Over the history of the church, there have been many different types of songs of faith. From chant and organum, where one or more voices are added to a plainchant melody, to chorales, from hymns to modern songs, the church has different genres to identify styles and eras of songs.

Today, we will focus on one verse in which Paul designates three types of songs for God’s people: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (also in Col. 3:16). Much has been made about what these mean and what they meant for the early church. In short, no one knows for sure. But one thing is for certain: the psalms are psalms. Meaning, the early Christians (including Paul) knew that the psalms were part of God’s Word along with the writings of Moses (the Torah), the prophets, and other books in our Old Testament today.

When we see a call to sing and address one another with psalms, we can be sure that it is indeed a call for our local churches to sing lyrics straight from or based on the psalms. And when we do, what a blessing it can be! The resurrected Jesus told His disciples that “everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). When we sing the psalms, we sing Christ and the Word.

What about hymns and spiritual songs? The Greek word for hymns refers to a song of praise or ode to a god. If so, hymns can be seen as song lyrics that give praise and honor to God, honor to Christ. Spiritual songs may imply more personal songs of the human spirit connecting to a divine power. And the psalms contain both: songs praising who God is and giving Him honor with personal emotions and language directed to Him.

Over the history of the church, there have been many different types of songs of faith. From chant and organum, where one or more voices are added to a plainchant melody, to chorales, from hymns to modern songs, the church has different genres to identify styles and eras of songs.
Today, we will focus on one verse in which Paul designates three types of songs for God’s people: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (also in Col. 3:16). Much has been made about what these mean and what they meant for the early church. In short, no one knows for sure. But one thing is for certain: the psalms are psalms. Meaning, the early Christians (including Paul) knew that the psalms were part of God’s Word along with the writings of Moses (the Torah), the prophets, and other books in our Old Testament today.
When we see a call to sing and address one another with psalms, we can be sure that it is indeed a call for our local churches to sing lyrics straight from or based on the psalms. And when we do, what a blessing it can be! The resurrected Jesus told His disciples that “everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). When we sing the psalms, we sing Christ and the Word.
What about hymns and spiritual songs? The Greek word for hymns refers to a song of praise or ode to a god. If so, hymns can be seen as song lyrics that give praise and honor to God, honor to Christ. Spiritual songs may imply more personal songs of the human spirit connecting to a divine power. And the psalms contain both: songs praising who God is and giving Him honor with personal emotions and language directed to Him.

Today in the Word is a daily audio devotional available via podcast. Today in the Word features solid biblical content and study that models the mission and values of Moody Bible Institute.

Today in the Word Devotional

Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/816288d3-241a-4207-bfed-b162015a1981/transcript

Sometimes we act like following Jesus requires building an impressive religious resume. We make sure our calendar is packed with plenty of to-do items for Jesus. How many church committees have we served on? How many times have we read through the Bible? Do we have perfect attendance at church services? Do we look the part of a perfect Christian?

Matthew 15 contains a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees about tradition and purity. The Pharisees were accusing Jesus’ disciples of breaking tradition by not washing their hands before eating (v. 2). Jesus highlighted the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, emphasizing that it’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of it (v. 11). Jesus was redirecting their focus from external rituals to their heart’s condition. He declared that what defiles a person comes from the heart and is not caused by what a person consumes.

Jesus listed several unclean things that come out of our mouths that actually come from our hearts. From our hearts come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, and slander (vv. 18–19). The mouth simply reveals what has been in our hearts all along.

What lesson can we learn? It is critical to prioritize the state of our hearts over the performance of religious duties. Jesus said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (v. 8). God’s presence is not dependent on our outward practices but on our inward commitment and love for Him. He desires hearts that are devoted to Him more than merely complying with tradition. It is critical to do some internal “housecleaning” to discover, through confession and repentance, what evil lurks in our hearts.

Sometimes we act like following Jesus requires building an impressive religious resume. We make sure our calendar is packed with plenty of to-do items for Jesus. How many church committees have we served on? How many times have we read through the Bible? Do we have perfect attendance at church services? Do we look the part of a perfect Christian?
Matthew 15 contains a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees about tradition and purity. The Pharisees were accusing Jesus’ disciples of breaking tradition by not washing their hands before eating (v. 2). Jesus highlighted the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, emphasizing that it’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of it (v. 11). Jesus was redirecting their focus from external rituals to their heart’s condition. He declared that what defiles a person comes from the heart and is not caused by what a person consumes.
Jesus listed several unclean things that come out of our mouths that actually come from our hearts. From our hearts come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, and slander (vv. 18–19). The mouth simply reveals what has been in our hearts all along.
What lesson can we learn? It is critical to prioritize the state of our hearts over the performance of religious duties. Jesus said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (v. 8). God’s presence is not dependent on our outward practices but on our inward commitment and love for Him. He desires hearts that are devoted to Him more than merely complying with tradition. It is critical to do some internal “housecleaning” to discover, through confession and repentance, what evil lurks in our hearts.

His Presence in Our Hearts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/ce7617da-7f5a-4296-9b95-b16f017b2731/transcript

Picture a storm at sea. A ship is being tossed about in the crashing waves, its crew fearing for their lives. Then, in the distance, a lighthouse beam cuts through the darkness and storm. The sailors recognize the landmark, relieved that there’s a safe route home. In Matthew 14, Jesus Himself serves as a lighthouse to His disciples during an actual storm at sea.

