Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7900 The life of the church  »  7963 song

In Scripture, songs express praise, thanksgiving, joy, victory and love. They also express sadness and derision and can be used to teach and warn. In heaven believers will sing a new song to God.

Different kinds of song

Songs of praise and thanksgiving

2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalm 69:30 See also Nehemiah 12:8,46; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 95:2; Jeremiah 30:18-19; Jonah 2:9; James 5:13

Songs of joy and celebration

Psalm 98:4 See also 2 Samuel 6:5 pp 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:16; Psalm 100:2; Psalm 107:22; Psalm 126:2,6; Isaiah 52:9; Isaiah 55:12

Songs of victory and deliverance

Exodus 15:1-18 The song celebrating God's spectacular victory over Pharaoh and his army (compare with Rev 15:3). See also Judges 5:1-3; 1 Samuel 18:6-7; 2 Samuel 22:1-4; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 32:7; Psalm 42:8; Psalm 118:15; Isaiah 26:1; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:13

Psalms and hymns

Colossians 3:16 “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” are not clearly distinguished from each other in Scripture. See also 1 Chronicles 16:7; Psalm 40:3; Psalm 47:7; Matthew 26:30 pp Mark 14:26; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:19

Songs of ascent

Psalm 122:1 Title Psalms 120-134, the so-called “Songs of Ascent”, are thought to have been sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.

Songs of love

Psalm 45:1 Title The title to this psalm describes it as “a wedding song”; Songs 1:1; Isaiah 5:1; Ezekiel 33:32

Laments

2 Samuel 1:17-19 See also 2 Samuel 3:33-34; 2 Chronicles 35:25; Psalm 102:1-2; Jeremiah 7:29; Jeremiah 9:10,20; Lamentations 2:5 The book of Lamentations is a series of laments after the fall of Jerusalem; Ezekiel 19:1,14; Ezekiel 26:17-18; Ezekiel 27:2,32; Ezekiel 28:12; Ezekiel 32:16; Amos 5:1

Songs of derision

Job 30:9; Psalm 69:12; Lamentations 3:14,63; Micah 2:4

God is described as the song of believers

Psalm 118:14 See also Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 12:2

Songs can teach and warn

Deuteronomy 32:44-46 See also Deuteronomy 31:19,22,30; Psalm 119:54; Ephesians 5:19

A new song

Singing a new song to God expresses a renewed desire to praise him

Psalm 40:1-3 See also Psalm 33:3; Psalm 98:1; Psalm 144:9; Psalm 149:1; Isaiah 42:10

In heaven God's people will sing a new song

Revelation 5:9-10 See also Revelation 14:3

See also

5420  music
5421  musical instruments
5422  musicians
5442  pilgrimage
7927  hymn
7960  singing
8283  joy
8609  prayer as praise & thanksgiving
8627  worship, elements
8642  celebration
8666  praise, manner & methods
8676  thanksgiving