Home/Topics/Music

What the Bible Says About Music

Overview

The Bible addresses music across 324 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 1 Chronicles, Psalms and Exodus. Closely related themes include Praise, Levites, the, Song and Armies of Israel, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Saul, Moses and Nebuchadnezzar.

Key Bible verses about music

Old Testament

Exodus

Exodus 15:1

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:2

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:3

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

Exodus 15:4

Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

Exodus 15:5

The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

Exodus 15:6

Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Exodus 15:7

And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

Exodus 15:8

And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

Exodus 15:9

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. destroy: or, repossess

Exodus 15:10

Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

Exodus 15:11

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? gods: or, mighty ones?

Exodus 15:12

Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

Exodus 15:13

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Exodus 15:14

The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

Exodus 15:15

Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Exodus 15:16

Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Exodus 15:17

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

Exodus 15:18

The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

Exodus 15:19

For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

Exodus 15:20

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Exodus 15:21

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:22

So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

Exodus 15:23

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. Marah: that is Bitterness

Exodus 15:24

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Exodus 15:25

And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Exodus 15:27

And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

1 Samuel

1 Samuel 10:5

After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

1 Samuel 10:6

And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

1 Samuel 16:14

But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. troubled: or, terrified

1 Samuel 16:15

And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

1 Samuel 16:16

Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

1 Samuel 16:17

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

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.

1 Samuel 18:6

And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. Philistine: or, Philistines instruments: Heb. three stringed instruments

1 Samuel 18:7

And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 6:31

And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.

1 Chronicles 6:32

And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.

1 Chronicles 13:6

And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.

1 Chronicles 13:7

And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. carried: Heb. made the ark to ride

1 Chronicles 13:8

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. singing: Heb. songs

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.

1 Chronicles 15:17

So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

1 Chronicles 15:18

And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.

1 Chronicles 15:19

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

1 Chronicles 15:20

And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;

1 Chronicles 15:21

And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel. on the: or, on the eighth to oversee

1 Chronicles 15:22

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful. was for: or, was for the carriage: he instructed about the carriage song: Heb. lifting up

1 Chronicles 15:24

And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1 Chronicles 15:27

And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. song: or, carriage

1 Chronicles 15:28

Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

1 Chronicles 16:4

And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

1 Chronicles 16:5

Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; with psalteries: Heb. with instruments of psalteries and harps

1 Chronicles 16:6

Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

1 Chronicles 16:7

Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

1 Chronicles 16:8

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

1 Chronicles 16:9

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

1 Chronicles 16:10

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

1 Chronicles 16:11

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

1 Chronicles 16:12

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

1 Chronicles 16:13

O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

1 Chronicles 16:14

He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

1 Chronicles 16:15

Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;

1 Chronicles 16:16

Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;

1 Chronicles 16:17

And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

1 Chronicles 16:18

Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; the lot: Heb. the cord

1 Chronicles 16:19

When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. few, even: Heb. men of number, etc

1 Chronicles 16:20

And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

1 Chronicles 16:21

He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

1 Chronicles 16:22

Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

1 Chronicles 16:23

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

1 Chronicles 16:24

Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.

1 Chronicles 16:25

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

1 Chronicles 16:26

For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

1 Chronicles 16:27

Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

1 Chronicles 16:28

Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

1 Chronicles 16:29

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

1 Chronicles 16:30

Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

1 Chronicles 16:31

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

1 Chronicles 16:32

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

1 Chronicles 16:33

Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

1 Chronicles 16:34

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1 Chronicles 16:35

And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

1 Chronicles 16:36

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

1 Chronicles 16:37

So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

1 Chronicles 16:38

And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

1 Chronicles 16:39

And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,

1 Chronicles 16:40

To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel; morning: Heb. in the morning, and in the evening

1 Chronicles 16:41

And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;

1 Chronicles 16:42

And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters. porters: Heb. for the gate

1 Chronicles 23:3

Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

1 Chronicles 23:5

Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.

