The PuritanBoard - View Single Post - Rules to be Observed in Singing of Psalms

VirginiaHuguenot · #5 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 04:39 PM

From Archibald Hall, Gospel Worship, Chap. 4:

Quote:

SECTION 5

It remains, that I now lay down some directions for the right performance of this duty of singing God's praise; that we may do it with edification and comfort.

1. Reason, and the nature of the duty, plainly suggest several things, relating to the external manner of managing this service, which I shall barely name: such as, that some regard ought to be had to external harmony, that there may be melody made with our voices, as well as hearts:"”care must be taken, that the tunes sung, and the manner of singing them, be only such as have a tendency to excite spiritual affections:"”in the choice of the tune, some regard should be had to the matter that is sung: and"”such tunes should be ordinarily sung, as the generality of the worshippers can join in; for without this, the end of singing is marred.

2. Every thing intended for scripture-psalmody should be used for that purpose; but prudence should direct us, in secret, family, and public praising, to make a wise choice of what is most seasonable: and therefore, upon public special occasions, we ought to have regard to those providences of God, that his church and people are then under; whether they be humbling or joyful:"”some regard should be had to the other parts of worship with which this duty is joined; that there may be an harmony between one duty and another."”Christians, in their private families, should have regard to their family-state and circumstances, and the particular providences they are under, either in a way of judgment or mercy:"”and private Christians may regard the particular state and present frame of their own souls. But it is a fond partialityof some people, to confine all their attention to some very few psalms that hit their fancy, and to neglect the rest.

3. All the powers of the soul should be summoned to a vigorous exertion in this delightful employment. When David was to bless God, he addressed his soul in these words, "Be stirred up, O my soul, and all that is within me, to bless his holy name." [Ps 103:1] And again, "Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp; I myself will awake early," Ps 57:10. Understanding, affection, and earnestness should mix in performing this heavenly work.

4. Sing praises with understanding, Ps 47:7. Blind devotion cannot please him that dwelleth in light and glory; [1 Tim 6:16] and it does not become the children of light, [Eph 5:8; 1 Thess 5:5] that are made light in the Lord. We should, like the apostle, sing with our understandings, 1 Cor 14:15, if we would honour the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, who are that one God, who condescends to inhabit the praises of Israel.

5. Sing with the spirit, as well as with the understanding, 1 Cor 14:15, "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth," John 4:24 The best of Christians have good reason to join in the prayer of the church; Song 4:16, "Awake, O north wind, and come, thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out: let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." Exalted joy in divine praise is a fruit produced only by the Holy Ghost.

6. This service must be performed unto the Lord: for so he hath commanded, Col 3:16. If it be done, only to be seen, heard, or applauded by men, verily we have all our reward. [Matt 6:2,5,16] We should honour this duty, as a divine institution, and aim at our own and our brethren's edification, in performing it, as an act of obedience, and of homage due to God.

7. Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant, must be interested in our songs. Whatsoever we do in word or deed, we are commanded to do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him, Col 3:17

8. In singing praise, we should make melody in our hearts to the Lord, Eph 5:19. The service is not worth the name of praise, if the melody of the heart be wanting. The voice may be musical and harmonious; but God cannot be honoured without it. When the heart echoes to the matter of the song, and its inmost springs of action are forcibly struck with the influence and excellency of the truth that is sung; this, I apprehend, constitutes the melody of the heart; then it sweetly chimes to the song.

9. Spiritual psalmists sing with grace in their hearts to the Lord, Col 3:16. Hence their hearts are fixed, and their souls are enlarged; their minds are engaged, and their songs are invigorated. Savoury and just sentiments of the grace of God are the most proper means of quickening the Christian to this honourable and delightful work. Under these views his song is swelled with transports of grateful joy, and with big, though humble, expectations of the heavenly city, whose walls are salvation, and whose gates are everlasting, adoring, and ravishing praise; where the cry will never cease, Grace, Grace. "”Amen, Hallelujah.

[Edited on 5-22-2006 by VirginiaHuguenot]