Do angels sing in scripture?

[Whitacre_Girl]

I am talking a protestant friend of mine (no, not the same one in my other posts, this one is sane…) and she was talking about things that we believe traditionally that aren’t in scripture.

So, I am looking for scriptural evidence that angels sing. I have found revelation 5:11-12 which some translations translate either “sing” or “say.” So far this is the strongest case I have found as direct evidence that angels praise God with song as we do…however I looked up the word in Stong’s concordance. The word used in the passage is “lego” (strong’s number 3004) and means to say or declare. Why is it sometimes translated as sing? Could it mean also to sing given the context? Near as I can tell, the statement they are saying (or singing!) seems to be indicative of song lyrics:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

Now, I personally believe that angels do sing, especially since we say every week in mass “We join with the choirs of angels and all the saints singing…” but How do I prove this is true to a sola scriptura protestant? I know it’s gotta be in there. Thanks!

 

[Cachonga]

There’s also Luke 2:8-14, but this also uses the word “saying”. I agree with you that the implication is that they are singing. I would point out that the words recorded in Luke have been turned into songs and used by men to praise God (“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” Luke 2:14 KJV). If the angels don’t sing praises to God, then why do men?

Hope this helps!

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

There’s also Luke 2:8-14, but this also uses the word “saying”. I agree with you that the implication is that they are singing. I would point out that the words recorded in Luke have been turned into songs and used by men to praise God (“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” Luke 2:14 KJV). If the angels don’t sing praises to God, then why do men?

Hope this helps!

I will look this passage up in the concordance. Maybe they use a different word which could also be translated as singing. Unfortunatly for this individual, she doesn’t extrapolate intent from scripture. If it isn’t in the bible word for word, she doesn’t believe it.

 

[prodigalson12]

Question: “Do angels sing?”

Answer: Job 38:7 tells us that during the creation of the world, “the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy.” Revelation 5:11-13 declares, “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels . . . They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” Luke 2:13-14 informs us, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’”

The above Scriptures appear at first glance to give clear evidence to the idea that angels sing. However, in each instance, the words that are translated “sing” or “sang” could also be referring to speaking. At the same time, the fact that the angels are worshipping and praising God seems to argue for singing as the meaning, not just speaking. God has created humanity with an innate connection to music and singing, especially in regard to worship (Ephesians 5:19). It would seem logical that God would have created the angels with that same “propensity” for singing. Whatever the case, whether singing or speaking, we know the angels are all about worshipping and praising God. May we follow their example!

gotquestions.org/angels-sing.html

 

[Cachonga]

Whitacre_Girl:

I will look this passage up in the concordance. Maybe they use a different word which could also be translated as singing. Unfortunatly for this individual, she doesn’t extrapolate intent from scripture. If it isn’t in the bible word for word, she doesn’t believe it.

Does she believe in the Trinity? Ask her where that word is found in Scripture. Does she believe in Sola Scriptura? If so, ask her to show you where this is found in the Scriptures. Hopefully, this should nudge her a bit so that she will realize that the concept can be present without the specific words being used.

(BTW - I do believe in the Trinity and Sola Scriptura, and can back up these beliefs with Scriptures. I used these examples with the hope that your friend would find them convincing enough to consider that angels do sing, and this can be shown in the Scriptures.)

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

Does she believe in the Trinity? Ask her where that word is found in Scripture. Does she believe in Sola Scriptura? If so, ask her to show you where this is found in the Scriptures. Hopefully, this should nudge her a bit so that she will realize that the concept can be present without the specific words being used.

(BTW - I do believe in the Trinity and Sola Scriptura, and can back up these beliefs with Scriptures. I used these examples with the hope that your friend would find them convincing enough to consider that angels do sing, and this can be shown in the Scriptures.)

Funny enough I did bring up the trinity and was ignored. shrugs

I actually had a good discussion with her using lots of scriptural evedince that I learned as a protestant, but because I am stamped with “Roman Catholic” everything I say is discredited to them. It’s absolutely frustrating, especially since the tactics I use I learned while enrolled in a ministry program at a protestant bible school. sigh

 

[bpbasilphx]

Bascially in ancient languages, “sing” and “say”, especially when what is uttered is clearly poetic, are used interchangeably, as in the Latin expression carmen dicere–to “say” a song.

