HYMN. A Christian song of worship (Mt. 26:30; Ep. 5:19; Col. 3:16). "[In Ep. 5:19] the great apostle is stating how singing Christians will act when they come together as contrasted to the behavior of non-Christians when they assemble for their wild and licentious drunken orgies. Christians will express themselves differently. ... THE PSALM has reference to the O.T. psalm or to a composition similar to it in construction. There is seemingly no limit placed on this word as some have implied, for there were also Christian psalms which had been composed by members of the early churches. The meaning here could apply to either the Hebrew or Christian psalms or perhaps both. The use of this word in this manner seems to indicate an accompaniment on an instrument or group of instruments. Paul admonishes them to utilize the psalms. The use of this word also leads us to believe that instrumental music, which was such a vital factor in Jewish music, was also carried over into the N.T. churches. THE HYMNS referred to were primarily songs of praise to God or Christ, and are supposed by some to have been distinctly Christian. The principal idea here is not whether they were accompanied or unaccompanied but that the song is directed toward the Lord. He becomes the point of reference and the central figure, and in the hymn, all attention is focused on his person, character, will, and action. We cannot be too certain, but it is possible that the main distinction between the psalm and the hymn was contingent on the matter of accompaniment. The psalm was always accompanied; the hymn might or might not be. There is strong evidence also that the hymns were distinctly Christian, at least those referred to in this passage. "SPIRITUAL SONGS ... probably refers to a specific type of sacred song similar to our present-day gospel songs. Since they could be general in character, they might use any subject and be directed toward any object. And just as today, it is probable that the psalm or the hymn might have been used for the same purposes as the spiritual song. "Though the exact meaning of these words as they are used here is quite difficult to determine, it is reasonable to assume that the apostle had in mind three distinct types of sacred song. It seems quite evident that he believed churches should use every effective means of proclaiming the gospel and adding life and variety to the worship services" (Paul McCommon, Music In the Bible). It is possible that one of the distinctions between these terms lies in their connection with inspiration. The psalms were inspired Scripture. The first hymns were written by men in the early churches who were closely connected with the giving of revelation. The spiritual songs are not inspired but are based upon the truth of the inspired Scripture.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Jun 2013 20:01:38 +0000
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