APPENDIX B.
James Dodson
The correspondent “S. D.” of the Presbyterian—from whom we have taken some facts in regard to the hymns now in use, but without intending to
PSALMS—ALL SONGS. 233
endorse all his theories—denies that the Psalms were all intended to be sung, even under the Old Testament dispensation; of course, while he finds fault with the hymnology of the age, he also denies the appointment of the Book of Psalms, as a whole, for the use of the church in New Testament times; quoting as his only authority—for he gives no argument—Dr. Davidson of England. We also can give authorities much superior in their character to that of a writer who was obliged to relinquish, on account of his Rationalistic views on the subject of Inspiration, the position which he had long held as Professor in the Lancashire Independent Theological Seminary.
Dr. J. W. Alexander, speaking of the Psalms, says, “all intended to be used in public worship.”
Tholuck, a comparatively orthodox German, (Introduction, p. 2,) “The Psalms have ever since the first century, formed an essential part of Christian worship.”
Herder, another of the same stamp, says of the Book of Psalms, “It is the hymn book for all times.”
Edwards, the most eminent theologian of the Western world, in a passage from which we have quoted already, but which we give here in full, is most express. He says,—
“Another thing God did towards this work, at
234 APPENDIX.
that time, was his inspiring David to show forth Christ and his redemption, in divine songs, which should be for the use of the church, in public worship, throughout all ages. * * * This was also a glorious advancement of the affair of redemption, as God hereby gave his church a book of divine songs for their use in that part of their public worship, viz., singing his praises throughout all ages to the end of the world. It is manifest the book of Psalms was given of God for this end. It was used in the church of Israel by God’s appointment: this is manifest by the title of many of the Psalms, in which they are inscribed to the chief musician, i. e., to the man that was appointed to be the leader of divine songs in the temple, in the public worship of Israel. So David is called the sweet Psalmist of Israel, because he penned psalms for the use of the church of Israel; and accordingly we have an account that they were actually made use of in the church of Israel for that end, even ages after David was dead; as 2 Chron. xxix. 30. ‘Moreover, Hezekiah the king, and the princes, commanded the Levites to sing praises unto the Lord, with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer.’ And we find that the same are appointed in the New Testament to be made use of in the Christian church in their worship. Eph. v. 19: ‘Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.’ Col. iii. 16: ‘Admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.’ So they have been, and will, to the end of the world, be made use of in the church to celebrate the praises of God. The people of God were wont sometimes to worship God by singing songs to his praise before; as they did
AUTHORS OF HYMNS. 235
at the Red Sea; and they had Moses’ prophetical song, in the 32d chapter of Deuteronomy, committed to them for that end; and Deborah, Barak, and Hannah, sung praises to God: but now first did God commit to his church a book of divine songs for constant use.”