The Word in Song / David Jeremiah

 

The Word in Song 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    “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is a famous hymn written by the Protestant reformer Martin Luther. The first line of the hymn—“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing”—is likely based on Scriptures like Psalm 46:7, 11 and Psalm 91:1-2—verses which speak of God as a fortress.

Recommended Reading: Colossians 1: 15 – 20

Luther’s hymn is an example of many throughout Church history that teach biblical truth through song. The book of Psalms was a type of hymnbook for Israel, but the practice of composing spiritual songs did not end with the Old Testament. New Testament scholars find remnants of early Christian hymns embedded in passages like Ephesians 5:14; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-20; and 1 Timothy 3:16. Just as we memorize popular songs today by hearing them played over and over, we can also memorize biblical truths by the repeated singing of hymns and spiritual songs. Consider purchasing a hymnal to use in your devotions to familiarize yourself with the riches of God’s Word as recorded in hymns of the Church. Thy Word is like a glorious choir, and loud its anthems ring. Edwin Hodder