Why We GatherSample

Songs, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

I was tremendously blessed to have been raised by parents who were active church leaders; one a preacher, the other a worship leader. Still, for the first 18 years of my life, you couldn’t have paid me to participate in worship. 

Too emotional. Too expressive. Silly. Ingenuine.

What seemed like sensible thinking at the time was actually a barrier that prevented me from embracing a powerful impetus for transformation. 

In his writings to the Ephesians and Colossians, Paul discusses the significance of expressing worship in the form of “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16).” What is interesting is that in his letters to either community, Paul is describing the way of life that is exhibited by Christians whose lives have been transformed in Christ.

In chapter 5 of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes the we should discard all immorality, impurity, and crudeness to be imitators of God. As such, we ought to walk in love, walk as children of light, and walk in wisdom (Eph 5:2; 8; 15). 

To the Colossians, Paul teaches that we have been raised with Christ; therefore, our old selves have been put to death and have been replaced with the new self that is “being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Col 3:5-11; ESV).” Like his instructions to the Ephesians, Paul encourages the Colossians to put away all of their former immorality and impurity to be renewed in the new life of Christ. 

To both churches, Paul is describing what a transformed life and community in Jesus looks like. And to both, he includes musical worship:

“Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:17-21; ESV).

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col 3:16-17; ESV).”

Christian community knows the transformative power of communal worship. It has shaped our gathering since the beginning of the Church and has continued to shape us through uncounted creative variations and evolutions. 

You may not be a great singer or musician—that’s okay! But try to understand that something about this form of worship exposes us to God’s transformative power. Musical worship isn’t just a creative preference or cathartic emotional release. Worshipful psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are a hallmark of the renewed life we share together in Christ. 

Reflect:

Take a moment to remember your own transformative worship experiences. Share one with a member of your group.

In Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3, worship is included in the greater topic of transformation and new life. Are there any other topics that appear in both letters? What correlations do you see?

What do you think of Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 5 to address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs? 

Respond:

Find a musician in your group. Have everyone decide on a few songs and allocate an agreeable amount of time to dedicate to worshipping together this week. Be open to the experience and give God permission to transform you as you worship together.  

Worship can feel very vulnerable and exposing. Know that you are free to worship in whatever way feels comfortable and genuine to you. If you don’t feel comfortable worshipping in this way, try to make time to worship privately in whatever way feels best to you!