Music, a powerful and emotive form of expression, holds a significant place in biblical literature and history. However, when music is unsanctified—devoid of spiritual purpose or alignment with God's will—it is often portrayed as vanity, a pursuit lacking eternal value and substance.

Ecclesiastes and the Pursuit of Pleasure

The Book of Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to Solomon, provides a profound exploration of life's vanities, including the pursuit of pleasure through music. Ecclesiastes 2:8 states, "I amassed for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the hearts of men." Here, music is listed among the pleasures Solomon pursued, yet the overarching theme of Ecclesiastes is the futility of such pursuits when they are disconnected from the fear of God. Ecclesiastes 1:2 famously declares, "Futility of futilities, says the Teacher, futility of futilities! Everything is futile!"

The Prophets and Idolatrous Music

The prophets often condemned the use of music in idolatrous worship and self-indulgence. Amos 6:5 criticizes those who "improvise to the sound of the harp and invent for themselves instruments of music like David," yet do so in a context of complacency and disregard for the plight of the poor. This misuse of music is portrayed as a symptom of a deeper spiritual malaise, where the heart is far from God.

Isaiah and the Call to Righteousness

Isaiah also addresses the vanity of unsanctified music. In Isaiah 5:12 , the prophet laments, "They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes, and wine, but they disregard the deeds of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands." Here, music is part of a lifestyle that neglects divine justice and righteousness, highlighting its emptiness when detached from a life honoring God.

New Testament Warnings

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns against the misuse of music and other forms of expression that do not edify the believer or glorify God. Ephesians 5:19 encourages believers to speak "to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord." This directive underscores the importance of sanctified music, contrasting it with the vanity of music that serves only human desires.

The Heart's Orientation

Ultimately, the Bible emphasizes that the value of music is determined by the heart's orientation. Music that is unsanctified, serving only to entertain or indulge the flesh, is deemed vanity. In contrast, music that is consecrated to God, used to worship and glorify Him, holds eternal significance. As 1 Corinthians 10:31 instructs, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." This principle applies to music, urging believers to ensure that their musical expressions are sanctified and aligned with divine purposes.Ecclesiastes 2:8,11
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

the Nature of this Oversight
... as if it were a thing of no more moment than a lesson of music, or arithmetic, and ...
I know that laziness hath learned to allege the vanity of all our studies ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature.htm

Approaching Doom
... Like sweetest music these promises of deliverance fell upon ... from the mouth of Jeremiah
all the words of ... to false teachers who flatter their vanity and overlook ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

The Water of Life;
... gathered together to see it (Revelation 4). When this throne was set in heaven,
there was silence, all the heavenly ... it was as the music of the trumpet.[13]. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... On other days, a man may be in and out of holy duties, and all in a ... 5). The first
he calleth a blessed man, but brandeth the other for an unsanctified worldling ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

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