Secular music can have a powerful influence on our thoughts, attitudes, and behavior, for better or for worse. The Bible encourages us to be discerning in our choices and to fill our minds and hearts with things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Let’s look into these verses together and learn how to cultivate a healthy and discerning approach to secular music, honoring God in all that we listen to and allowing His truth to shape our thoughts and desires.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Musical Instruments
Bible Verses About Secular Music
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
This verse reminds us to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly by engaging in worship through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. It emphasizes the importance of using music to teach and encourage one another, lifting our hearts in gratitude to God.
Ephesians 5:19
“Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”
Here, we are encouraged to communicate with one another using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire our expression. We are called to sing and make music from our hearts, directing our worship to the Lord.
Psalm 150:6
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.”
This verse calls for everything that has breath to praise the Lord. It does not specifically mention secular music, but it reminds us that everything we do, including our musical expression, should honor and glorify the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
This verse teaches us that everything we do should be done for the glory of God. When selecting music, we should consider if it brings glory to God and aligns with His values and principles.
Psalm 98:4
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.”
This verse encourages us to shout for joy to the Lord and burst into jubilant song with music. As we worship, we can use music as a form of expression to show our joy and gratitude to God.
Psalm 96:1
“Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.”
In this verse, we are called to sing a new song to the Lord. Our musical worship is an opportunity to express our praise and adoration to God in fresh and creative ways.
Psalm 33:3
“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
We are encouraged to sing a new song to God and play skillfully before Him. This verse emphasizes the importance of offering our best musical talents and abilities to God as an act of worship.
Psalm 150:1-6
“Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.”
This passage from Psalm 150 provides a comprehensive guide on how to praise the Lord through music. It encourages us to praise God in various ways, using different instruments and even incorporating physical expression such as dancing. All of these elements of worship can be done in a way that glorifies God.
Psalm 71:22
“I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.”
The psalmist declares his intention to praise God with the harp and sing praise with the lyre. This verse highlights the use of musical instruments as a means to express gratitude and acknowledge God’s faithfulness.
Psalm 149:3
“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.”
This verse encourages praising God’s name with dancing and making music using instruments such as the timbrel and harp. It reminds us that music can involve physical expression and be a joyful celebration of God’s goodness.
2 Chronicles 5:13
“The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: ‘He is good; his love endures forever.’ Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud.”
This passage describes a moment in which music was used to give praise and thanks to the Lord. The unity in their praise, along with the use of various instruments, led to an encounter with the presence of God in the temple. It demonstrates the power of music to create an atmosphere of worship.
Psalm 104:33
“I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
The psalmist commits to singing to the Lord for the entirety of his life. This verse conveys the longevity and consistency of worship through music, reflecting a heart filled with gratitude and devotion to God.
Psalm 100:2
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
We are encouraged to worship the Lord with gladness and approach Him with joyful songs. This verse reminds us that our musical worship should be characterized by a spirit of joy and gladness.
Psalm 86:12
“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”
Here, the psalmist expresses the intention to praise and glorify God with all his heart. This verse emphasizes the importance of wholehearted worship, including musical expression that is sincere and genuine.
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
This verse praises God and acknowledges His wonderful creation. It reminds us that when we engage in music, we can acknowledge and appreciate the creative abilities God has given us while glorifying Him through our expression.
Isaiah 12:5
“Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.”
The prophet Isaiah urges us to sing to the Lord because of the glorious things He has done. This verse underscores the power of music to proclaim God’s works and share His goodness with the world.
Psalm 104:34
“May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.”
This verse expresses a desire for our meditation and reflection to be pleasing to God. Music can be a form of meditation that brings delight to God and allows Him to speak to us through songs of praise and worship.
Psalm 146:2
“I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
The psalmist commits to praising the Lord and singing His praises for the entirety of his life. This verse reveals the intention to engage in musical worship as a lifelong journey, permeating all seasons of life.
Psalm 145:3
“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”
This verse acknowledges the greatness of the Lord and His unmatched worthiness of praise. It reminds us that our musical worship can focus on magnifying and exalting the splendor of God.
Psalm 147:1
“Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!”
The psalmist declares the goodness of singing praises to God and emphasizes the pleasantness and fittingness of praising Him. This verse highlights the inherent beauty and appropriateness of musical worship.
Psalm 9:2
“I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”
Here, the psalmist expresses joy, gladness, and a determination to sing praises to the Most High. It reflects a heart that rejoices in God and finds delight in expressing that joy through music.
Psalm 30:4
“Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.”
This verse calls the faithful people of the Lord to sing His praises and honor His holy name. It serves as a reminder that musical worship is an act of fidelity and reverence towards God.
Psalm 95:1
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.”
The psalmist invites us to sing for joy to the Lord and proclaim our praise to the Rock of our salvation. This verse encourages exuberant musical worship that celebrates the salvation and deliverance found in God.
