God's Gift Of Music

Scripture from the Music Box

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,

teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,

singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

-Colossians 3:16

What is “Worship”?

A Gift from God

As is the case with all the arts and sciences, music is a divine gift. To put it in categorical terms, music is one part of what is often referred to as “common grace.” This means that it is created, designed, and provided by our Maker to be enjoyed by all, regardless of ethnicity, culture, even spiritual status or claims. We find common grace in passages like Psalm 145:9, Matthew 5:45, and Luke 6:35. It must also be understood that, unlike the animal kingdom, we humans, who are created in the image of God, recognize and enjoy beauty on a far higher level, including music.

For the believer, music is narrower yet as it can also serve as a spiritual blessing. We have the privilege of praising, petitioning, and pointing to the one true God through words set to melody and verse. The Psalms themselves are expressions set to music in the form of choirs and instrumental accompaniment. The earliest example of vocal music is found in Exodus 15.  The earliest mention of crafted musical instruments is found in Genesis 4:21.

Something that is worth mention here is the common and sometimes inaccurate use of the word “worship.” In the vernacular, whenever we hear the word “worship,” it far too often is defined as music sung in a church service or some kind of gathering among professing believers. But that is a misapplication of the term. In today’s climate, the following statement may come as a surprise: music is not worship. Rather music is one among the endless ways to worship, but not worship per se.

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul tells the reader that “…whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” We find similar admonitions in Colossians 3:17, Luke 1:46, etc. It is because of passages like these that we find in the catechisms and confessions that the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. In a church service, everything done as a group is (or should be) worship: corporate prayer, the giving of offerings, the reading of His word, the study of His word, and, yes, singing and making music.

The Great Hymns of the Faith

Hymns are chiefly for the purposes of corporate worship. Two New Testament passages in particular, Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, use the phrase, “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” These are not just throwaway words; best as we are able to surmise, they are actual categories.

It seems that since the beginning of time hymns have been around. They are for the purpose of bringing glory to our Creator and Redeemer. They may serve as credal confessions. They are often requests. Sometimes they are declarations of what already is and of Who He is.

Here in the church age we have what are called by many “the great hymns of the faith,” because they are just that: great declarations of the truths, principles, and narratives found in God’s written word, the Bible, all set to rhythm, melody and verse. This is why history has demonstrated time and again the stubborn stamina of these great songs.