In the biblical context, a singer is an individual who is dedicated to the vocal expression of worship, praise, and the proclamation of God's word through music. Singing holds a significant place in the worship practices of ancient Israel and the early Christian church, serving as a means to glorify God, teach doctrine, and encourage the faithful.

Old Testament

The role of singers is prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of temple worship. King David, known for his musical talents, organized the Levitical singers as part of the temple service. In 1 Chronicles 15:16, David instructs the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to "raise sounds of joy" with musical instruments. The Levites, specifically the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, were set apart for this sacred duty (1 Chronicles 25:1-7).

The Book of Psalms, often referred to as the hymnbook of ancient Israel, contains numerous references to singing. Psalm 95:1 invites the congregation, "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation!" Singing was an integral part of Israel's worship, expressing both individual and communal devotion.

New Testament

In the New Testament, singing continues to be an essential element of Christian worship. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to engage in singing as a form of spiritual edification. In Ephesians 5:19 , he writes, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord." Similarly, Colossians 3:16 exhorts the faithful to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

The early church incorporated singing into their gatherings, reflecting the Jewish tradition of psalmody and the new expressions of faith in Christ. Singing served as a means of teaching, reinforcing doctrine, and fostering unity among believers.

Theological Significance

Singing in the Bible is not merely an artistic expression but a profound act of worship and obedience. It is a response to God's revelation and a declaration of His mighty works. The act of singing is both a personal and communal offering, reflecting the heart's posture towards God. In Revelation 5:9 , the heavenly hosts sing a new song, proclaiming the worthiness of the Lamb who was slain, illustrating the eternal nature of worship through song.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, singers were often part of the Levitical order, trained and appointed for their roles in temple worship. Music and singing were integral to various religious festivals and ceremonies, enhancing the communal experience of worship. The tradition of singing continued into the early Christian church, where hymns and spiritual songs became a vital part of liturgical practice.

Conclusion

The role of the singer in the Bible underscores the importance of music in worship and the expression of faith. Through singing, believers are invited to participate in the divine narrative, offering praise and adoration to God, and encouraging one another in the faith.1. (n.) One who, or that which, singes.

2. (n.) One employed to singe cloth.

3. (n.) A machine for singeing cloth.

4. (n.) One who sings; especially, one whose profession is to sing.

2790. kitharodos -- one who plays and sings to the lyre
... Word Origin from kithara and aoidos (a singer) Definition one who plays
and sings to the lyre NASB Word Usage harpists (2). harper. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2790.htm - 6k

4993. sophroneo -- to be of sound mind, ie to be temperate
... An opera singer controls the length (quality) of their tones by their ,
which even controls our ability to breathe and heartbeat. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4993.htm - 7k

4998. sophron -- of sound mind, self-controlled
... An opera singer controls the length (quality) of their tones by their
which even controls the ability to breathe and heartbeat. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4998.htm - 8k

3451. mousikos -- skilled in the arts (esp. music)
... mousikos Phonetic Spelling: (moo-sik-os') Short Definition: skilled in music, a
musician Definition: skilled in music; subst: a musician, singer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3451.htm - 6k

2171. zammar -- singer
... 2170, 2171. zammar. 2172 . singer. Transliteration: zammar Phonetic Spelling:
(zam-mawr') Short Definition: singers. Word ... singer. (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/2171.htm - 6k

5329. natsach -- preeminent or enduring
... supervise (2), supervised (1), supervisors (1). excel, chief musician singer,
overseer, set forward. A primitive root; properly, to ...
/hebrew/5329.htm - 6k

7892. shiyr -- song
... 7891, 7892. shiyr. 7892a . song. Transliteration: shiyr Phonetic Spelling:
(sheer) Short Definition: musical. musicalick, singer song ...
/hebrew/7892.htm - 5k

301. Achishar -- "my brother has sung," one of Solomon's officials
... Ahishar. From 'ach and shiyr; brother of (the) singer; Achishar, an Israelite --
Ahishar. see HEBREW 'ach. see HEBREW shiyr. 300, 301. Achishar. 302 . ...
/hebrew/301.htm - 6k

