#CHURCHTALK 18: What types of songs does the Bible tell Christians to Sing?

This is the third and final week of an awesome conversation about music and Christian songs. The feedback we have received from our readers so far have been amazing and inspiring.

In the first week of this discussion, we made clear what music, Christian music, gospel music, worldly music and secular music are, providing clarity to what they mean with respect to Christianity. That article is one of the most illuminating literature available on the internet today on the subject.

The second week's discussion provided a disruptive view about how "Christian" some "Christian songs" really are, within the context of new testament apostolic teaching. It was as insightful to many as it was disruptive.

This week, we conclude by defining in clear terms what types of songs Christians are admonished to use in communing with one another, and with God. They are: psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Twice, in his letters to two different churches, the apostle, Paul, told them to use these three in personal and congregational communions/fellowships.

Ephesians 5:19 [AMP] 
Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,

See how he writes it with greater detail to the Colossian church below:

Colossians 3:16 [AMP]
Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

There are a number of things to be gleaned from Paul's writing to the Colossians.

First is that Christian songs have to be based upon a proper understanding, rich in-dwelling, and use of the words and teachings of Jesus Christ, dwelling richly in our hearts.

Second is that we're supposed to use those songs to teach, admonish and train one another to become wise and intelligent in the spiritual things taught by Christ.

Third is that this singing is to be done with all our hearts; meaning that it should be heartfelt, genuine and concerted (i.e harmonious and passionate).

A section of Watchman Choir sings during ARUKAH! on October 1st, 2019. ARUKAH! is a worship concert hosted yearly on the same date by Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement

What are psalms?

A psalm is a song crafted like a lyrical poem, in which a person expresses a strong feeling of love or respect for someone or something.

Essentially, psalms are the result of the deep and personal meditations of a person about his/her object of love or admiration. King David wrote a lot of such, and complied, they make up the longest book in the Bible called Psalms. Also, Hannah's prayer in 1Samuel 2:1-10 is essentially a psalm.

The meditations of a Christian on the teachings and works of Jesus Christ in his/her life, particularly as pertains to daily living, can result in psalms being written to praise, admire, describe, or showcase those teachings and works, and their results.

For example, most songs sang by popular musicians Gozie and Njideka Okeke, Tope Alabi, and similar ones are mainly psalms. They're often long and descriptive of Christ's work in human affairs.

The distinctive nature of psalms makes them a lot more personal and relative to the personal understanding and application of the singers. When you sing a psalm, you know what you mean and are trying to express before God or men.

What are Hymns? 

There is only a thin line between a psalm and a hymn in meaning, as both tend to have the same structure. But, hymns are more poetic, and stanzas are often used.

The differentiating factor is that hymns are more about the expressions of praise, and a strong feeling of love and admiration for God or His Christ, their works and nature.

A cross-section of worshippers during the ARUKAH! event last year. The next ARUKAH! event is set to hold this year on October 1st in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Most hymns are composed and sang using the classical genre of music, and are often solemn and sang like a sacred anthem. Hymn composers aren't so popular, and are often classical musicians.

What are spiritual songs? 

The Greek word used by Paul for the word "spiritual" here is pneumatikos, translated "spirit". In other words, spiritual songs are translated "spirit songs". They are songs of God, quickened into a man's spirit.

One thing that both the old and the new testaments have in common is spirit songs, for they are songs of God. They extol God, His person and attributes.

Revelation 15:3 [KJV] 
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Spiritual songs are heavenly songs. They are songs of the testament (or testimony) of God (both old and new). God's work of redemption for man is often the theme of spiritual songs.

Spiritual songs are what old testament folks meant and sang when they said that God Himself was their song. That was the song Moses taught them.

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

In new testament parlance, they tell of the victory of Christ over sin and death, the power of His resurrection, the salvation He has purchased once-for-all, the promise of His second coming, the power of His name, and the power and attributes of the new-creation-man in Christ.

In conclusion, under new testament doctrine, there are three pivotal activities during which we communicate strictly with God: prayer, singing, and speaking in tongues.

It is important to note that when you sing, you make melody to God, and this melody is meant to be heartfelt. So, singing should always be from the heart; genuine, passionate and full of worship and meaning.


Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso is a CNBC Africa opinion writer and civil/structural engineer in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog, and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com