Verse 19
Paul referred to four of the many results of Spirit filling. He set them forth as participles, but they virtually amount to imperatives in their force. All four deal with praise, and all are public rather than private activities. "Psalms" refers to the Old Testament psalms that the Christians as well as the Jews used in their worship. "Hymns" were songs that eulogized some person or god in Greek culture and the true God in Christian worship (Ephesians 5:14). "Spiritual songs" is a general term that probably covers all other kinds of vocal praise. When God controls us, we are joyful. [Note: See Steven R. Guthrie, "Singing, in the Body and in the Spirit," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 46:4 (December 2003):633-46.]
In addition to communicating with one another using the means already described, Christians should also use these means to communicate with the Lord. Praise should spring from the heart, not just the lips. "Singing" refers to vocal praise, and "making melody with your heart" implies inaudible praise.
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