Dance is a universal form of expression that has been an integral part of human culture for centuries. It can convey joy, celebration, worship, and even healing. In the Bible, dance is mentioned as a powerful way to honor God and rejoice in His goodness.
In this blog post, we will explore Bible verses about dance and discover the spiritual significance behind this art form. Join us as we delve into the Scriptures and uncover the deep connection between dance, faith, and the human spirit. Get ready to be inspired to express your worship to God through the beautiful language of dance.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Children Being A Blessing
Bible Verses About Dance
Psalm 149:3
“Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!”
God invites his people to worship him with joy and excitement through the art of dance. Dancing can be a form of expressing gratitude and reverence to the Lord.
Psalm 150:4
“Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!”
This verse encourages believers to worship and honor God with all the musical instruments available to them, including tambourines and dancing.
Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,”
God has ordained various seasons in our lives. There is a time to mourn and grieve, and there is also a time to dance and celebrate the goodness of the Lord.
2 Samuel 6:14
“And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.”
David danced before the Lord with all his might. His joyful and exuberant dance showed his reverence to God and expressed his gratitude for God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Jeremiah 31:13
“Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.”
God promises to turn our sorrow into joy. He will comfort us and fill our hearts with gladness. In response, we can celebrate and dance with joy and gratitude.
Psalm 30:11
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
In this verse, the psalmist expresses gratitude for the Lord’s intervention in his life. God has turned his mourning into dancing and clothed him with gladness.
Psalm 68:25
“The singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines:”
This verse describes a scene of joyful worship to God. It paints a picture of musicians and singers leading the people in worship, accompanied by the sound of tambourines played by the virgins.
Psalm 87:7
“Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
In this verse, both singers and dancers express their complete reliance on God for their satisfaction and fulfillment. They acknowledge that their joy and sustenance come from God alone.
Psalm 30:11
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
In this verse, the psalmist expresses gratitude for the Lord’s intervention in his life. God has turned his mourning into dancing and clothed him with gladness.
Lamentations 5:15
“The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning.”
This verse highlights the sadness and grief that comes when joy and dancing are taken away. It serves as a reminder to treasure every moment of dancing and rejoicing in the Lord.
Exodus 15:20-21
Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
In this passage, Miriam leads the women in worship and celebration through dance and song. It is a powerful demonstration of how dance can be used to honor and worship the Lord.
Psalm 30:1
“I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.”
This verse expresses the psalmist’s gratitude to the Lord for delivering him from his enemies. It is a reminder that we can lift our voices and dance in celebration of God’s victorious work in our lives.
1 Chronicles 13:8
And David and all Israel were rejoicing before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.
David and the people of Israel celebrated and worshipped God with all their might and all the musical instruments available to them. They rejoiced in the Lord through dance and song.
Psalm 149:3-4
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
God delights in the worship and praise of his people. We can offer our praises to him through dancing, making melody, and instruments.
Psalm 30:11
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
In this verse, the psalmist expresses gratitude for the Lord’s intervention in his life. God has turned his mourning into dancing and clothed him with gladness.
Psalm 149:1-3
Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
We can express our joy and gladness to God through dancing and making a melody with tambourines and lyres as a form of worship to Him.
Jeremiah 31:4
I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again, you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.
In this verse, God promises the rebuilt of Israel and the restoration of their rejoicing through dance as a celebration of the Lord’s goodness.
Psalm 27:6
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
In this verse, the Psalmist expresses his gratitude to God by dancing and singing with joy and incredible happiness, symbolizing his freedom from his enemies.
1 Samuel 18:6-7
When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”
In this passage, we can see that dancing in the praise and worship of God was common in the early days of Israel, and it was an excellent way to express their appreciation to God for the victories.
What does Scripture say about dancing?
Dancing is mentioned in several instances throughout the Bible, and its portrayal varies depending on the context. Here are some notable examples:
Positive portrayals of dancing
- David’s Dance of Praise: One of the most famous instances of dancing in the Bible is found in 2 Samuel 6:14-16. When King David successfully brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he is so overjoyed that he dances before the Lord with all his might. This act of exuberant praise and worship is seen as an expression of David’s deep reverence and gratitude towards God.
- Miriam’s Dance: After the Israelites cross the Red Sea, Moses’ sister, Miriam, leads the women in a dance of celebration and thanksgiving. This event is recorded in Exodus 15:20-21. The dancing is a response to the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians and marks the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
- Dancing at Festivals: In the Old Testament, dancing was also associated with various religious festivals and celebrations. For example, in the book of Judges, the young women of Shiloh dance during the yearly feast (Judges 21:19-23).
Negative portrayals of dancing
- Golden Calf Incident: In Exodus 32:19-25, dancing is associated with idolatry and disobedience. When Moses comes down from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments, he finds the Israelites worshipping a golden calf and engaging in revelry, including dancing. This incident led to severe consequences due to the people’s unfaithfulness.
- Dancing at the Feast of Herod: In the New Testament, dancing is also depicted negatively in the account of John the Baptist’s beheading. In Mark 6:21-29, King Herod’s stepdaughter dances before him, and he promises to give her whatever she desires, leading to the tragic request for John’s execution.
What Scripture talks about dance and praise?
Dancing is often connected to praise and worship in the Bible. It is considered a form of expression that can convey joy, gratitude, and reverence towards God. Several passages highlight the relationship between dance and praise:
- Psalm 149:3 (NIV): “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.” This verse encourages the use of dancing as an expression of praise to God, along with musical instruments like the timbrel and harp.
- Psalm 150:4 (NIV): “Praise him with timbrel and dancing; praise him with the strings and pipe.” Here, dancing is mentioned alongside other musical forms as a means of praising the Lord.
- Jeremiah 31:13 (NIV): “Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” This verse connects dancing with joy and comfort, signifying the positive impact of God’s blessings on His people.
- Psalm 30:11 (NIV): “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” This verse portrays dancing as a symbol of transformation, where God’s intervention turns sorrow into joy.
Was there dancing in the Bible?
The Bible records several instances where dancing is mentioned, both in the context of worship and secular events:
- Exodus 15:20-21: As mentioned earlier, after the crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam leads the women in dancing to celebrate the Israelites’ deliverance from the Egyptians.
- Judges 11:34: When Jephthah returns victorious from battle, his daughter comes out to meet him with timbrels and dancing, expressing their joy for the triumph.
- 1 Samuel 18:6-7: After David’s victory over Goliath, the women of Israel sing and dance in celebration of his triumph.
- Luke 15:25: In the parable of the prodigal son, there is a mention of dancing when the father celebrates the return of his lost son.
- Matthew 11:17: In Jesus’ critique of the religious leaders, He mentions their reaction to John the Baptist’s ascetic lifestyle, saying, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance.”
These examples illustrate that dancing was a part of various cultural and religious expressions in biblical times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible contains both positive and negative portrayals of dancing. It is often associated with praise and worship, with several Psalms mentioning dancing as a means of expressing joy and gratitude to God. David’s dance of praise and Miriam’s dance of celebration are among the most famous instances of dancing in the Bible. While dancing can be a beautiful expression of worship, it is crucial to understand the context and motivations behind it, as seen in the negative examples where dancing was associated with idolatry and sinful behavior.
Throughout history, dancing has remained an integral part of religious and cultural celebrations, and its significance in the Bible continues to influence various worship practices today. Understanding the biblical perspectives on dancing can help believers approach this form of expression with discernment, using it as a means to glorify God and celebrate His goodness.