Ephesians 5:15-21, Public Worship: Singing (3)

The Bible Study is not complicated.  Let’s do this in outline form.

1)    The worship of singing was commanded & practiced in Old Testament times.  Psalms 51:14-15; 81:1; Neh 12:27-47.

a)    Scripture:

i)      Psalm 51:14 (David’s confession Psalm) Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.  15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

ii)   Psalms 81:1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

b)    There were 3 important names in the music of Israel (1 Chron. 16:7; 25:1-7). men appointed by David to lead the choir and orchestra and to compose.  Descendants of these men continued to lead late in Israel’s history (2 Chron. 35:15), even after the return from the Babylonian captivity (Neh. 11:17).

1.    Asaph

2.    Heman

3.    Jeduthan

c)    Neh. 12:27-47: the dedication of the wall was a gigantic musical program of thanksgiving to God!!!  Surround sound!

2)    The worship of singing was encouraged in the New Testament.  Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16.

a)    Scripture:

i)      Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

ii)   Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

b)    Principles from these two passages:

i)      Public    SINGING    is encouraged.

(1)                        Note: "speaking" in Eph. 5:18 is a general term that includes such things as hissing, singing.  It is not confined to giving a speech.

ii)   Public singing is a product of the    THE SPIRIT FILLED LIFE. 

iii)               VARIETY    is encouraged.  The different terms in each passage are not meant to be some grand categorizing. BUT he used more than one term because no one term would do.

(1)                        Psalms: Psalms, fr. Scripture.

(2)                        Hymns: other songs expressing praise to God.

(3)                        Spiritual songs: other music prompted by the HS.

iv) True    WORSHIP    is commanded.

(1)                        “To the Lord”: while they speak/sing to each other, it is ultimately to be Godward.

(2)                        “In your hearts”/”with grace in your hearts”: as Jesus said, true worshippers worship in Spirit & truth!!! NO HYPOCRISY.  Note: this was also an OT principle ... Lev 29:30 ... God has always wanted worship from the heart.