Tranflated and diligently compared with the Original TEXT and former Translations: More plain, fmooth, and agreeable to the TEXT, than any heretofore: Allowed by the Authority of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the KIRK of SCOTLAND, and appointed to be Sung in CONGREGATIONS and FAMILIES: WITH NOTES, EXHIBITING THE CONNEXION, AND FOR DIRECTING and ANIMATING the DEVOTION: BY JOHN BROWN, -I will Sing with the SPIRIT, and I will Sing with the UNDERSTANDING alfo, 1 Cor. xiv. 15. FALKIRK: PRINTED AND SOLD BY PATRICK MAIR. MDCCXCIII. No part of the Chriftian Worthip is more, plainly warranted by the Oracles of God, than the Ordinance of Singing of Pfalms. The ancient Hebrews practifed it, at the Red Sea, before their fyftem of ceremonial worship was prefcribed them by God, Exod. xv. It was preferred to the moft pompous facrifices, even while the ceremonial obfervances remained in their vigour, Pfalm Ixix. 30, 31. The divine obligation to it, remained in full force, when the ceremonial law, with all its rites, was abolished, Pfalis xlvii. 1. 5, 6, 7. lxvii. 4.1 c. 1. 4. Eph. v. 19. with ii. 14, 5. Col. ii. 16. with . 16, 17. James v. 13. We have it enforced with the most engaging example of the Angels who kept their firft eftate, Job xxxviii. 6, 7. Luke ii. 13, 14. Rev. V. 11, 12. Of Apoftles and Saints, Acts xvi. 25. Jer. xxxi. Sam. ii. and v. Nay, 1 Cor. xiv. 15. Ifa. XXXV. 10. 12. Rev. iv. 8, 9 9, 10. vii. 10. 12. xiv. 3. xv. 3. xix. 1,—7. of our Redeemer himself, Matth. xxvi. 30. This Exercise, performed in a manner suited to the dignity of the glorified State, will be the everlasting employ of established angels and ranfomed men, Ifa. xxvi. 19. li. гI. Rev. v. 9,-13. The Nor is this exercise of inconfiderable usefulnefs. whole glories of JEHOVAH, as made known to creatures, and all the wonders of his creating power, his redeeming love, and providential care, Belonging to its extenfive theme, it is an excellent means of conveying holy inftructions, Col. iii. 16. of infpiring heavenly affections, Pfalm. lvii. 7, 8. of recreating holy fouls, James v. 13. and, in fine, of bearing up and comforting amidst grief and trouble, Acts xvi. 25. Pfalm cxix. 54.; and hence it is feasonable, not only in this valley of tears, but even in the most distressful condition, Pfalm ci. 1. Hab. iii. 17, 18. It is a duty, which ought to be practifed by every perfon in fecret by himself, James v. 13. Pfalm cxix. 62. 164. By every Chriftian family and fociety, Pfalm cxviii. 15. Acts xvi. 25.-And in every public worshipping affembly and congregation, Ifa. xxxv. 1, 2. 6. 10. and lii. 7, 8. 9. and liv. 1. Eph. v. 19. Col. iii. 16. Mat. xxvi. 30. 1 Cor. xiv. 26. Rev. v. 9, ro. xiv. 3. xv. 3. This duty being of fo much importance, we ought to perform it. Under the special influence of the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. xiv. 15. John iv. 24.- With understanding of the warrantablenefs, matter, manner, and end of our praife, Pfalm xlvii. 6, 7. 1 Cor. xiv. 15.—With an holy ardour of affection and vigour of mind, Pfalm lvii. 10. and ciii. 1, 20- -With grace in our heart, making melody therein, to the Lord, Eph. v. 19. Col. iii, 16. — In the name of Chrift as Mediator between God and us, Col. iii. 16, 17. 1 Pet. ii. 5.-and, With an earnest aim to glorify God, Col. iii. 16. Peter iv. 11. The matter ought to be prudently fuited to our occafions and conditions, Pfalm exii. 5. Eph. v. 15. Nor ought the melody, or, in fecial worship, the barmony, of voices. to be overlooked, Pfalm el. --- 1 Cor. X. 31. No doubt, one may compofe fpiritual hymns for his own and others religious recreation: But, to admit Forms of human compofure into the ftated and public worship of God, appears to me very improper, (1) It is extremely dangerous. Here fies and errors, by this means, may, and often have been very infenfibly introduced into churches, congregations, or families. (2) There is no need of it. The Holy Ghoft hath in the Pfalms of David, and other Scriptural fongs, furnished us with fuch a rich collection of gofpel doctrines and precious promifes;an extenfive fund of folid experiences;-an exhaustless mine of Gofpel-Grace and Truth;- an endlefs variety to fuit every ftate or condition, in which, either our own foul, or the Church of Christ, can be, upon earth. There were framed by him, who fearcheth the hearts, and knows the deep things of God; and hence must be better adapted to the cafe of fouls or focieties, than any private compofition whatever. (3) Though the Holy Ghoft never faw meet to leave us a Liturgy of prayers; yet, from the poetical compofition thereof, it is plain, he intended thefe Pfalms and Songs for a fianding form of Praife in the Church. It is certain, they were fed in this manner under the Old Teftament. The Holy Ghoft hath under the New plainly directed us to the ufe hereof, Col. iii. 16. Eph. v. 19. The Psalms, HYMNS, and fpiritual SONGS, there recommended, are plainly the fame with the MIZMORIM, TEHILLIM and SHIRIM, mentioned in the Hebrew titles of David's Pfalmıs, iii. iv. v, &c. cxly, cxx,—cxxxiv. It hath been pretended, the language and manner of › thefe Pfalms are not suited to the fpiritual nature of our Gofpel-Worship. That, however, may as well be urged against the reading of them, as against the finging of. them. Nay, against the reading of a great part of the Old Teftament in our Chriftian-Worship. It is certain, many paflages in the Book of Pfalms, or of other Scripture-Songs, are expreffive of the exercises of faith, repentance, love, or the like graces, which still remain of the fame form, as under the Old Testament. The pre dictions are either accomplished, and fo may be fung to the honour of God's mercy and faithfulness; or, if not accomplished, may be fung in the hopes, that God will accomplish them in his time. The hiftory, of what God did for his Jewish Servants and Church, may be fung with admiration of his love, wisdom, power and grace therein manifefted. It is further to be confidered, that much of what related to David, or the Jewish Church, was typical of the Character and Concerns of Jefus Chrift and the Gospel-Church; and so ought to be sung with a fpecial application thereto. As for thefe Pfalms, which contain DENUNCIATIONS Of Divine vengeance upon the enemies of God and his Church, we are to confider, that thefe expreffions were dictated by the infallible Spirit of God; that the objects of them were foreseen to be irreconcileable enemies of Chrift and his Church; that thofe who fing them, only applaud the equity of the doom, which God hath juftly pronounced upon fuch offenders; and that they are to be fung with a full perfuafion of the event, as a certain, awful and juft difplay of the glory and tremendous justice of JEHOVAH. Though we ought, therefore, never to apply them to particular parties or perfons who have injured. us; yet to decline ufing them, out of a pretence of chasity, is to fuppofe ourselves wifer than Him, whofe under |