What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 1 Corinthians 14:15
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
How do we sing praise with our spirit? What is the difference between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs?
The Greek word for ‘spirit’ here is πνεῦμα / pneuma / PNYOO-mah. Pneuma appears throughout the New Testament to denote the immaterial realm: the Holy Spirit, the spirit of the individual, angelic beings, demonic forces, and the invisible breath or wind that pictures divine activity (John 3:8). Context alone determines which nuance is intended, yet each usage is organically related, pointing to life, power, and personality beyond the material. (Biblehub)
The Greek word for ‘songs’ here is ᾠδή / ódé / o-day’ meaning a song. 5603 (ōdḗ) is used in the NT of spontaneous, impromptu (unrehearsed) melodies of praise – not merely sung about (for) God but to God from a Spirit-filled heart. Spirit-inspired songs minister to God and exhort others, giving testimony about the living God to other worshipers. (Biblehub)
So ‘spiritual songs’ are from a ‘spirit inspired’ place within our ‘inner most’ being whether it be intelligible or unintelligible in language. Does your spirit ‘sing’? Where exactly does our praise of the Lord begin within us? A real heart felt gratefulness?
What is a psalm? The Greek word here is ψαλμός / psalmos / psal-MOS meaning a set piece of music, i.e. A sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a “psalm”); collectively, the book of the Psalms — psalm. (Biblehub)
What is a hymn? The Greek word here is ὕμνος / humnos / HOOM-nos refers to “hymns,” songs of praise addressed to God. In Scripture the term is always connected to corporate worship and the indwelling word of Christ, highlighting an intentional, theologically rich form of praise distinct from spontaneous song or instrumental music. (Biblehub)
What stands out to me – is the real connection with the Holy Spirit and His inspiration to our own spirit in praise, worship, and the creative grateful singing whether it be in a known language or an unknown one. Humming? Joy bubbling and spilling out of our spirit in a voice / frequency / music. Sometimes joining in with the community of believers who are singing can lift us into the place where our spirit begins to ‘sing’. Can you recognize the difference? Has that experience happened to you? Somehow the music and words touch our soul / heart and we are no longer just going through the motions and just singing words – but something is taking place within us! This is a wonderful and needed time with the Lord AND the family of God. We need to praise Him with our spirit and soul! Lifting our souls and hearts to Him in surrender and gratefulness… in singing.
Father YOU are worthy of ALL our worship! Jesus YOU are worthy of ALL our praise! Holy Spirit – sing within me! Teach me how to follow YOU in worship and praise of Jesus! Release YOUR joy within my soul and spirit! Teach me how to sing!
How does the Holy Spirit move you in this type of experience?
2 thoughts on “Singing in the Spirit with my spirit?”
Good study. Well presented and giving lots of food for thought
It’s hard for me to imagine that there are countless people who do not sing or even pray in the spirit for that matter.
I do love to sing and every Sunday with my church family I pray with them and sing along with them sometimes I may not have heard the song before and ask in prayer for a little help and it does help me to open up my heart and I just begin singing and enjoy the song with everyone.