“...speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”
(Ephesians 5:19 NKJV)

worship the Lord through singing

In this section of Ephesians, Paul lists several duties and characteristics that concern Christians. Instead of being filled (drunk) with wine, we are to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). This includes worshipping the Lord in song.

“Speaking to one another” certainly authorizes an assembly. (Contrast James 5:13— “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”)

The words that describe the songs overlap greatly. Psalms include songs of praise. Hymns may be used in a wider context of sacred poetic compositions designed to honor God. Spiritual songs come form the Holy Spirit (the New Testament).

Making melody was used in Old Testament passages of plucking on the strings of a harp. In New Testament worship, we pluck the heart (mind, emotions, will). While this excludes mechanical music, it requires worshippers to put their heart into their singing. We worship God with our spirit (Romans 1:9). Anything else is vain.

– Rick Duggin