7891. shir -- to sing
... Word Origin denominative verb from shir Definition to sing NASB Word Usage sang
(6), sing (32), singer (1), singers (34), singing (3), sings (1), song leaders ...
/hebrew/7891.htm - 6k

The Singer of Pietism
... Hans Adolph Brorson, the Christmas Singer of Denmark Chapter Nine The Singer
of Pietism. ... He was above all the sweet singer of Pietism. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter nine the singer of.htm

Another Crusader and Minne-Singer of those Days, Sir Reinmar of ...
... Another crusader and Minne-singer of those days, Sir Reinmar of Hagenau, gives us
a glimpse of the struggle that must have gone on in many minds between the ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/another crusader and minne-singer of.htm

David's Hymn of victory
... The text begins with the closing words of a description of God's arming the singer
for his victories, and goes on to paint the tumult of battle and the rout of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/davids hymn of victory.htm

God and his Saints
... The word that this singer uses is one that only appears in this place, and if we
regard its etymology, there lies in it a very tender and beautiful expression ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/god and his saints.htm

Hymns and Hymnwriters of Denmark
... Chapter Seven Kingo's Later Years. Hans Adolph Brorson, the Christmas Singer of
Denmark. ... Chapter Nine The Singer of Pietism. Chapter Ten Brorson's SWAN-SONG. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/

The Day was Near Its End. ...
... The flood of inspiration had passed. The singer turned away. ... The voice of
the old singer had not broken the spell of bitter passion. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 25 the day was.htm

Chapter seven
... What possible career was before her except the regular career of every singer? ...
I judge no one else; I condemn no other professional singer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter seven.htm

The Magnificat
... in the earlier part the personal element is present, and that in the later it fades
entirely, and the mighty deeds of God alone fill the meek singer's eye and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the magnificat.htm

God's Guests
... year. But this singer expects that his abode will be there always; and that,
in the time of trouble, he can find refuge there. Apart ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/gods guests.htm

The Ideal Devout Life
... The singer has been describing a great delivering manifestation of the Most High
God, which, though he knew it was for the deliverance of God's people, shed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the ideal devout life.htm

Singer (5 Occurrences)
...Singer (5 Occurrences). ... Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son
of Joel, the son of Samuel, (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/s/singer.htm - 8k

Musician (112 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) One skilled in the art or science of music; esp.,
a skilled singer, or performer on a musical instrument. Int. ...
/m/musician.htm - 39k

Chorus (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Parts of a song or hymn recurring at intervals, as at the end of stanzas;
also, a company of singers who join with the singer or choir in singer or ...
/c/chorus.htm - 8k

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:33 These are those who waited, and their sons. Of the sons of the
Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, (See RSV). ...
/k/ko'hathites.htm - 11k

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)
... Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of
Samuel, (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/k/kohathite.htm - 12k

Obed-edom (16 Occurrences)
... In 1 Chronicles 15:16-21 Obed-edom is a "singer," and in 1 Chronicles 15:24 a
"doorkeeper," while according to 1 Chronicles 26:4-8, 15 he is a Korahite ...
/o/obed-edom.htm - 15k

Obededom (15 Occurrences)
... In 1 Chronicles 15:16-21 Obed-edom is a "singer," and in 1 Chronicles 15:24 a
"doorkeeper," while according to 1 Chronicles 26:4-8, 15 he is a Korahite ...
/o/obededom.htm - 14k

Jo'el (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:33 These are those who waited, and their sons. Of the sons of the
Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, (See RSV). ...
/j/jo'el.htm - 10k

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)
... Some of the records on the tomb are as follows: "The son whom Menephtah loves; who
draws towards him his father's heart, the singer, the prince of archers, who ...
/f/firstborn.htm - 46k

First-born (110 Occurrences)
... Some of the records on the tomb are as follows: "The son whom Menephtah loves; who
draws towards him his father's heart, the singer, the prince of archers, who ...
/f/first-born.htm - 41k

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