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NASB | Psalm 149:3 Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 149:3 Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre. |
Bible Question:
Dear Forum members, What do you think of praise dancing? Have you ever seen it done? I have seen churches of all denominations and colors doing this? Some churches see this as shaking your bottom in public and think all dancing is the work of the devil. I personally like it and it has been done in my church by the youth from time to time although I strongly objected to the choice of music and wonder despite the lyrics how such music could be said to even be praise music based on the music, if you could call it that. We know David danced right out of his clothes in a praise mode and his wife couldn't stand it and felt it was unholy. What do you all think? God's Day To You, Tamara |
Bible Answer: Dear Tamara, The regulative principle appears to rightfully express the sense of the full expression of Scriptures on the subject of worship. John Calvin stated it this way: "Moreover, the rule which distinguishes between pure and vitiated worship is of universal application, in order that we may not adopt any device which seems fit to ourselves, but look to the injunctions of Him who alone is entitled to prescribe. Therefore, if we would have Him to approve our worship, this rule, which He everywhere enforces with the utmost strictness, must be carefully observed. For there is a twofold reason why the Lord, in condemning and prohibiting all fictitious worship, requires us to give obedience only to His own voice. First, it tends greatly to establish His authority that we do not follow our own pleasure, but depend entirely on His sovereignty; and, secondly, such is our folly, that when we are left at liberty, all we are able to do is to go astray. And then when once we have turned aside from the right path, there is no end to our wanderings, until we get buried under a multitude of superstitions. Justly, therefore, does the Lord, in order to assert His full right of dominion, strictly enjoin what He wishes us to do, and at once reject all human devices which are at variance with His command. Justly, too, does He, in express terms, define our limits, that we may not, by fabricating perverse modes of worship, provoke His anger against us." I've yet to see any examples in North America of so-called "praise dancing" that reflected a reverential fear of God, and an effort to honor Him in the spirit in which He commands. Instead, it is always something man centered, with exceedingly fleshly aspects. Take the flesh out of it, and there might be some measure of hope of the Holy Spirit's involvement (Galatians 5:17). In Him, Doc |