“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” - Colossians 3:16.
The word of God is life giving and it is our source of strength. When we read the word of God, it inspires and encourages us, but when the word of God is in us, we may inspire and encourage others.
The word ‘dwell’ suggests more than an occasional visit, but that God’s word is alive and living permanently in us. This leads to us having His wisdom, with which we teach and admonish each other.
The method of teaching in this scripture is to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. This may not be our conventional way of teaching, but it is biblical.
When we sing songs of praise to God we are obeying a command. We are also helping each other to go deeper in God.
Individually, we can sing our songs of grace and thanksgiving to God. However, there is something very special about singing together.
We encourage each other, spurring one another on. (Hebrews 10:24).
We join in agreement with each other (1 Corinthians 1:10).
We have a greater sense of Gods presence, as He inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3).
There are many good reasons and benefits to joining together as we sing our praises to God. The reason we sing is because God is with us. Singing is the natural out working of the joy we feel when we are filled with the Spirit.
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” - Ephesians 5:18-21
As we grow in the word of the lord, we will also desire to grow in the way we express our praise and worship to Him. As we sing our psalms, hymns and spiritual songs unto God, be sure they are filled with the truth, hope and love of God and all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Be wonderfully blessed!
Nigel