Music Scriptures 2009

Search Strings: Bible Verses About Music; Choir Devotions; Musician's Devotions; Scriptural Purposes of Music; Music in the Bible

©2009 Whitney V. Myers.
This material may be reproduced for not-for-sale applications. Please include the copyright attribution.

2Jan09 - Psalm 13:5-6 - Spirtual Purposes of Music - Praise
"But I have trusted in Thy lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." -- Psalm 13:5-6

Consider: As we begin the new year, consider all the ways that God has dealt bountifully with you. Let us together sing His praise!

11Jan09 - Psalm 5:11-12 - Spiritual Purposes of Music - Joy

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with favor as with a shield."
-- Psalm 5:11-12 (NIV)

One of the main spiritual purposes of music is to express our joy. Consider the reasons to sing for joy given in this passage. God provides us refuge in him. God spreads his protection over us. God blesses us. God surrounds us with favor as a shield. In the same way that the psalmist confidently expresses, "For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous," let us confidently and joyfully sing for him.

18Jan09 - "I Will Call Upon the Lord" - Spiritual Purposes of Music

"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." -- Psalm 18:3 (KJV)

"The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted." -- Psalm 18:46 (KJV)

"Therefore, I will give thanks to Thee among the nations, O Lord, and I will sing praises to Thy name." -- Psalm 18:49 (NAS)

Think about and remember times when the Lord has delivered our nation from our enemies. Consider times when God has delivered you from personal enemies. Like David (the psalmist), let us remember that God is the Hero; it is He who has delivered us, and not we ourselves. That is why David vows to sing praises to His name.

Listen to "I Will Call Upon the Lord" sung by "The Blessings" at Laguna Indonesian Fellowship

1Feb09 - Psalm 28:7 - Bible Verses About Music - Give Thanks

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." -- Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head." -- Psalm 3:3 (NIV)

In Psalm 28:7, the psalmist focuses on God as our strength and shield. "That one's king is his shield (protector) was a common concept in ancient Israel" (Ref. 1). In response to God, our protector, our heart (that is, the center of our human spirit) trusts in him. "Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to him" (Ref. 2).

Ref. 1 - NIV Study Bible, notes on Psalm 3:3
Ref. 2 - The Living Bible, Psalm 28:7

1March09 - Genesis 4:21 - Inventor of the Flute

"And Lamech took to himself two wives; the name of one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah. And Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. And his brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and the pipe. As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-Cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah." -- Genesis 4:19-22

Gensis 4:21 is the first Bible reference to music, "And his brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the lyre and the pipe." Music is given a prominent place in mankind's history - along with the raising of food (Jabal), and the fabrication of tools (Tubal-Cain). Jubal is credited as the inventor of the flute. According to Wikipedia, "some ancient flutes were made out of tibias (shin bones)" (Ref 1).

Ref. 1 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flute

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for inspiring people to make musical instruments. Thank you, Lord, for the gifted teachers you have provided who have taught us music.  Thank you, Lord, for talented musicians that bring us joy as we worship You.  Help us to use our voices and musical instruments in ways that are pleasing to You.  Amen.

29March09 - Psalm 96:1-3 - Bible Verses About Music

"Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples." -- Psalm 96:1-3

The scripture declares the phrase, "Sing to the Lord," three times in the first two verses of this passage. First, we are to sing to the Lord a "new song." We sing a new song because God has delivered us from our former life and has given us a new life in Christ (Psalm 40:1-3). Second, all the earth is called to sing to the Lord. God invites all the peoples of the earth to join in worshiping Him. For He alone is God (Isaiah 45:5). Third, we are to sing to the Lord to bless His name. Our praises are directed to God. He is our Savior and provider (Psalm 103:1, Isaiah 43:11). Finally, we are to proclaim glad tidings (the good news) of His salvation day to day (daily). Our music needs to proclaim to the peoples of the world God's glory and God's salvation message, and do so every day.

9April 09 - Matthew 26:30 - Bible Verse About Music

"And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." -- Matthew 26:30

On the night before he died, Jesus celebrated The Passover with his disciples. The Passover celebration concluded with a hymn, the second half of the Hallel Psalms (Ps. 115-118). Consider: Jesus, knowing fully what he was about to suffer, sang these words, "This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps. 118:24).

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you chose to suffer and die in our place. Thank you that we will live forever with you because of your sacrifice. With each new day, help us choose to rejoice and choose to be glad that we may serve you with thankfulness.

