaineo to applaud

Romans 15:11 “And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.”

MELODY

psallo to play on a stringed instrument

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

MUSIC

sumphonia unison of sound, symphony, a concert of instruments, harmonious, music

Luke 15:25 “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.”

Musical - mousikos musical, minstrel, musician

Revelation 18:22 “And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee;”

PIPE

aulos flute, pipe

I Corinthians 14:7 “And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?”

PRAISE

epainos laudation, a commendable thing, praise; epi towards, upon; aineo to praise (God); ainos praise of God;

Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.”

Philippians 1:11 “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

I Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

Hebrews 2:11-12 “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”

Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

PSALMS

psalmos a set piece of music, sacred ode accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument, a psalm, collectively the book of the Psalms, psalm; psallo to play on a stringed instrument, celebrate divine worship with music and accompanying odes, make melody, sing psalms; ode a chant or ode, any words sung; ado to sing; humnos to celebrate, a hymn or religious ode, one of the Psalms.

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual song, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

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.”

James 5:13 “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.”

REJOICE

euphraino rejoice, make glad, make merry

Romans 15: 10 “And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.”

chairo to be full of cheer, calmly happy, well off, joy, rejoice

Luke 19:37 “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”

John 14:28 “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.”

John 16:22 “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”

Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.”

I Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice evermore.”

agalliao jump for joy, exult, be exceeding glad, exceeding joy, rejoice greatly

Revelation 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”

SING

aido to sing, sing without musical instruments

Ephesians 5:18-19 “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.” (See word study above)

SING

ado to sing, sing with musical instruments

Revelation 5:9-14 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessings. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and ever.”

Revelation 14:2-3 “And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of the harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”

Revelations 15:2-3 “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”

Romans 15:9-11 “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.”

I Corinthians 14:15 “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”

SING

psallo play on a stringed instrument, make melody, sing psalms

James 5:13 “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.”

SONG

ode a chant or ode, song

Ephesians 5:18-20 “Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to your selves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (See word study above)

Revelation 5:9-10 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 14:2-3 “And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”

SUNG

shiyr shur strolling minstrelsy, to sing

Matthew 26:30 “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.”

Mark 14:26 “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.”

Revelation 5:9-10 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 14:3 “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”

WORSHIP

latreuo to worship publically

Philippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

proskuneo to kiss the hand, toward, prostrate oneself in homage, do reverence to, adore, worship

Matthew 2:1-2 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:8 “And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”

Matthew 4:10 “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Matthew 8:2 “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

Matthew 9:18 “While he yet spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipping, saying, My daughter is even now dead; but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.”

Matthew 14:33 “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

Matthew 15:22 “Then came she (woman of Canaan) and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.”

Matthew 15:25 “Then came she (woman of Canaan) and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.”

Matthew 20:20 “Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.”

Matthew 28:9 “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.”

Matthew 28:17 “And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”

Mark 5:6 “But when he (Gadarenes) saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him.”

Luke 4:8 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Luke 24:51-52 “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.”

John 4:22 “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.”

John 4:23 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

John 9:38 “And he (blind man) said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”

John 12:20 “And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast.”

I Corinthians 14:25 “And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.”

Hebrews 1:6 “And again when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”

Hebrews 11:21 “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.”

Revelation 4:10-11 “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever, and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Revelation 5:14 “And the four and twenty beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and ever.”

Revelation 7:11-12 “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving and honor, and power, and might be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 11:15-17 “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.”

Revelation 14:7 “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment has come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Revelation 15:3-4 “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

Revelation 19:1-4 “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: for true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up forever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.”

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”

Revelation 22:9 “Then saith he (angel) unto me, See thou do it not (worship the angel): for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the saying of this book: worship God.”

proskunetes a worshipper

John 4:23 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

sebomai to venerate

Acts 16:14 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”

Acts 18:7 “And he (Paul) thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.”

CONCLUSION

Revelation 19:1-8 “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia.

And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”