The Bible mentions three types of songs that Christians should sing: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. While they have some overlap in meaning, each refers to a different style and use of music for worship and teaching.
Psalms
The Book of Psalms in the Bible is a collection of 150 songs and prayers written by several authors, including David, Asaph, and the sons of Korah. The psalms cover a wide range of topics, emotions, and purposes, including praise, lament, wisdom, royal, pilgrimage, prophetic, and more. Some of the key themes include trust in God, repentance, God’s deliverance, God’s justice and mercy, the Messiah, and worship.
When Paul instructs believers to sing “psalms” in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, he is likely referring specifically to the biblical psalms in the Book of Psalms. Christians have historically used the Psalms extensively in worship services and private devotion because they powerfully express essential spiritual themes and provide God’s people divinely inspired words to sing. Singing the biblical psalms tunes our hearts to God’s truth and beauty.
Hymns
Hymns are sacred songs and poems of praise to God, often with stanzas and choruses. Many hymns celebrate biblical truths and Christian doctrine. In the New Testament, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they were “praying and singing hymns to God” at midnight (Acts 16:25). This suggests the early Christians likely had a body of hymns they sang together regularly.
Well-known hymns that teach deep spiritual truths include “Amazing Grace,” “It Is Well with My Soul,” “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “How Great Thou Art,” and many others. Hymns tend to have rich biblical imagery and theological depth. They help Christians understand and reflect on biblical truths. Singing great hymns together builds unity as believers declare profound, meaningful truths in worship.
Spiritual Songs
“Spiritual songs” is the most general category, encompassing a variety of music meant for praise, teaching, and encouragement. This could include songs directly based on Scripture, like the Psalms, as well as songs emphasizing biblical truths without directly quoting the Bible. Spiritual songs have a broad range in style, form, topic, and liturgical function.
Contemporary worship music songs that focus on celebrating God and His work in our lives can be considered “spiritual songs.” Songs that retell biblical narratives or highlight aspects of Christ’s nature and ministry are spiritual songs. Some spiritual songs might be newly written by Christians while others draw language and imagery directly from Scripture. By singing spiritual songs with rich biblical truth, believers can encourage one another and strengthen their faith.
Distinctions and Similarities
There is certainly overlap between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Hymns often incorporate biblical psalms or parts of them. Spiritual songs can include reciting or rephrasing Scripture. All three are sacred music grounded in God’s Word. However, some distinctions can be made:
- Psalms – The biblical psalms, usually sung or chanted.
- Hymns – Formal, structured songs that celebrate God and affirm sound doctrine.
- Spiritual songs – A broad category of diverse sacred music in regard to form, style, topic, etc.
While the categories have some fluidity, all three are meant for the praise and edification of God’s people. They enrich our private and corporate worship. Through them, biblical truth is impressed upon our hearts and the church is built up in unity and faith.
Purposes of Each Kind of Song
Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs serve overlapping but complementary purposes in the Christian’s life:
- Psalms – Provide divinely inspired words to sing; cover the range of human emotions and spirituality
- Hymns – Teach sound doctrine; celebrate God’s nature and work in poetic form
- Spiritual Songs – Broad category; focus on spiritual experience; renewing our minds; great diversity in form and style
Together, these three biblical categories of sacred music provide timeless words to sing, rich theological truth and training, expressions of authentic faith, and great diversity for the praise of God. They bless, instruct, and edify God’s people, serving as valuable tools for worship, unity, and growth.
Examples and Analysis
Looking at specific examples can help highlight the unique roles and characteristics of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs:
Psalms
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
This psalm of praise from the Old Testament is an example of the Spirit-inspired sacred songs God’s people have used in worship for millennia. Its stanzas highlight key truths about God’s character and why He deserves praise.
Hymns
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God by Martin Luther
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
This classic hymn summarizes the comfort and security believers have in God’s power and protection, no matter what the enemy throws against them. Its imagery and declarations of theological truth inspire faith and trust in God.
Spiritual Songs
As the Deer by Martin Nystrom
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after you
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship you
This popular contemporary worship song uses the imagery of a thirsty deer to express the writer’s desire for God’s presence. It centers on an intimate spiritual experience of longing for God’s Person.
These examples give a taste of how psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs each contribute something unique to our faith. Yet they all blend together to bless and edify God’s people through music.
Guidelines for Christian Songs
Since songs powerfully impact our minds and spirits, it is crucial that Christians exercise discernment in what they regularly sing. All music meant for worship should be evaluated against biblical guidelines:
- Is it doctrinally sound, theologically precise and clear?
- Does it focus on God’s nature, work, and truth rather than fleeting emotions or experiences?
- Does it affirm essential biblical truths about the human condition and God’s redemption?
- Does it align with Scripture more than culture or personal preference?
- Does it build up others and strengthen the church in faith?
Asking these questions helps filter out unhelpful or even unhealthy music wrongly labeled as “Christian.” While musical forms can vary widely, the message must be grounded in God’s Word to qualify as psalms, hymns or spiritual songs.
Singing All Three Together
Christians don’t have to choose just one or two of these categories. In both corporate worship services and individual times of praise, it is beneficial to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs together in a balanced way. This provides:
- The richness of the Bible’s language and themes through psalms
- Sound doctrine and deep encouragement through time-tested hymns
- Fresh expressions of faith for today’s world through new spiritual songs
Together, these three biblical song categories create a diverse repertoire that engages the heart, mind, and spirit in praise to God. They blend biblical truth with emotional intimacy and vibrant beauty that glorifies God.
The Priority of God-Centered Words
While musical style matters, the most fundamental measure for assessing a song’s worth is its words. Music has power, but lyrics shape understanding. Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs profoundly impact us through the truths they impress upon our hearts. Therefore, Christians must prioritize singing words that align with Scripture, focus on God’s nature and work, and present sound theology.
Biblical priorities for church music include rich, God-centered lyrics grounded in His Word – not music so loud, repetitive or performance-driven that it hinders meditation on the truths being sung. Our words in worship should magnify Christ, not exalt musical technique or stylistic preference.
Application for Worship Today
Many debates and conflicts over church music could be avoided if Christians focused on the biblical principles and purposes behind psalms, hymns and spiritual songs rather than arguing opinions or cultural styles. When the lyrics are Scripture-saturated and theologically rich, churches have tremendous freedom in musical forms.
Hymns set to updated melodies and rhythms can powerfully impact new generations. The biblical psalms, though ancient, still resonate when sung anew. Fresh spiritual songs that thoughtfully express scriptural truths in relatable language are greatly needed. The boundaries are wide when God’s Word informs the content.
Rather than surface-level debates over tradition vs. innovation in church music, Christians should aim for diversity grounded in biblical truth. This looks like a wise blend of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs from all eras, cultural styles, and languages that exult Christ and edify His Church.
Conclusion
Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs each have unique strengths and important roles. The psalms offer divinely inspired words for worship and spiritual expression. Time-tested hymns teach sound doctrine through poetic imagery and metaphor. Spiritual songs provide contemporary ways to celebrate biblical truth and Christian experience. Together they proclaim God’s praises, bring deeper understanding, and strengthen the impact of truth through the powerful medium of music.
Churches that incorporate this diverse biblical repertoire – centered on the Word more than musical style – praise God in the spirit of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Their faith deepens and enriched worship strengthens their unity and witness. The lyrical content trumps form or delivery as the essence of biblical worship music that pleases God and blesses His people.