There are many places in Scripture that give us insight into the power of song in God's system. I want to focus on some of them here.
First is the power of song to give victory over oppression and fruitlessness. In Isaiah 54:1 we find the story of a barren woman being challenged to sing in the face of her barrenness. In the culture of ancient Israel a barren woman was considered worthless. In this situation of hopelessness, she is commanded to sing. When she begins singing, immediately she is encouraged to make ready for the coming baby. This problem of barrenness brings about God's promise and the promise is brought about through song. This call to new life is brought via a song. I'm immediately drawn to the principle of . . . new life, new song. . . as seen in God's Word also. Singing is not just something we do, it is one of the ways that God demonstrates and shows forth His power.
Second is how song relates to the creative power of God. We can look to Job 38 where a dialogue is taking place between the Lord and Job. We are apprised of the fact in this passage that singing was actually a part of God's creation of the world. This principle of song relating to the creative power of God carries into our own experience of singing as we are made in His image.
One of my favorite places in scripture that helps me see the power of God involved in song is 2 Chronicles 20, where God chooses the choir to lead the army into battle. We see in this passage that God wants song to be seen and experienced as victory in battle. Song brings victory in battle. Many of us as believers have experienced this many times over and know that God also works His power in this way.
Finally, not only does song bring victory in battle, creative power and victory over barrenness, it also brings release from bondage. When we see the story in Acts 16 of Paul and Silas delivered from imprisonment in Philippi, we see before our very eyes a demonstration of the principle of song bringing miraculous release from bondage. We need to take to heart the power of song in our worship experience -- in our personal private worship, as well as in the worship of the gathered body! mjm
