Singing the Word of God
God has given us an inspired hymnbook — the Psalms. Beyond the Psalter, the greatest hymn writers have always drawn deeply from Scripture. A Scripture-saturated song teaches theology while it is sung.
What to Look For
A Scripture-saturated hymn will:
- Quote or paraphrase specific passages — Not just vague biblical themes
- Reference identifiable texts — You can point to chapter and verse
- Use biblical language — The vocabulary of Scripture, not just pop spirituality
- Teach doctrine through narrative — Retelling biblical events and truths
Examples from Our Library
- Metrical Psalms — The Psalter set to meter is the purest example: Psalm 23 ("The Lord's my Shepherd"), Psalm 100 ("All people that on earth do dwell")
- A Mighty Fortress — Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 46
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness — Built on Lamentations 3:22-23
- Joy to the World — Isaac Watts' paraphrase of Psalm 98
Scripture Foundation
- Colossians 3:16 — "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"
- Ephesians 5:19 — "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"