Seize the Moment – Day 452
What makes a hymn a hymn?
Ephesians 5:18b-19 (NLT)
“Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.” (NLT)
Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are all sung in praise of God. The difference depends on where they have been taken from, their music and words, and the instruments accompanying them.
Last week, we learned that Isaac Watts began writing in the 17th century hymns and spiritual songs because his father’s church was tired of just singing the Psalms. But we were encouraged to do this all the way back to the 1st century church.
A Psalm is a song that is taken from the Book of Psalms and was accompanied by stringed instruments and percussion instruments.
Hymns are formal and traditional songs sung by the congregation that normally have four-part harmony written out for them. Many times, the lyrics were written out and then sung to classical music, traditional cultural songs and even using the melodies of songs that were sung in the local taverns. (How scandalous is that?)
Spiritual songs are normally described as the inspired and spontaneous songs given by the Holy Spirit Himself. They are influenced by different cultural and musical styles.