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Singing

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

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Concordances
Nave Topical Bible
• Singing
Thompson Chain Reference
• Singing
Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
• Singing
Dictionaries
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
• Singing
Charles Buck Dictionary
• Singing
Holman Bible Dictionary
• Singing, Singers
Hastings' NT Dictionary
• Singing (2)
• Singing
King James Dictionary
• Singing
• Singed
• Sing
Morrish Bible Dictionary
• Singing
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Singing, Congregational
• Sing, O Ye Faithful, Sing Two Athlete Brothers
• Sing, O Sons of the Church Sounding the Martyr's P
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Vines' Expository Dictionary
• Sing, Singing
• Sing
Webster Dictionary
• Singing
• Singeing
• Singed
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Encyclopedias
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• Singers; Singing
McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
• Schools, Singing
• Singing
• Singing Cakes
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The Catholic Encyclopedia
• Congregational Singing
Lexicons
• ܙܡܰܪ
• ܙܰܡܳܪܳܐ
• ᾄδω
• ὑμνέω
• ψάλλω
• דָּבַר דָּבַר, , דָּבַר
• הָלַל הָלַל, הָלַל, , הַלְלויָּהּ
• זָמִיר
•   (only first 3 shown)

From ancient times to the present, singing has been used as a form of relaxation or amusement (2 Samuel 19:35; Amos 6:4-5), an expression of joy (Proverbs 29:6; Isaiah 16:10; James 5:13), a form of celebration (Judges 5:1-2; 1 Samuel 21:11), and a means of praising God (Exodus 15:1; Psalms 30:4; Psalms 66:4; Psalms 95:1-3; Acts 16:25; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 15:3). Singing has often been associated with music and dancing (Genesis 31:27; Exodus 15:20-21; Isaiah 5:12; see DANCING; MUSIC).

In the temple worship that David organized, there were groups of singers who sang under a conductor to the accompaniment of music (1 Chronicles 15:16; 1 Chronicles 15:22). This arrangement was followed by some of Israel’s later leaders (2 Chronicles 29:30; Ezra 3:10-11). The psalms that these singers sang were sometimes divided into parts that individuals or sections of the choir sang in turn (Ezra 3:11; Psalms 118; see PSALMS, BOOK OF).

Singing is an important part of the life of the church (1 Corinthians 14:26; cf. Mark 14:26). It should be an expression of praise to God that arises from a heart filled with joy and thanks. However, the songs must be based firmly on the Word of God, and people must sing them with understanding, not just with a feeling of enjoyment. Only in this way will God be truly praised and the singers be truly built up in their Christian faith (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).

In the early church, songs were an important means of summarizing Christian truth in a form that could be easily remembered and repeated. The New Testament contains what appear to be selections from early Christian songs (Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-20; 1 Timothy 3:16; cf. also Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 2:14; Luke 2:29-32; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 11:17-18; Revelation 15:3-4.)