Concise Bible Dictionary:
In the Old Testament we find there were courses of singers, and there were some who were “taught to sing praise.” Instruments were also appointed for the singers (1 Kings 10:12). In Habakkuk 3:19, at the end of the prophet’s poetical “prayer,” it says, “To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” “The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels” (Psa. 68:25).
Such organized choirs have no place in the New Testament They that worship God “must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” This also applies to the singing: “I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Cor. 14:15; compare 1 Cor. 14:26). “Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody [or chanting] in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). “In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). There will be singing in heaven (Rev. 5:9). Singing and PRAISE naturally go together. At the institution of the Lord’s supper they “sang a hymn,” margin “psalm,” ὐμνέω (Matt. 26:30). The same word is translated “sang praises” unto God, when Paul and Silas were in prison (Acts 16:25); and the Lord sings praise in the midst of the assembly (Psa. 22:22; Heb. 2:12).
“259. Responsive Singing” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
1 Samuel 18:7. The women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
One part of the women probably sang, “Saul hath slain his thousands,” and the others responded, “and David his ten thousands.” This responsive chorus-singing is very ancient. Over four hundred years before this Miriam had led the women in the responsive chorus of victory on the occasion of the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, the men and women alternating in their song. Ex. 15:21. It is supposed to have been an Egyptian custom. See also Ezra 3:11; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8-11; 5:9-14.
“495. Singing at Work” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Isaiah 16:10. Gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting; the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
It was a common custom among the Egyptians to sing at their work. The Hebrews did the same, and were especially jubilant at the time of grape gathering. They plucked off the grapes with acclamations of joy, and carried them to the wine-press. There they alleviated the labor of treading the grapes by singing, accompanied with musical instruments and joyous shouts. Some authorities interpret hedad, shouting,” as an exclamation used by the grape treaders as they jumped up and down. Allusions are made to the joyful character of the work of vintage in Judges 9:27; Jeremiah 25:30; 48:33.
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