The idea of merely saying holy words publicly, whether of the Scripture or prayer, is found ONLY in Western Christianity (Catholic and Protestant)–not in ANY form of Eastern Christianity, and certainly not in Judaism or other religions. The very idea is considered unworthy of the texts! If the angels were proclaiming hymns of God’s glory in the Bible, you can bet they were singing or chanting them.

Finally, the lexica in Strong’s might be a good tool for the amateur or layman, but not for anyone doing REAL research into Biblical languages.

 

[thistle]

Does she believe in the Trinity? Ask her where that word is found in Scripture. Does she believe in Sola Scriptura? If so, ask her to show you where this is found in the Scriptures. Hopefully, this should nudge her a bit so that she will realize that the concept can be present without the specific words being used.

(BTW - I do believe in the Trinity and Sola Scriptura, and can back up these beliefs with Scriptures. I used these examples with the hope that your friend would find them convincing enough to consider that angels do sing, and this can be shown in the Scriptures.)

You cannot back up Sola Scriptura with Scriptures because Sola Scriptura is a falsehood. However, that is not for this thread.

 

[bpbasilphx]

\(BTW - I do believe in the Trinity and Sola Scriptura, and can back up these beliefs with Scriptures. I used these examples with the hope that your friend would find them convincing enough to consider that angels do sing, and this can be shown in the Scriptures.)\

**And just WHERE is Sola Sciptura found in Scriptures?

To be able to say there, there FIRST has to be a list of just WHAT is “Scriptura”. Where in the Bible is such an enumeration.

Actually, Scipture itself teaches AGAINST the idea of Sola Scriptura.

Even Jesus Himself did.

In other words, Sola Scriptura is a view of the Bible imposed upon it from OUTSIDE the Bible itself.**

 

[MonFrere]

I would say that since angels are non-corporeal being - creatures without bodies - what the Scriptures are speaking of is some “analogy” so humans can picture the glory of heaven.

Sound requires “vibration”. If there are no physical vocal cords no vibration can be produced, no vibration - no singing (AS HUMANS UNDERSTAND SINGING). Again, just as the scriptures give us anthropomorphic images of God it is done for the reason to give us an image of a world totally unlike anything on earth in a way we may “see through a glass darkly” – I think these scriptures of angels - saying things or singing things - is given in much the same frame of reference.

I’m sure whatever we experience in heaven will far surpass anything we experience on earth. Remember St. Paul …

(1 Cor 2:9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

MonFrere

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

I would say that since angels are non-corporeal being - creatures without bodies - what the Scriptures are speaking of is some “analogy” so humans can picture the glory of heaven.

Can I see a source for angels being non-corporeal? I always thought that they were since they have appeared with physical form to humans. IIRC Genesis calls them “The Sons of God” and talks about them marrying and having children with human women. (this confuses me, so correct me if I am wrong)

 

[MonFrere]

Can I see a source for angels being non-corporeal? I always thought that they were since they have appeared with physical form to humans. IIRC Genesis calls them “The Sons of God” and talks about them marrying and having children with human women. (this confuses me, so correct me if I am wrong)

From the CCC …

I. THE ANGELS

The existence of angels - a truth of faith

328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.

MonFrere

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

From the CCC …

I. THE ANGELS

The existence of angels - a truth of faith

328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.

MonFrere

Ah, many thanks!!

So then, not to change the topic too much, who are “the sons of God” in genesis??

 

[Ivan_in_Va]

Hi:
noticed your post. Actually, looking through Strongs and also the Interlinear Greek/English NT, there aren’t any references to angels singing. The text in Revelations, 5:11 uses the Greek word fo-nay which is a voice or sound that is relayed forward.
Hope the info helps.

 

[Todd_Easton]

The four living creatures around the throne of God, mentioned in Revelation 4 & 5, seem to be angelic beings of some sort (the same as or similar to the cherubim of Ezekiel 1:5-11, 10:20, or the seraphim of Isaiah 6:2) and they seem to join the twenty-four elders in singing a song in Revelation 5:8-9.

