Ephesians 5:15-21 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

Bible Comments

(15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (21) В¶ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

I think it important to remark, on what the Apostle saith, concerning Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, that he evidently means, all such, as are in the word of God. It is not to be supposed, that the Holy Ghost prohibits the use of all others. But it is to be supposed, that the Lord the Spirit draws a strong line of distinction, between the Psalms and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the inspired writings of Holy Scripture; and the uninspired songs, or hymns, of the most godly men whatever. We may speak to ourselves, and to one another in words, which tend to godly edification. But, when we speak to the Lord, we cannot be too careful to use the Lord's own words. Hosea 14:2. By the Psalms, are meant those, which go under the general name of David's Psalms, though some of them were written by other persons. By Hymns, are meant, such as are also scriptural. Jesus sung an hymn, it is said, before he went to the garden. And we have many spiritual songs in the word of God. The Song of Moses, Deborah, Hannah, etc. are of this kind.

Ephesians 5:15-21

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.