Psalms, Hymns and (Spiritual) Songs (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16): A Quick Survey
Rev. McGeown surveys the biblical terminology for songs in Scripture, demonstrating that "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) all find their basis in the Old Testament Psalter. By examining Greek word meanings and providing examples from the Psalms themselves, he argues that believers should allow Scripture—not modern definitions—to define these worship terms and recognize the sufficiency of the Psalms for corporate singing.
Rev. Martyn McGeown The book of Psalms uses three words to describe the songs in the Psalter (in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament). These are ψαλμὸς (“psalm”), ὕμνος (“hymn” [song of praise]) and ᾠδή (“ode” [song]). In addition, “hymn” in either its noun or verb form is found in Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26 (Jesus and His disciples sang a “hymn” from the Hallel Psalms, Psalms 113-118, as all agree), Acts 16:25 (Paul and Silas “hymned,” in the dark prison at Philippi, Psalms...