Sacred Harmony: Ellen White’s Guidelines for Worship Music

Sacred music is an essential act of worship that should be conducted with solemnity, melody, and a heart in harmony with GodMRQI 6.3+1. To ensure that music fulfills its holy purpose, several specific guidelines should be followed during the worship hour.

The Nature and Quality of Worship Music

• Melody and Harmony: Music in the house of God should be characterized by sweet, softened, and melodious strains rather than loud, harsh noise3SM 333.3+1.

• Solemnity and Cheerfulness: Hymns should be selected that feature cheerful yet solemn melodies, avoiding notes that sound like a funeral servicePaM 178.2.

• Avoidance of Display: There is no place for theatrical performances or musical displays that aim to make a show, as these do not benefit the soulCSW 153.2+1.

• Simplicity: Often, the simple singing of hymns by the entire congregation possesses a charm and power that even the most skilled choir cannot duplicate17LtMs, Lt 49, 1902, par. 25.

Congregational Participation

• Inclusive Singing: Singing should not be limited to a few performers; instead, the entire congregation should be encouraged to join in as often as possibleMRQI 10.5+1.

• Spirit and Understanding: Those who lead or participate in song must do so with the spirit and the understanding, ensuring their hearts are in harmony with the sacred words they utter 1 Corinthians 14:15GW 357.1+1.

• Voice Culture: Proper training of the voice is an important part of education, as the human voice can exceed any musical instrument in its pathos and beauty when the love of God abounds in the soulMRQI 6.3+1.

Proper Conduct and Attitude

• Dignified Bearing: Singers must avoid undignified attitudes, strange gesticulations, or bodily contortions that distract from the sacredness of the service3SM 333.3+1.

• Focus on God: Music should always serve to lift the thoughts to that which is pure and noble, exalting the Creator rather than extolling human talentVSS 447.4+1.

• Use of Instruments: Musical instruments are not to be opposed; when skillfully handled, they should accompany the song service to aid in the praise of GodGW 357.1.

The Danger of Worldly Influence

• Worldly Singers: Messengers of the Lord are not to depend on worldly singers who have no interest in the Word of God to awaken interest in religious meetingsPaM 136.1+2.

• Frivolous Music: Flippant songs or frivolous music that distracts the mind from God should be strictly avoided in favor of sacred psalms of praiseVSS 421.3+1.

• True Conversion: The effectiveness of sacred song is tied to the spiritual state of the heart; only a heart in tune with Christ can produce true spiritual melody12LtMs, Lt 77, 1897, par. 16.

The Power of Song

• Fixing Truth in the Mind: Singing is one of the most effective ways to fix the words of God in the memory and to press spiritual truth upon the heartLDE 86.3+1.

• Subduing the Nature: Sacred song has the power to subdue rude natures, quicken thought, banish gloom, and promote harmony of actionLDE 86.3+1.

• Spiritual Unity: When believers teach and admonish one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, they allow the peace of God to rule in their hearts Colossians 3:15-16SL 87.2+1.

By following these principles, the worship service becomes a place where the earthly choir joins in harmony with the heavenly host to give glory to the Lamb Revelation 5:13CCh 186.2+1.

Drums should not be used in sacred worship because they are often associated with an "uncouth" style of music that creates a bedlam of noise and confuses the sensesLDE 159.1+1. While music is a blessing when conducted aright, the use of drums in religious services is identified as an invention of Satan to make the pure and elevating truth of none effectPaM 178.3+1.

The Danger of Confusion

• Sensory Confusion: The use of drums, combined with shouting and dancing, results in a bedlam of noise that so confuses the senses of rational beings that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions2SM 36.2+1.

• False Impressions: Such excitement is often mistakenly called the moving of the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit of God never reveals itself in such methodsPaM 178.3+1.

• Satanic Influence: The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise of drums to create a carnival-like atmosphere rather than a solemn service of worshipMRQI 14.2+1.

Proper Use of Music

• Skilful Handling: Music in the praise of God should be carefully conducted and is acceptable only when the heart is sanctified and made soft by divine graceVSS 439.3+1.

• Solemnity Over Noise: Worship should be free from everything strange, eccentric, or uncouth, as these elements destroy the serious, solemn impression that sacred music should produce3SM 333.1+1.

• Acceptable Instruments: In contrast to the confusion caused by drums, instruments such as the harp, cymbal, lute, and guitar were used in ancient times and are appropriate for adding interest and beauty to our services today Psalms 33:2VSS 439.2+2.

• Congregational Harmony: The goal of music in the church is melody and harmony, where the entire congregation joins in soft, sweet, and melodious strains to glorify God3SM 333.1+2.

Spiritual Discernment

• Rejecting Worldly Methods: Believers are cautioned not to follow the ways of the world or rely on theatrical displays and noise to awaken interest in religious meetingsPaM 136.1+2.

• Melody in the Heart: True worship involves making melody in the heart to the Lord, which is more offensive to God when replaced by a mere display of instrumental noise without consecration Ephesians 5:19Ev 511.3+1.

• The Standard of Truth: The truth for this time needs no "bedlam of noise" to convert souls; instead, we are to speak with power and assurance of the Savior's love while singing genuine revival hymnsCCh 318.2+2.

It is better to never have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to create the kind of noise and confusion associated with the drum in a worship settingPaM 178.3+2.