9May 09 - Psalm 32:7 - "You Are My Hiding Place"

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." -- Psalm 32:7 (NIV)

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you." -- Psalm 56:3 (NIV)

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, I am strong." -- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

The author, Michael Ledner, composed "You Are My Hiding Place" at the age of 27 when he was going through a painful period in his life, a period of separation from his wife. He shared the song with several friends, made a recording of it, and set it aside. Nine months later he shared the song with a group while they were serving at a kibbutz (communal settlement) in Israel. These friends took the song back with them to California, and after it was sung there, Michael was contacted by Maranantha! Music who wished to record "You Are My Hiding Place." (Ref. 1)

Michael Ledner has since remarried, become a pastor, and has served as pastor at churches in Arizona.

Reference 1 - "Celebrate Jesus" (The Stories Behind Your Favorite Praise and Worship Songs) by Phil Christiansen and Shari MacDonald

Consider: How do you identify with God as your "hiding place"? Do you need his comfort and strengthening now? If yes, then go to God in prayer and ask his help.

Please listen to this beautiful video & music (click once) "You Are My Hiding Place"

27July 09 - "Jesus Loves Me"

The Story Behind “Jesus Loves Me”

“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” – Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)

Today, perhaps you need to know in a special way that Jesus loves you. Perhaps today you need to feel his loving welcome. Jesus welcomes you into his arms, and he wants to bless you. Listen to the music, respond to his invitation, and you will be blessed.

Jesus Loves Me is loved by children and adults alike. The original version, stanza 1, was written by Anna B. Warner in 1860. David Rutherford McGuire wrote stanzas two and three. The lyrics first appeared as a poem in a novel called Say and Seal, written by Anna’s sister, Susan Warner, and was published in 1860. William B. Bradbury found the text of "Jesus Loves Me" in a book in which the words were spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child. Mr. Bradbury composed the tune in 1862. Along with his tune, Bradbury added his own chorus, "Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me..." After publication, “Jesus Loves Me” became one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches around the world. (Ref. 1)

In 1943, in the Solomon Islands, John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 was rammed and sunk. Islanders Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana who found Kennedy and the survivors remember that when they rode on PT boats to retrieve the survivors, the Marines sang this song with the natives, who learned it from missionaries. (Ref. 1)

LISTEN (click once) - Link to "Jesus Loves Me" sung by the Gaither Vocal Band

Link to “Jesus Loves Me” lyrics – five stanzas (PDF)

Reference 1 – Wikipedia - Jesus Loves Me. The material is released under CC-BY-SA license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

23Aug09 - Psalm 100:1-5

"Shout for joy, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." -- Psalm 100:1-5 (NIV)

Consider today how we will approach God with joyful songs and an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Thanks be to God for his unfailing love and mercy.

Listen to the GPC Praise Team singing "Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving" (W. Myers)

Link to sheet music, "Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving" (W. Myers)


25Oct09 - Bible Verses About Music - 1 Chronicles 16:8-9

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts." -- 1 Chronicles 16:8-9 (NIV)


1Nov09 - Bible Verses About Music - 1 Chronicles 16:23-25

"Sing to the Lord, O earth, declare each day that he is the one who saves! Show his glory to the nations! Tell everyone about his miracles. For the Lord is great, and should be highly praised; He is to be held in awe above all gods. " -- 1 Chronicles 16:23-25 (TLB)


8Nov09 - Bible Verses About Music - Psalm 96:1-3

"O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" -- Psalm 96:1-3 (RSV)


21Nov09 - Bible Verses About Music - Psalm 108:3

"I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; and I will sing praises to Thee among the nations."
-- Psalm 108:3 (NAS)

29Nov09 - Bible Verses About Music - Psalm 87:7

"Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, 'All of my springs of joy are in you.' " -- Psalm 87:7 (NAS)

Let us give thanks to God, who is the source of our joy and all that refreshes.  "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." -- Psalm 36:9 (NIV).


13Dec09 - Bible Verses About Music - Psalm 126:1-6

"When Jehovah brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! How we laughed and sang for joy. And the other nations said, "What amazing things the Lord has done for them." Yes, glorious things! What wonder! What joy! May we be refreshed as by streams in the desert. Those who sow tears shall reap joy. Yes, they go out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, and return singing, carrying their sheaves." -- Psalm 126:1-6 (TLB)

Consider: Let us sing for joy as we remember what amazing things God has done for us.

©2009 Whitney V. Myers.
This material may be reproduced for not-for-sale applications. Please include the copyright attribution.