1 Chronicles 23:6

And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. courses: Heb. divisions

1 Chronicles 23:27

For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above: numbered: Heb. number

1 Chronicles 23:30

And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;

1 Chronicles 25:1

Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

1 Chronicles 25:2

Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king. Asarelah: otherwise called Jesharelah according: Heb. by the hands of the king

1 Chronicles 25:3

Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD. Zeri: or, Izri

1 Chronicles 25:4

Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth: Uzziel: also called, Azareel, ver.18. Shebuel: also called, Shubael, ver.20.

1 Chronicles 25:5

All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. words: or, matters

1 Chronicles 25:6

All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. according: Heb. by the hands of the king

1 Chronicles 25:7

So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.

1 Chronicles 25:8

And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

1 Chronicles 25:9

Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:10

The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:11

The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:12

The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:13

The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:14

The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:15

The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:16

The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:17

The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:18

The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:19

The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:20

The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:21

The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:22

The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:23

The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:24

The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:25

The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:26

The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:27

The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:28

The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:29

The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:30

The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:31

The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 5:11

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: present: Heb. found

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:)

2 Chronicles 5:13

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

2 Chronicles 7:6

And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. by their: Heb. by their hand

2 Chronicles 20:19

And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. that: Heb. praisers

2 Chronicles 20:22

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. And when: Heb. And in the time that they, etc to sing: Heb. in singing and praise they were: or, they smote one another

2 Chronicles 20:28

And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 23:11

Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king. God: Heb. Let the king live

2 Chronicles 23:13

And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. Treason: Heb. Conspiracy

2 Chronicles 23:18

Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David. as it was: Heb. by the hands of David

2 Chronicles 29:25

And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. commandment of the LORD: Heb. commandment by the hand of the LORD by: Heb. by the hand of

2 Chronicles 29:26

And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.

2 Chronicles 29:27

And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. when: Heb. in the time the instruments: Heb. hands of instruments

2 Chronicles 29:28

And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. singers: Heb. song

2 Chronicles 30:21

And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. present: Heb. found loud: Heb. instruments of strength

2 Chronicles 31:2

And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 35:15

And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them. place: Heb. station

2 Chronicles 35:25

And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.

Ezra

Ezra 2:64

The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

Ezra 2:65

Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.

Ezra 3:9

Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. Judah: or, Hodaviah,Chap.2.40 together: Heb. as one

Ezra 3:10

And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.

Ezra 3:11

And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 12:24

And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.

Nehemiah 12:27

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

Nehemiah 12:28

And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;

Nehemiah 12:29

Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 12:30

And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Nehemiah 12:31

Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:

Nehemiah 12:32

And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,

Nehemiah 12:33

And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,

Nehemiah 12:34

Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,

Nehemiah 12:35

And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:

Nehemiah 12:36

And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.

Nehemiah 12:37

And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.

Nehemiah 12:38

And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;

Nehemiah 12:39

And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.

Nehemiah 12:40

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

Nehemiah 12:41

And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;

Nehemiah 12:42

And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. sang: Heb. made their voice to be heard

Nehemiah 12:43

Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

Nehemiah 12:44

And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. of the law: that is, appointed by the law for Judah: Heb. for the joy of Judah waited: Heb. stood

Nehemiah 12:45

And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.

Nehemiah 12:46

For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

Nehemiah 12:47

And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. sanctified: that is, set apart

Psalms

Psalms 33:1

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

Psalms 33:2

Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

Psalms 33:3

Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

Psalms 33:4

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

Psalms 68:1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. before: Heb. from his face

Psalms 68:2

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

Psalms 68:3

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. exceedingly: Heb. rejoice with gladness

Psalms 68:4

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Psalms 68:5

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Psalms 68:6

God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. in families: Heb. in a house

Psalms 68:7

O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

Psalms 68:8

The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Psalms 68:9

Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. send: Heb. shake out confirm: Heb. confirm it

Psalms 68:10

Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

Psalms 68:11

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. company: Heb. army

Psalms 68:12

Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. did: Heb. did flee, did flee

Psalms 68:13

Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

Psalms 68:14

When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. in it: or, for her, she

Psalms 68:15

The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.

Psalms 68:16

Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.

Psalms 68:17

The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. even: or, even many thousands

Psalms 68:18

Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. for men: Heb. in the man

Psalms 68:19

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Psalms 68:20

He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.

