Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
The New Testament psalm of love, as the 45th Psalm (see its title) and Canticles in the Old Testament. While Paul's chief theme is faith, he handles love also with the unction of the beloved disciple.
Tongues. From these he ascends to "prophecy" (1 Corinthians 13:2); then to "faith;" then to benevolent and self-sacrificing deeds: a climax. He passes from addressing them (1 Corinthians 12:31) to putting the case in his own person - "Though I." etc. "speak with the tongues" - with the eloquence so much admired at Corinth (e.g., Apollos, Acts 18:24: cf. 1 Corinthians 1:12) and with the command of various languages, which some abused to mere ostentation, 1 Corinthians 14:2, etc.)
Of angels - higher than "men;" therefore speaking a more exalted language.
Charity - the principal of the ordinary and more important gift of the Spirit, contrasted with the extraordinary, (1 Corinthians 12:1-31.)
Sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal - sound without soul: such are "tongues" without charity.
Cymbal. Two kinds are noticed, Psalms 150:5 - the loud or clear and the high sounding: hand cymbals and finger cymbals, or castagnets. The sound is sharp stud piercing.