Ephesians 5:19 kjv
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Ephesians 5:19 nkjv
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:19 niv
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:19 esv
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
Ephesians 5:19 nlt
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
Ephesians 5 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 5:18-20 | "...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart..." | Paul's instruction on Spirit-filled life |
| Col 3:16 | "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing thanksgivings in your hearts to God." | Parallel passage on singing |
| Acts 16:25 | "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." | Example of singing in adversity |
| 1 Cor 14:15 | "What then am I to do? I will give thanks with my spirit, but I will also give thanks with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." | Singing with understanding |
| Rev 5:9 | "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you purchased for us for God..." | Heavenly worship and singing |
| Rev 14:3 | "and they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth." | Redeemed singing to God |
| Ps 95:1 | "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" | Call to joyful worship |
| Ps 98:1 | "Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory." | Praising God for victory |
| Ps 100:1-2 | "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" | Universal call to praise |
| Ps 105:2 | "Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!" | Commending God's works |
| Isa 12:5 | "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth." | Proclaiming God's glory |
| Rom 15:9 | "...and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.'" | Gentiles glorifying God |
| Heb 13:15 | "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." | Sacrifice of praise |
| Acts 2:47 | "...praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." | Early church worship |
| Phil 2:14 | "Do all things without grumbling or disputing..." | Implied conduct during worship |
| James 5:13 | "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." | Singing in joy and suffering |
| Ps 67:4 | "May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations on earth." | Nations rejoicing in God's justice |
| Jer 33:11 | "...the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, ‘Thank the LORD of hosts, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’..." | Voice of gladness and thanksgiving |
| Ps 147:7 | "Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!" | Thankful melody |
| 1 Sam 16:23 | "And whenever the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved of it, and it would go well with him." | Music's effect on spirits |
| John 4:24 | "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." | Spiritual worship |
Ephesians 5 verses
Ephesians 5 19 Meaning
Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Making melody with your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5 19 Context
This verse is part of Paul's exhortation to believers in Ephesians chapter 5. It follows his instruction for believers to "be filled with the Spirit" (v. 18). The immersion in and filling by the Holy Spirit has direct results on one's speech and worship. Paul contrasts this with the excesses of foolish talk and drunkenness (v. 18), which characterized the gentile life the Ephesians had left behind. Instead of revelry that leads to debauchery, the Spirit-filled life is characterized by spiritual expression through music and heartfelt devotion to God. This directive also comes within a broader section about how believers should live, walking wisely, understanding God's will, and living as children of light (v. 15-17), contrasting with the foolishness of the world. The surrounding verses also discuss mutual submission in marriage and how believers should conduct themselves towards each other in Christ, fostering a community of worship and mutual edification.
Ephesians 5 19 Word Analysis
- καὶ (kai): And. A conjunction used to connect words, clauses, or sentences, indicating addition or continuation.
- λαλοῦντες (lalountes): Speaking. Present active participle from
laleo, which means to speak, talk, converse. It emphasizes continuous or repeated action. This signifies active verbal communication. - ἑαυτοῖς (heautois): To one another/yourselves. Reflexive pronoun in the dative case, referring back to the subject, indicating reciprocal action among believers.
- ψαλμοῖς (psalmois): Psalms. Dative plural of
psalmos. Refers to sacred songs, hymns accompanied by stringed instruments (like the Old Testament psalms), but in the New Testament often includes hymns and spiritual songs generally. - ᾠδαῖς (ōdais): Hymns. Dative plural of
ōde. Refers to songs or odes, often those with a more formal or celebratory structure. - πνευματικαῖς (pneumatikais): Spiritual. Dative plural feminine adjective from
pneumatikos. Describes the nature of the songs – originating from or pertaining to the Holy Spirit, not mere human compositions but divinely inspired or Spirit-directed expressions. - ᾄδοντες (adontes): Singing. Present active participle from
ado, to sing. Implies joyful and musical utterance. - καὶ (kai): And.
- ἐν (en): In. Preposition often indicating sphere or location. Here, it can mean "in" or "from" the heart.
- τῇ (tē): The. Definite article, feminine singular dative.
- καρδίᾳ (kardia): Heart. Dative singular of
kardia. The inner person, the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and spiritual life. This highlights that the singing is not superficial but arises from a transformed inner being. - ὑμνεῖτε (hymneite): You sing/make melody. Second person plural present active imperative of
hymneo. This verb specifically means to sing praise, to hymn, to celebrate. The imperative mood indicates a command or exhortation. Some manuscripts render it as a participle, parallel to "speaking" and "singing." In the context of "making melody," the sense is actively offering praise. - τῷ (tō): The. Definite article, masculine singular dative.
- Κυρίῳ (Kuriō): Lord. Dative singular of
kurios. Refers to Jesus Christ as the sovereign Master and God.
Word Group Analysis:
- "speaking to one another": This phrase highlights community and mutual encouragement within the body of Christ through shared song and expression.
- "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs": This categorizes different forms of worshipful singing. "Psalms" often relates to responsive or liturgical singing, "hymns" to more structured praise, and "spiritual songs" to spontaneous or inspired utterances flowing from the Spirit.
- "singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart": This combines the act of singing with the source and focus of the singing. "Making melody" (
psallo) suggests accompanied music but importantly, "with your heart" indicates it must be an inward, sincere, and God-directed offering. The imperative verb suggests a volitional act of praising.
Ephesians 5 19 Bonus Section
The concept of making melody with the heart aligns with the Old Testament emphasis on the heart in worship (Ps 51:17). It underscores that true worship is not merely outward ritual but an inward reality emanating from a devoted heart, sanctified and moved by the Holy Spirit. The "spiritual songs" particularly point to the charismata (gifts of the Spirit) mentioned elsewhere, suggesting that inspired prophecy and spontaneous spiritual expression were part of early Christian worship, alongside traditional hymns and psalms. This directive implies a contrast with empty, distracting, or unedifying speech, as previously mentioned in Ephesians 5:4.
Ephesians 5 19 Commentary
The verse instructs believers to engage in communal worship through varied forms of song, all rooted in the Holy Spirit's filling and directed towards God. This is not just entertainment or a performance; it is a vital expression of the believer's inner life, a testimony to God’s worth. The use of different types of songs—psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—suggests a comprehensive approach to worship that can encompass responsive readings, pre-composed praises, and Spirit-led utterances. The crucial element is the source: the heart, animated by the Spirit. It's a heartfelt outpouring of praise and thanksgiving directed specifically "to the Lord." This practice is intended for mutual edification within the community of faith, fostering spiritual connection and communal adoration.
- Practical Application: Believers are encouraged to actively participate in congregational singing, ensuring it's done with sincere emotion and understanding, not just as a routine. It also speaks to personal devotion, where individuals might sing praises privately, drawing strength and expressing gratitude to God. This communal and personal expression should aim to encourage fellow believers and to glorify God Himself.