Albert Barnes Commentary Colossians 3:16

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God." — Colossians 3:16 (ASV)

Let the word of Christ. The doctrine of Christ.

Dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Abundantly, producing the spirit of true wisdom. That doctrine is adapted to make you wise. The meaning is, that they were to store up the doctrines of the gospel in their hearts, meditate on them, allow them to be their guide, and to endeavor wisely to improve them for the best purpose.

Teaching and admonishing, and so on. This is further explained in the commentary on Ephesians 5:19-20.

The only additional thought here is that their psalms and hymns were to be regarded as a method of "teaching" and "admonishing"; that is, they were to be imbued with truth and be such as to elevate the mind and withdraw it from error and sin.

Dr. Johnson once said, that if he were allowed to make the ballads of a nation, he did not care who made the laws. It is true, in a more important sense, that one who is permitted to make the hymns of a church needs to care little who preaches or who makes the creed. This person will more effectually mold the sentiments of a church than those who preach or make creeds and confessions. Therefore, it is indispensable for the preservation of the truth that the sacred songs of a church should be imbued with sound evangelical sentiment.