Ephesians 5:19-20 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The grammar of these verses is linked back to verse 18 and the command, “be filled with the Spirit.” Including verse 21, there are five participles that are grammatically dependent upon the verb in verse 18. These participles show the result of the work of the Holy Spirit within people. These actions can serve as a form of test of how the new life in Christ looks like. They are not actions that “just happen” because a person is a believer. They require the action of obedient faith. These are activities in which believers must involve themselves with intention and purpose. They are especially focused upon the gathered church that is united in the one faith.
The first is to communicate together in some way with music. It is difficult to know what is the difference between psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. In today’s worship, there are different types of music. Some songs are more formal and have verses. Some are quick and communicate a simple message. What is clear is that the earliest of believers sang and made music together. The Spirit moved them to sing about their faith. Music has always been a key part of Christian worship. Millions of songs have been sung over the ages that celebrate what God in Christ has done. Music has a way of lifting the eyes of our hearts to God. Unfortunately, music divides people when the songs, melodies, or rhythms are different and make some people uncomfortable. Music is highly cultural, and this culture can be divided as generational.
The second and third participles are parallel to the first and are further aspects of making music. Singing and making melody (a word related to “psalms”) have a specific target and source: to the Lord and with your heart. The music in the church should have a special purpose of glorifying the Lord, referring to Jesus Christ. These are songs of salvation that celebrate what Christ has done for us. Most Christian songs are somehow related to the gospel or what the gospel does for us. Some songs contain significant theology and can be forms of catechesis (training) for people. Other songs may be rather simple and appeal more to the emotions. Whatever the style or wording, the key idea is if they are focused on praise to the Lamb and if they are genuinely coming from the heart. Music can help refocus and recenter our lives so that our attention is put back where it should be in praise and worship.
For older posts, click here.