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"I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the under-
standing also."-1 Cor. xiv. 15.

Sixth Edition.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY THOMAS HOLLIDAY,
CONFERENCE OFFICES AND BOOK-ROOM, SUTTON-STREET,
COMMERCIAL-ROAD, ST. GEORGE'S-IN-THE-EAST.

1848.

[ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.]

THE singing service, or service of song, is used, in scripture, to set forth the praises of God to record his wondrous works, and make known his goodness and loving kindness to the children of men; it is used also for reproof, correction, admonition, and instruction in righteousness.

On the Service of Song in the Old Testament.

The first service of this kind, of which we have any knowledge, is recorded in Job, xxxviii. 6, 7, where the Lord himself informs us, that when he laid the foundations of the earth, "The morning-stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." This shows us that there was joy in heaven when creation first arose; and when God makes a new creation in the hearts of sinners, there is joy both in heaven and on earth. In Luke, xv. 7, our Lord speaks of joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth; and on earth, the children of God rejoice in the work of the Lord. On such occasions, they might say, as in hymn 20,

"Thee, in thy glorious realms, they praise,
And bow before thy throne !

We, in the kingdom of thy grace;

The kingdoms are but one.'

When the Lord brought the children of Israel out of Egypt with a high hand and an outstretched arm, and through the red sea, on dry ground, they raised a song of triumph unto the Lord, saying, "I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously." Exod. xv. When the nation thus sung unto the Lord, their united voices would sound like the voice of many waters.

When Moses had nearly finished his course, and before he went up to the top of Pisgah to view the land and die, he, by the Eternal Spirit, delivered a song for correction, exhortation, and instruction in righteousness: and said "My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew." Deut. xxxii. 2.

In the times of the judges, when the Lord wrought out a mighty deliverance by the hand of Deborah and Barak, they raised a song unto the Lord, saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when

the people willingly offered themselves." Judges, v.2. When David rose up to be the sweet psalmist of Israel, he, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, composed many psalms unto the Lord, which have been a blessing to the children of God, from generation to generation. He also set the singing service in order, and appointed Levites over the service of song in the house of the Lord. 1 Chron. vi. 31.

David being seated on the throne of Israel, prepared a place for the ark of God, and brought it up with great joy. The singers, Heman, Asaph, and Jeduthan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass. Others had psalteries and harps. Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song. The trumpets were blown before the ark of God, and all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, &c. 1 Chron. xv. And when David had nearly finished his earthly course, he delivered a psalm of praise unto the Lord, saying, "Blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen." Ps. lxxii. 19.

After David was gathered to his fathers, the Lord raised Solomon his son to the throne of Israel, appointed him to build him an house, and gave him wisdom beyond any that were before him. " And when Solomon and all Israel dedicated the temple, the singers were set in order, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets. And it came to pass as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God." 2 Chron. v. 12---14.

The singers, on some occasions, had to undertake important enterprizes; and their faith was fully tried when Jehoshaphat appointed them unto the Lord, to praise the beauty of holiness, and face the enemy, marching before the army when on the point of entering into battle. But faith prevailed; for when they began to sing and praise, (and the army, no doubt, joined in with them,) then the Lord wrought out a great deliverance. 2 Chron. xx. 21, 22.

When Joash was raised up to the throne of Israel, Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of the

Lord, to offer the burnt-offerings of the Lord with rejoicing and singing. 2 Chron. xxiii. 18.

The pious king Hezekiah, when raised to the throne, restored the worship of the Lord, and commanded to offer the burnt-offerings upon the altar. And when the burnt-offerings began, the song of the Lord began also. And all the congregations worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpets sounded, and all this continued until the burnt-offering was finished. 2 Chron. xxix. 27, 28.

In the reign of Zedekiah, the children of Israel were carried away captive; and by the rivers of Babylon they sat down and wept, and hanged their harps upon the willows. For there they that carried them away captive, required a song. But their thought was, "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land." Psal. cxxxvii. 1---4.

But when the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, their mouth was filled with laughter and their tongue with singing. And when the foundation of the temple was laid, they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever unto Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid; and the noise was heard afar off." Ezra. iii. 11---13.

After this, when Nehemiah had raised up the ruins of Jerusalem, they kept the dedication of the wall with gladness, with thanksgivings, and with singings. Nehe. xii. 27.

Throughout the Old Testament, the service of song formed an eminent part in the worship of God. It was also employed in giving reproof, correction, admonition, and instruction, in righteousness. The Lord raised up Moses, David, Asaph, and the holy prophets, who by the Eternal Spirit, composed songs and psalms unto the Lord; and wrote them for instruction, for celebrating the holy worship of Jehovah, and to be a blessing to the children of God in all ages.

On the Service of Song in the New Testament.

In the fullness of time, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea; and there was in the same country, shepherds watching over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and

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