Psalms 68:21

But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

Psalms 68:22

The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:

Psalms 68:23

That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. dipped: or, red

Psalms 68:24

They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

Psalms 68:25

The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

Psalms 68:26

Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. from: or, ye that are of the fountain of Israel

Psalms 68:27

There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. and their: or, with their company

Psalms 68:28

Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

Psalms 68:29

Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

Psalms 68:30

Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war. the company: or, the beasts of the reeds scatter: or, he scattereth

Psalms 68:31

Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

Psalms 68:32

Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

Psalms 68:33

To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. send: Heb. give

Psalms 68:34

Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. clouds: or, heavens

Psalms 68:35

O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

Psalms 71:22

I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. the psaltery: Heb. the instrument of psaltery

Psalms 81:1

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. of Asaph: or, for Asaph

Psalms 81:2

Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

Psalms 81:3

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

Psalms 87:7

As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

Psalms 92:1

A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

Psalms 92:2

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, every: Heb. in the nights

Psalms 92:3

Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. the harp: or, the solemn sound with the harp a solemn: Heb. Higgaion

Psalms 95:1

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Psalms 95:2

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. come: Heb. prevent his face

Psalms 98:1

A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Psalms 98:2

The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. openly: or, revealed

Psalms 98:3

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalms 98:4

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Psalms 98:5

Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

Psalms 98:6

With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

Psalms 98:7

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. the fulness: or, all it containeth

Psalms 98:8

Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

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.

Psalms 105:2

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Psalms 135:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

Psalms 135:2

Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,

Psalms 135:3

Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

Psalms 137:1

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Psalms 137:2

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

Psalms 137:3

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. a song: Heb. the words of a song wasted: Heb. laid us on heaps

Psalms 137:4

How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? strange: Heb. land of a stranger?

Psalms 137:5

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

Psalms 137:6

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. my chief: Heb. the head of my joy

Psalms 144:9

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Psalms 149:1

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Praise: Heb. Halleluiah

Psalms 149:2

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Psalms 149:3

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. in: or, with the pipe

Psalms 149:6

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; mouth: Heb. throat

Psalms 150:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise ye: Heb. Hallelujah

Psalms 150:2

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Psalms 150:3

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. trumpet: or, cornet

Psalms 150:4

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. dance: or, pipe

Psalms 150:5

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Psalms 150:6

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Isaiah

Isaiah 5:12

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Isaiah 14:11

Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

Isaiah 16:10

And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.

Isaiah 23:16

Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.

Isaiah 24:8

The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.

Isaiah 24:9

They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

Isaiah 30:29

Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel. mighty: Heb. Rock

Isaiah 30:32

And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. in every: Heb. every passing of the rod founded lay: Heb. cause to rest upon him with it: or, against them

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 26:13

And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.

Ezekiel 28:13

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. sardius: or, ruby beryl: or, chrysolite emerald: or, chrysoprase

Ezekiel 33:32

And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. a very: Heb. a song of loves

Ezekiel 40:44

And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having the prospect toward the north.

Daniel

Daniel 3:4

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, aloud: Cald. with might it: Cald. they command

Daniel 3:5

That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: dulcimer: or, singing: Cald. symphony

Daniel 3:6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:7

Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Daniel 3:10

Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

Daniel 3:11

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:12

There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. have: Cald. have set no regard upon thee

Daniel 3:13

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Daniel 3:14

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? true: or, of purpose

Daniel 3:15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Daniel 3:16

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Daniel 6:18

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. instruments: or, table

People in the Bible and music

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying music for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 4:21, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how 1 Chronicles, Psalms and Exodus each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of David, Saul and Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Praise, Levites, the, Song and Armies of Israel, the.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about music?

The Bible addresses music across 324 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 1 Chronicles, Psalms and Exodus. Closely related themes include Praise, Levites, the, Song and Armies of Israel, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Saul, Moses and Nebuchadnezzar.

How many Bible verses are about music?

The Bible references music in 324 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention music?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 4:21: “And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with music?

David, Saul, Moses, Nebuchadnezzar and Shadrach.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on music.

Preach a series on Music