What Does the Bible Say About Music? 11 Powerful Verses

Ephesians 5:19

ESVaddressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
KJVSpeaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
NASBspeaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
NIVspeaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
NLTsinging psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16

ESVLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
KJVLet 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.
NASBLet the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
NIVLet 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.
NLTLet the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

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Psalm 105:2

ESVSing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
KJVSing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
NASBSing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.
NIVSing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
NLTSing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.

Psalm 95:1

ESVOh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
KJVO come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
NASBO come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
NIVCome, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
NLTCome, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

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Psalm 104:33

ESVI will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
KJVI will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
NASBI will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
NIVI will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
NLTI will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!

James 5:13

ESVIs anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
KJVIs any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
NASBIs anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
NIVIs anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
NLTAre any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

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Hebrews 2:12

ESVsaying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
KJVSaying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
NASBsaying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.”
NIVHe says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
NLTFor he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”

Psalm 71:23

ESVMy lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
KJVMy lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
NASBMy lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; And my soul, which You have redeemed.
NIVMy lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered.
NLTI will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me.

Acts 16:25

ESVAbout midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
KJVAnd at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
NASBBut about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
NIVAbout midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
NLTAround midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

Philippians 4:8

ESVFinally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
KJVFinally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
NASBFinally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
NIVFinally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
NLTAnd now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

1 Corinthians 14:15

ESVWhat am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
KJVWhat is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
NASBWhat is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
NIVSo what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
NLTWell then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.

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Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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