The Front Page
Vocal Music In Worship To God

Let us define music, sing, and vocal. (1) Music -- “...the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationship to produce a composition having unity and continuity b: vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony 2: an agreeable sound....” (2) Sing -- “vi (verb intransitive, gm)...to produce musical tones by means of the voice b: to utter words in musical tones and with musical inflections and modulations c: to deliver songs as a trained or professional singer 2: to make a shrill whining or whistling sound 3 a : to relate or celebrate something in verse b. to compose poetry 4 : to produce musical or harmonious sounds 5: buzz, ring 6 : to make a cry: call.....vt (verb transitive, gm) to utter with musical inflections: esp: to interpret in musical tones produced by the voice; to relate or celebrate in verse 3: chant, intone....” (3) Vocal -- “...uttered by the voice: ORAL b: produced in the larynx: uttered with voice 2: relating to, composed or arranged for, or sung by the human voice” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary).

In discussing music in worship, it has been reasoned that God has not authorized mechanical instruments, but has authorized singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Music produced by mechanical instruments is a specific kind of music and singing is a specific kind of music. God specified singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). These passages and the silence of the New Testament forbid use of mechanical instruments.

A word of caution: The above reasoning is good, scriptural, and acceptable to God. But, consider this: At times when discussing music in worship, we affirm that God has authorized “vocal music” in worship. Do we understand the limit (or, extent) of what we are affirming? Indeed God has authorized vocal music in worship, BUT HAS HE AUTHORIZED ALL VOCAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP? I do not have in mind the kind of songs we sing: Spiritual as opposed to secular. God has specified that psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs be used (Eph. 5:19). But, are not whistling, humming, and yodeling forms of vocal music? Webster defines them as such. And even if one did not considered them vocal music the same as singing, in our society, they are used either as a substitute or addition to singing. What is my point? When we use the terms “vocal music,” we are using generic terms. Note carefully that the “vocal music” authorized in worship uses “WORDS,” not just sounds as in humming, whistling, and yodeling. “Singing that teaches and admonishes” is a specific kind of vocal music: It involves speaking words.

In the last twenty or thirty years, some among churches of Christ have come up with the idea of humming in worship. Humming is vocal. If that is scriptural, then what would be wrong with yodeling or whistling? Neither of the three have a “spoken word message” in them, but the vocal music (singing) approved by God does have a “spoken word message” in it.