“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19).
What should replace the drunken dissipation of the old man? The new man is characterized by exhilaration of the Spirit that leads on to song and praise. Notice that we are to speak to one another. The fullness of the Spirit will always lead one to find fellowship with other believers. And anywhere believers gather you will find song and praise.
The psalms were originally that which was sung to the harp. Here it probably refers to the Old Testament Psalms but also to songs like those found on the lips of Mary, Zacharias, and Simeon in the New Testament (see Lk. 1 and 2). These were new Psalms announcing the Messiah but clearly reflect the spirit and manner of the Old Testament Psalms.
The hymn in classical Greek was a festive lyric in praise of a hero or Greek god. We can detect several hymn fragments in the New Testament. Spiritual songs may suggest an original creation somewhat like a praise chorus of our day. The greatness and the glory of God lead believers to musical expressions of joy and praise. Sometimes you may be so moved in worship that the melody simply floods the heart and is not audibly expressed. When the Spirit is present there will be an outbreak of praise.
Prayer: Teach me to making melody in my heart today. Amen.