Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

As Paul unfolds the consequences of the filling by means of the Holy Spirit which is commanded in v18, he puts singing Psalms to the Lord in the first place. The meaning of this verse is hotly contested with two very different interpretations prevailing. One interpretation is based upon old methods of interpretation which look to the etymology and use of these Greek terms outside of Scripture and conclude that Paul is referring to three different categories of uninspired songs. A second interpretation which is found throughout the history of the church, yet, which follows a more modern form of interpretation, is to understanding how these three terms are used in Paul and more broadly in Scripture as a whole. The conclusion reached in this sermon is that these three terms are synonyms and represent a sort of rhetorical expansion for the sake of effect. Finally, in the conclusion of the sermon ,application is made first of all to how this text applies to the content of what is to be sung in pubic worship, a couple of common objections against exclusive canonical psalmody are refuted, and an admonition to sing Psalms in the home is made.