Psalm 47:6
“Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.”
This verse compels us to sing praises to God and praises to our King. It signifies the importance of using music to honor and express adoration to God as our eternal King.
Psalm 149:1
“Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.”
This verse instructs the assembly of God’s faithful people to sing a new song to the Lord and offer His praise. It calls for fresh and vibrant musical expressions of worship in the gathered community of believers.
These verses collectively showcase the biblical emphasis on musical worship as a powerful means of expressing gratitude, praise, and devotion to God. They highlight the importance of using music to honor and glorify the Lord, communicate with one another, and create an atmosphere of worship that invites the presence of God. While not specifically addressing secular music, these verses provide a foundation for approaching all forms of music with discernment, ensuring that our choices align with biblical principles and bring glory to God.
As Christians, we are called to worship and praise God in all aspects of our lives, including our music choices. While secular music may have its merits in terms of rhythm, melody, and emotional expression, it is important to weigh its lyrical content against biblical values. Does the song glorify God? Does it align with the principles outlined in Scripture? Does it promote values that are in line with the teachings of Jesus?
Ultimately, the decision to listen to secular music should be made with wisdom and discernment. It is essential to guard our hearts and minds, being mindful of the impact that music can have on our thoughts, emotions, and spiritual well-being. If secular music leads us away from God or encourages behavior that contradicts our Christian beliefs, it may be wise to exercise caution and choose alternative forms of music that inspire and uplift our faith.
However, it is also important to recognize that not all secular music is inherently bad or devoid of spiritual value. There are songs that touch on themes of love, hope, and human experiences that can resonate with us as Christians. In these instances, it is essential to critically engage with the lyrics, sifting through the messages being conveyed, and filtering out any elements that conflict with our faith.
Ultimately, the key lies in developing a discerning heart and mind, guided by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the teachings of Scripture. It is important to seek God’s wisdom and direction when it comes to our musical choices, asking Him to reveal any areas where our listening habits may be hindering our relationship with Him.
In this process, it can be helpful to surround ourselves with Christian music that aligns with our beliefs and fosters a spirit of worship and devotion to God. Contemporary Christian music, gospel, worship songs, and hymns can all serve as powerful tools for deepening our connection with God and reinforcing our faith.
Additionally, engaging in musical worship through singing, playing instruments, or participating in music ministries within our churches can provide a rich and fulfilling outlet for expressing our love for God. By actively participating in worship, we can experience the transformative power of music in our own lives and the lives of those around us.
Ultimately, the goal is to make choices that honor God and draw us closer to Him. We should approach our music choices prayerfully, seeking God’s guidance and surrendering our preferences and desires to Him. As we do so, we can trust that He will lead us in paths of righteousness, providing us with a rich and diverse musical palette that connects us with Him and strengthens our faith.
What Does The Bible Say About Secular Music?
When discussing the topic of secular music, it is important to note that the Bible does not specifically address this matter by name, as it was not a concept during biblical times. However, the principles found in Scripture can guide us in understanding how to approach this aspect of our lives.
Throughout the Bible, we find encouragement to live a life devoted to God, to pursue holiness, and to be mindful of the influence our choices have on our hearts and minds. In light of these principles, we can consider how they might apply to our engagement with secular music.
Firstly, we are reminded in the Bible to guard our hearts and minds. For example, in Proverbs 4:23, it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We are called to be mindful of the things we allow into our hearts and minds, as they shape our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.
When it comes to secular music, it is essential to evaluate the messages and moral values conveyed in the songs we listen to. Some secular music may promote values that contradict biblical principles, such as glorifying violence, immorality, or selfishness. Therefore, it is important to be discerning and question whether a particular song aligns with our Christian values.
Additionally, the Bible reminds us to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). As followers of Christ, we should strive to fill our minds and hearts with content that uplifts, inspires, and encourages righteousness. While some secular music may have positive elements to it, it is important to discern whether the overall message and impact of the music align with these biblical principles.
However, it is also important to recognize that not all secular music is inherently negative or contrary to our faith. There is a wide range of non-religious music that explores various aspects of the human experience, such as love, joy, heartbreak, and social issues. Some secular music can be enjoyed for its artistic value, cultural significance, or simply for entertainment purposes, as long as it does not compromise our Christian values.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-16). This means that while we engage with the world around us, we should not conform to its patterns and values. In the context of secular music, this implies being discerning, intentional, and mindful of the content we consume.
In conclusion, the Bible does not explicitly condemn or endorse secular music as a whole. Rather, it provides us with principles to help us make wise and discerning choices. We must guard our hearts, evaluate the messages and values conveyed in the music we listen to, and focus on content that aligns with our Christian values. Ultimately, our goal should be to bring glory to God in all that we do, including our choice of music.