Immediately after feeding the five thousand (vv. 15–21), Jesus sends His disciples on ahead of Him to cross the Sea of Galilee while He retreats to pray (vv. 22–23). During the night, a violent storm arises, and the disciples then see Jesus walking toward them on the water (vv. 24–26). Initially they are terrified, but they soon find comfort when Jesus yells out to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (v. 27), and He climbs into the boat with them.

Jesus certainly does not pro- mise an absence of storms, but His presence assures us that we are never alone in facing them. As we navigate life’s challenges, let us remember the words of Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Despite adverse conditions, God’s presence is our refuge and strength. We can take courage knowing He is with us, offering His comforting voice and guiding presence amidst the storms.

This passage contains another one of the five times in the book of Matthew where Jesus characterizes the disciples as those of “little faith” (v. 31). In this case, it’s because of their little faith and because they fear for their safety despite Jesus’ presence.

Remember, during your challenges Jesus still cries out to you “It is I.” His presence is all you need to weather the fiercest storms. He even offers to climb into the boat with you!

Picture a storm at sea. A ship is being tossed about in the crashing waves, its crew fearing for their lives. Then, in the distance, a lighthouse beam cuts through the darkness and storm. The sailors recognize the landmark, relieved that there’s a safe route home. In Matthew 14, Jesus Himself serves as a lighthouse to His disciples during an actual storm at sea.
Immediately after feeding the five thousand (vv. 15–21), Jesus sends His disciples on ahead of Him to cross the Sea of Galilee while He retreats to pray (vv. 22–23). During the night, a violent storm arises, and the disciples then see Jesus walking toward them on the water (vv. 24–26). Initially they are terrified, but they soon find comfort when Jesus yells out to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (v. 27), and He climbs into the boat with them.
Jesus certainly does not pro- mise an absence of storms, but His presence assures us that we are never alone in facing them. As we navigate life’s challenges, let us remember the words of Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Despite adverse conditions, God’s presence is our refuge and strength. We can take courage knowing He is with us, offering His comforting voice and guiding presence amidst the storms.
This passage contains another one of the five times in the book of Matthew where Jesus characterizes the disciples as those of “little faith” (v. 31). In this case, it’s because of their little faith and because they fear for their safety despite Jesus’ presence.
Remember, during your challenges Jesus still cries out to you “It is I.” His presence is all you need to weather the fiercest storms. He even offers to climb into the boat with you!

His Presence in a Storm

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/6d131f3f-4f4c-4660-b4ed-b16f017b25e1/transcript

Have you ever tried to start a garden? The necessary ingredients are pretty basic: seeds, water, sunshine, and soil. But if any part of that equation is missing or less than ideal, the results can be disappointing!

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells a series of parables (the highest concentration in any single chapter of Matthew’s Gospel). But Jesus is not just telling amusing anecdotes. He is using these object lessons to make an important point. In His two previous sermons, Jesus introduced the idea of His kingdom—its ethics (chapters 5–7) and its mission (chapter 10). In chapter 13, He answers many of the objections and concerns the crowds had about the coming kingdom, such as why it would not come about quickly.

Jesus tells of a farmer who scatters seed on various types of soil (vv. 3–8). Some seeds fall on the path, eaten by birds. Some fall on rocky ground, sprout quickly, but wither without deep roots. Some fall among thorns and are choked out. But the seed that falls on good soil flourishes, producing a bountiful harvest. This parable teaches us about God’s Word and the power of its presence in our lives. In Mark’s version of this parable, he states that the seed is the Word of God, and the soil is different levels of people’s receptivity to that Word (Mark 4:13–20). God’s Word is ever available, ever potent. However, the condition of our hearts determines how well we receive and cultivate His presence.

Just as a farmer prepares the soil before planting, we must prepare our hearts to receive God’s Word. This involves eliminating distractions, seeking forgiveness, and approaching God’s Word with openness and expectancy. When we allow His Word to take root in our lives, it not only transforms us but also produces fruit that benefits others.

Have you ever tried to start a garden? The necessary ingredients are pretty basic: seeds, water, sunshine, and soil. But if any part of that equation is missing or less than ideal, the results can be disappointing!
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells a series of parables (the highest concentration in any single chapter of Matthew’s Gospel). But Jesus is not just telling amusing anecdotes. He is using these object lessons to make an important point. In His two previous sermons, Jesus introduced the idea of His kingdom—its ethics (chapters 5–7) and its mission (chapter 10). In chapter 13, He answers many of the objections and concerns the crowds had about the coming kingdom, such as why it would not come about quickly.
Jesus tells of a farmer who scatters seed on various types of soil (vv. 3–8). Some seeds fall on the path, eaten by birds. Some fall on rocky ground, sprout quickly, but wither without deep roots. Some fall among thorns and are choked out. But the seed that falls on good soil flourishes, producing a bountiful harvest. This parable teaches us about God’s Word and the power of its presence in our lives. In Mark’s version of this parable, he states that the seed is the Word of God, and the soil is different levels of people’s receptivity to that Word (Mark 4:13–20). God’s Word is ever available, ever potent. However, the condition of our hearts determines how well we receive and cultivate His presence.
Just as a farmer prepares the soil before planting, we must prepare our hearts to receive God’s Word. This involves eliminating distractions, seeking forgiveness, and approaching God’s Word with openness and expectancy. When we allow His Word to take root in our lives, it not only transforms us but also produces fruit that benefits others.

Seeds of His Presence

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/c1b6a463-cc11-432a-8b92-b16f017b252f/transcript

Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs

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