What is the purpose of a war song?

Now, you all know that I love to declare, "Worship is my warfare!".

So in last night's online Bible study Zoom class, we unpacked the purpose and power behind a war song.

A war song is also known as a battle hymn or a warrior's cry. It is a call to arms.

Battle hymns have been used since Biblical times and through our recent era. I asked my husband, who is a history buff, about his thoughts regarding the intention behind war-time songs and military bands and we came up with the following 3 main purposes:

1. War songs raise morale and bolster the spirits of soldiers going into battle. The song reminds them of their purpose and reason for fighting.

2. War songs inspire, comfort, bring confidence, and unify the entire army. 

3. War songs are tactical & strategic. When everyone is marching to the same cadence (rhythmic flow of sounds), the army can advance quickly, effectively, and predictably. 

As it is in the natural, so shall it be in the spirit! 

King David had 288 worshipers in his army and knew that as he worshiped, God fought on the behalf of Israel.

Psalm 68 is one of David's many war songs.

Psalm 68 is a battle hymn that David writes to exhort the people of God to praise God, remember Who God is, and trust in His delivering power!

"Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; 

Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. 

As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; 

As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God."

Psalm 68:1-2

As we dissected and went deep on this psalm last night, we felt our spiritual morale rise up.

By David's Holy Spirit inspired words, we were reminded that everything that makes war with God or God's people must bow, flee, melt or otherwise perish in God's presence. 

David is clearly encouraging us to be confidently dependent on God to victoriously fight our battles, as we invoke His presence with our worship!

🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼

THIS WAS JUST THE BEGINNING of our conversation last night - God's Word is just too powerful!

*If you missed our online Bible study Zoom on Monday night, keep reading for how to get caught up!*

Did you miss Monday night's online Bible study?

• Register here to gain access to our online Bible study Zoom link, weekly PDF downloads, and reminder emails.
• Join me on Wednesday for the LUNCHTIME LIVE online Bible study recap at 12pm ET on Facebook or Instagram!

Do you have a login to our online learning portal?

All PDFs are now loaded to Soul of Worship Ministry's THE WORKSHOP! The Workshop is our online learning portal that holds all available resources for all online Bible study series we've ever done. Once you create a login, you are free to use any of the online Bible study materials for your own personal study or to use for leading others in small group Bible studies.

Also, by Thursday of every week, the Lunchtime LIVE recap video is also loaded into The Workshop! The goal is to have all online Bible study resources readily available in one place.

Want to learn more about the power of worship & praise?

The Worship: Are You Making a Sound? Book is an incredible Bible study resource to go really deep into the Word of God to understand the power we have in our sound as children of God. Grab a copy of the book here or enroll in our self-guided, video e-course, available now!

Keep on praising,

Sara-Marie & the Soul of Worship Ministry Team