[B-Greek] Re: Eph5/19 : Songs

Steve Puluka steve at puluka.com
Wed Jan 12 10:24:00 EST 2005


Loic Vandeventer wrote:
 > Hi, in the following verse (Eph 5/19) LALOUNTES EAUTOIS YALMOIS KAI
 > UMNOIS KAI WDAIS PNEUMATIKAIS ADONTES KAI YALLONTES TH KARDIA UMWN TW
 > KURIW
 >
 > we find a few vocabulary about songs. Does it exist any explanation
 > about the differences between these words at the times of Paul ? -
 > YALMOIS (Psaum ...) - UMNOIS (Hymns ...) - WDAIS (Odes ...) To which
 > kinds of songs these words refer ?

These three terms have specific reference in eastern church music
tradition.  Naturally, how early these distinctions can be understood 
would be a matter of considerable debate.  But here goes:

YALMOIS-are Psalms from the Psalter

WDAIS-are biblical odes from scripture and the later the liturgical 
compositions that are loosely  based on these odes.  One finds these 
biblical odes collected in Psalters in the east.  They are sung as part 
of matins.  Originally the biblical odes were sung but over time 
liturgical compositions of new odes replaced them for each feast and 
time of the liturgical year.  These new compositions would incorporate 
both the commemoration of the period and some aspect of the biblical 
ode.  I have a list of the nine biblical odes on my Psalter page on my 
website.  http://www.puluka.com/psalter

UMNOIS-are composed songs used in other parts of liturgical services, 
mostly vespers and matins.  They are usually, but not always sung with 
introductory verses from the Psalms interspersed.  These are composed 
for particular commemorations on the calander for the day and rotate in 
the services.  They have no reference to prior biblical poetry as a 
requirement like to odes.  But they often contain biblical references by 
allusion.

The entries on these terms in Lampe's "Patristic Greek Lexicon" have a 
number of patristic citations you can chase down if you're interested in 
tracking these terms in the post biblical period.

-- 
Steve Puluka
Masters Student, SS Cyril & Methodius Seminary
Cantor, Holy Ghost Church, Mckees Rocks PA
http://www.puluka.com




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