You would be hard-pressed to find an entire book of the Bible completely about one topic. But did you notice that God’s Word has an entire book devoted to music?
The Book of Psalms not only contains the most chapters of any book in Scripture, but it also has the longest chapter recorded (Ps. 119). And, we are given 150 examples of songs and prayers set to instrumental music. In fact, the original Greek word psalmoi, from which we derive “psalms,” implies words accompanied by musical instruments.
At the head of this songbook for the saints is a psalm that reminds us that before we worship through music, we are to do something far more vital: “Blessed is the one...whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Ps. 1:1–2). This calls for the worshiper to direct their thoughts, be mindful of (“full of mind”) and abide in the Word of God in their daily lives, which is not possible without rejecting the things of the world (v. 1). Therefore, the psalms are a call for God’s people and the local church to sing the Scriptures— song lyrics that are deeply rooted in God’s commands and His Word. Even the structure of the songbook of Psalms points to this. Notice that the five sections (Books 1–5) of the Psalms are a picture of the Torah (Pentateuch) and the laws of God.
The Psalms teach us that “decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge” (Ps. 119:54). If that is true, we are called to sing Christ wherever we are. He is the Word that became flesh (John 1:14) and whose name is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13). May we sing the Word, sing psalms (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), sing Christ!
Go Deeper
Does your local church ever sing songs directly taken from God’s Word? What is the benefit of setting the Bible to song? If you have musical talent, try setting one of your favorite psalms to music!
Pray with Us: Father, help those of us with musical gifts not to be shy or hesitant to use them for Your glory and for the good of the church. We long to be “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season” (Ps. 1:3).
BY Brian Lee
Dr. Brian Lee is a professor of Music at Moody Bible Institute. He serves in music ministry at Maranatha Bible Church in Chicago and is an active classical pianist as a soloist and chamber musician. He earned a doctorate from The Juilliard School and has been invited as a guest artist, adjudicator, masterclass teacher at many institutions, competitions, and festivals. He and his wife, Helen, are the parents of three sons.