Is Music the Power of God?—part 3

Is Music the Power of God?—part 3

            On the authority of the Bible lesson found in Ephesians 5”19 and in Colossians 3:16, music is a communicator of grace first by teaching (didasko 1321) and secondly admonishing (noutheteo 3560) by the worshiping body of believers.  Singing should teach worshipers the Word and about the Word.  Singing should also admonish believers and sinners as it expounds the Word to the congregation.  These two aspects of church music serve a very important function in public worship.

            If psalms, songs of laudation to God, and non-carnal songs are going to communicate grace to the worshiper they must be sung and played “with grace” or “in grace” by the worshipers and they must be sung to the Lord.  Note that this Scripture teaches that these songs should teach and admonish the people.  Likewise, the Ephesians 5:19 statement:

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord.  

connects speaking (singing) to ourselves with making melody in our hearts to the Lord.  Therefore, the notion that music in worship should not communicate a message to the congregation but rather only address God is not a biblical view.  The fact that worshipers are admonished to sing unto the Lord does not negate the importance of music communicating grace to the people.