What Does the Bible Say About Instrumental Music?

Ephesians 5:19 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Romans 10:17 ESV / 17 helpful votes

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ...

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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.

James 5:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Romans 15:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”

Hebrews 13:15 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Hebrews 2:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Romans 15:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Acts 16:25 ESV / 7 helpful votes

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

Psalm 33:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

Matthew 26:30 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Psalm 81:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.

Amos 5:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.

Revelation 22:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,

Matthew 28:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 15:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Psalm 144:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,

2 Samuel 6:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

Revelation 14:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,

Revelation 5:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

1 Peter 1:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1 Timothy 2:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

Colossians 2:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

Romans 14:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Romans 7:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Acts 20:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

Acts 11:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 4:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Isaiah 55:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

Psalm 149:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!

2 Chronicles 29:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king's seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets.

Revelation 22:18-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Revelation 2:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Jude 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

2 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

1 John 3:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

1 Peter 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Hebrews 11:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

Hebrews 10:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Hebrews 10:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.

Hebrews 7:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Colossians 1:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Galatians 5:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

Galatians 5:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

Galatians 3:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— ...

1 Corinthians 14:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Acts 2:47 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

John 17:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Luke 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Luke 16:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Luke 15:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

Luke 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Luke 13:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Mark 16:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Matthew 28:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 22:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

Matthew 15:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.

Matthew 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Proverbs 30:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Psalm 150:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

Psalm 71:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.

2 Chronicles 29:25-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king's seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets. The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished.

1 Chronicles 23:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

4,000 gatekeepers, and 4,000 shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments that I have made for praise.”

1 Chronicles 15:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the Lord had chosen them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister to him forever.

Genesis 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.

Genesis 4:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.

78 Bible Verses about Instrumental Music

Ephesians 5:19 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:17 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 15:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:15 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 2:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 15:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 16:25 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 33:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 26:30 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 81:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Amos 5:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 22:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 144:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 6:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 14:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 5:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 7:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 20:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 11:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 4:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 55:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 149:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Chronicles 29:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 22:18-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jude 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 7:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 3:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:47 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 15:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 13:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 22:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 30:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 14:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 150:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 71:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Chronicles 29:25-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Chronicles 23:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Chronicles 15:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 4:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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