Ephesians 5:19

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, &c.] By psalms are meant the Psalms of David, and others which compose the book that goes by that name, for other psalms there are none; and by “hymns” we are to understand, not such as are made by good men, without the inspiration of the Spirit of God; since they are placed between psalms and spiritual songs, made by men inspired by the Holy Ghost; and are put upon a level with them, and to be sung along with them, to the edification of churches; but these are only another name for the Book of Psalms, the running title of which may as well be the Book of Hymns, as it is rendered by Ainsworth; and the psalm which our Lord sung…”

“(Col 3:16). to yourselves--"to one another." Hence soon arose the antiphonal or responsive chanting of which PLINY writes to Trajan: "They are wont on a fixed day to meet before daylight [to avoid persecution] and to recite a hymn among themselves by turns, to Christ, as if being God." The Spirit gives true eloquence; wine, a spurious eloquence. psalms--generally accompanied by an instrument. hymns--in direct praise to God (compare Act 16:25; Co1 14:26; Jam 5:13). songs--the general term for lyric pieces; "spiritual" is added to mark their being here restricted to sacred subjects, though not merely to direct praises of God, but also containing exhortations, prophecies, &c. Contrast the…”

“Speaking to yourselves - Speaking among yourselves, that is, endeavoring to edify one another, and to promote purity of heart, by songs of praise. This has the force of a command, and it is a matter of obligation on Christians. From the beginning, praise was an important part of public worship, and is designed to be to the end of the world; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 14:15. Nothing is more clear than that it was practiced by the Saviour himself and the apostles (see Matthew 26:30), and by the primitive church, as well as by the great body of Christians in all ages. In psalms - The Psalms of David were sung by the Jews at the temple, and by the early Christians (notes Matthew 26:30), and…”

“Speaking to each other - By the Spirit. In the Psalms - Of David. And hymns - Of praise. And spiritual songs - On any divine subject. By there being no inspired songs, peculiarly adapted to the Christian dispensation, as there were to the Jewish, it is evident that the promise of the Holy Ghost to believers, in the last days, was by his larger effusion to supply the lack of it. Singing with your hearts - As well as your voice. To the Lord - Jesus, who searcheth the heart. Ephesians 5:20”

“5:19-20 Lives filled with the Holy Spirit will be expressed in singing . . . and making music (Col 3:16-17). Joyful praise, worship, and giving thanks are fitting responses to God’s saving grace. • among yourselves: Singing together builds up the body of Christ. • The Lord hears the music in our hearts. • in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is our mediator and representative as we approach God (cp. John 14:13-14; 16:23-27; Rev 22:4).”

“to yourselves: Act 16:25; Co1 14:26; Col 3:16; Jam 5:13 psalms: Psalms, ψαλμοι \[Strong's G5568\], from ψαλλω \[Strong's G5567\], to touch or play on a musical instrument, properly denotes such sacred songs or poems as are sung to stringed instruments, and may here refer to those of David; hymns, υμνοι \[Strong's G5215\], from υδω, to sing, celebrate, praise, signifies songs in honour of God; and songs ωδαι \[Strong's G5603\], from αειδω, to sing, denotes any regular poetic composition adapted to singing, and is here restricted to those which are spiritual. Psa 95:2, Psa 105:2; Mat 26:30 making: Psa 47:7, Psa 47:8, Psa 62:8, Psa 86:12, Psa 105:3, Psa 147:7; Isa 65:14; Mat 15:8; Joh 4:23, Joh…”