 

[donsnow]

Hi, Whitacre_Girl -

I’ve been reading your thread to this point. I would say, that angels sing. However, in post # 7, bpbasilphx writes at the end of the second paragraph, “…can bet they were singing or chanting them.”

And, that brings up chanting, a form of singing, that was widely used before the Middle Ages by many civilizations.

Also, very respectfully, I disagree with MonFrere in post # 11, that angels can’t make sounds because they have no vocal cords because they are non-corporeal beings. We find in Gen 19, 1 -3 Lot in Sodom, welcoming and speaking with two angels who speak to him, and dines with them.
So, I’m saying angels may manifest themselves to people in the appearance of corporeality.
So, whether singing or chanting (a form of singing) the shepherds heard the angels streaming glory to the skies outside Bethlehem, when Our Lord was born.

Don

 

[MonFrere]

Also, very respectfully, I disagree with MonFrere in post # 11, that angels can’t make sounds because they have no vocal cords because they are non-corporeal beings. We find in Gen 19, 1 -3 Lot in Sodom, welcoming and speaking with two angels who speak to him, and dines with them.

Oh dear – here we go again!! Hey Don. Hope you had a good rest last evening and a great day today. To add to my point. I think what we have in our world which we know as “music” has a counterpart in eternity. But, in our world music requires sound which requires vibration. No vibration - no music (as we know music on earth).

So, I think in heaven – in eternity - we will have “super (above) music”. I think what we have on earth is a marvelous counterpart. As 1 Cor says – Eye has not seen nor ear heard the marvelous thing that God has prepared for them that love God. I think much of what we experience as humans has a heavenly analogy. I’ve even heard Peter Kreeft, well known Catholic philosopher and author, write of a counterpart to sex… so, don’t think I’m TOO INSANE for proposing this little speculation. Very best.

MonFrere

 

[donsnow]

Oh dear – here we go again!! Hey Don. Hope you had a good rest last evening and a great day today. To add to my point. I think what we have in our world which we know as “music” has a counterpart in eternity. But, in our world music requires sound which requires vibration. No vibration - no music (as we know music on earth).

Good evening, MonFrere -

I’m as well as can be and hope you have a good night’s rest and pleasant dreams tonight.

Well, we are led to believe that the shepherds heard something from angels in the sky, and so and went to see the Christ child and worship him. I dunno how the angels did that, but, there you have it.

So, I think in heaven – in eternity - we will have “super (above) music”. I think what we have on earth is a marvelous counterpart. As 1 Cor says – Eye has not seen nor ear heard the marvelous thing that God has prepared for them that love God. I think much of what we experience as humans has a heavenly analogy. I’ve even heard Peter Kreeft, well known Catholic philosopher and author, write of a counterpart to sex… so, don’t think I’m TOO INSANE for proposing this little speculation. Very best.

MonFrere

We have a lot of beautiful and also lively church music and wonderful musical and symphonic works, as well as the ugly music. Didn’t have much ugly music in civilization until the 1960’s and since. But, I agree with you, there is more splendid, more majestic and more awesome sounds of worship in heaven, to which our good music is the counterpoint. I also think there is heavenly analogy to our lives; or, maybe our lives are counterpoints to the love of God?

Don

 

[MonFrere]

Well, we are led to believe that the shepherds heard something from angels in the sky, and so and went to see the Christ child and worship him. I dunno how the angels did that, but, there you have it.

My only point here would be that the CCC speak of angels being non corporal beings, beings without bodies. So, what we often have in scripture must be some sort of manifestation that they are capable of bringing to our reality. To quote our wonderful president – This is above my pay grade.

Have a blessed Christmas, Don.

MonFrere

 

[donsnow]

My only point here would be that the CCC speak of angels being non corporal beings, beings without bodies. So, what we often have in scripture must be some sort of manifestation that they are capable of bringing to our reality. To quote our wonderful president – This is above my pay grade.

Have a blessed Christmas, Don.

MonFrere

Well, then, MonFrere -

That is surely above my pay grade, too .

You, too, sir.

Don