Music in Worship

What role does music play in worship, both in church and in our private lives? Quite a big one, actually.

Mr. Fred Coleman articulates the role of music in worship far better than I can. Having served as a music pastor at University Baptist Church for many years, and currently serving as music pastor at Hampton Park Baptist Church and as the head of the Church Music Department at Bob Jones University, Mr. Coleman is well versed in this subject. I had the privilege of being under his direction in his children's choir during my family's time at University Baptist Church and also enjoyed being under his direction once again as a congregational singer when I attended Hampton Park Baptist Church during my college years. He and his wife, Ruth, have produced several sacred music CDs, songs/melodies, and hymnals.

So, without further ado, below is the audio for a message he preached at Bob Jones University on the subject of music in worship. The practical and direct style of  the message makes it easily applicable.

 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. 

{Judges 5:3}

 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 

{I Chronicles 16:9}

Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. 

{Psalm 33:2-3}

 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. 

{Psalm 89:1}

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

 {Psalm 95:1}

 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. 

{Psalm 96:1}

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 

{Psalm 98:4}

...be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 

{Ephesians 5:19-20}

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

{Colossians 3:16}