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Colossians 3 · a question people ask

"teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (3:16). What are they, and which songs are meant?

In the text

The verse doesn't say. It names the three side by side: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord." (3:16). It doesn't say what each is, which songs are meant, or how they were sung. These notes don't say either, and apply the verse to the singing of no gathering today.

The verses

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Colossians 3

Colossians 3: Seek the things that are above

Colossians 3 doesn't only say "seek the things that are above" (3:1). It goes on, "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (3:3). And of all it tells them to put on, it sets one above the rest: "Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection." (3:14).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions