Now his elder son was out in the field, and as he came near the house he heard music and dancing;

Inanimate instruments, such as the flute or the harp, may give a sound, but if no intervals occur in their music, how can one make out the air that is being played either on flute or on harp?

converse with one another in the music of psalms, in hymns, and in songs of the spiritual life, praise the Lord heartily with words and music,

Let the inspiration of Christ dwell in your midst with all its wealth of wisdom; teach and train one another with the music of psalms, with hymns, and songs of the spiritual life; praise God with thankful hearts.