was a distinction between them as there is still. A psalm was, agreeably to the etymology of the word ψαλμός, a song designed to be sung with the accom- paniment of instrumental music. 2. It.was one of the sacred poems contained in the book of Psalms, as in Acts 18, 33, ἐν τῷ ψαλμῳ τῷ δευτέρῳ, in the second Psalm ; and Acts 1, 20, ἐν βίβλῳ ψαλμῶν, in the book of Psalms. 3. Any sacred poem formed on the model of the Old Testament Psalms, as in 1 Cor. 14, 26, where ψαλμόν appears to mean such a song given by inspira- tion, and not one of the psalms of David. A Hymn was a song of praise to God; a divine song. Arrran, Exped. Alex. 4, ὕμνοι μὲν ἐς τοὺς ϑεοὺς ποιοῦνται, ἔπαινοι δὲ ἐς ἀνθρώπους. Ammon. de differ. vocbl. 6 μὲν yap ὕμνος ἔστι Seay, TO δὲ ἐγκώμιον τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Puavor. ὕμνος: ἡ πρὸς ϑεὸν ὠδή. Such being the general meaning of the word, Josephus uses it of those Psalms which were songs of praise to God: 6 Aavidos ὠδὰς εἰς τὸν Θεὸν καὶ ὕμνους συνετάξατο, Ant. 7. 12, 3. Psalms and hymns then, as now, were religious songs ; ὠδαί were religious or secular, and therefore those here intended are described as spiritual. This may mean either inspired, i. 6. derived from the Spirit; or ex- pressing spiritual thoughts and feelings. This latter is the more probable; as not only inspired men are said to be filled with the Spirit, but all those who in their ordinary thoughts and feelings are governed by the Holy Ghost.
Singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord. If this clause be considered as codrdinate with the
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preceding, then it refers to a different kind of singing. The former expressed by λαλοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς is singing audibly, the latter by ἄδοντες ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ is the music of the heart, the rhythm of the affections not clothed in words. In favour of this view, which is adopted by several of the best modern commentators, as Harless, Riickert, Olshausen, and Meyer, it is urged that the apostle says, ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν and not simply ἐκ καρ- dias, from the heart; and that the pronoun ὑμῶν, your, would be unnecessary, had he meant only that the singing was to be cordial. Besides, the singing here referred to is that of those filled with the Spirit, and therefore the caution that it should not be a mere lip service is out of place. Notwithstanding these reasons, the great majority of commentators make this clause subordinate to the preceding and descriptive of the kind of singing required, “ You are to commence with each in Psalms and Hymns, singing in your heart.” Comp. Rom. 1, 9, where the apostle says: ᾧ λατρεύω (not ἐκ πνεύματος but) ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου, whom LI serve in my spirit, and 1 Cor. 14,15. There is no sufficient reason for departing from the ordinary view of the passage.
ἄδοντες καὶ ψάλλοντες, singing and making melody, are two forms of expressing the same thing. The lat- ter term is the more comprehensive; as aidew is to make music with the voice; ψάλλειν, to make music in any way ; literally, to play on a stringed instrument; then, to sing in concert with such an instrument ; then,
to sing or chant. See 1 Cor. 14, 15; James 5, 13; Rom. 15, 9. 20