THE Hymn Book OF THE Free Church of England. BIBL LONDON: AYLOTT & SON, 97, ST. PAUL'S ROAD, ISLINGT S. W. PARTRIDGE, 9, PATERNOSTER ROW. 147. g. 120. PREFACE. : THE first act of worship in this world was Praise when God made the world, "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy"— "So sung they; and the empyrean rung With Hallelujahs: thus was Sabbath kept." At what time song was married to music,66 verse to voice," and when both were first used in the worship of Almighty God, are events long lost in a far-distant antiquity. But it is known that musical instruments were used in the family of Adam. Jubal, his fifth descendant, was celebrated as "the father of all such as handle the harp and organ." The Old Testament worship was greatly beautified and enriched by a most influential and impressive Psalmody. In the Temple, "the sons of Jeduthun" and others were set apart, "under the hands of their fathers, to prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord." These "were for song in the house of the Lord," for "the service of the house of God;" so that "the number of them that were instructed in the songs of the Lord was two hundred four score and eight." But to this large number was added a still greater. There were "four thousand Levites who praised the Lord, with instruments, which King David made." These had to serve the house of God ordinarily, according to their appointed courses, but on grand occasions were all united in one service. What a magnificent choir to lead God's chosen people, the congregation of the children of Israel, in their solemn assemblies! "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; so that the priests could not stand to minister even by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God."* "And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."+ It is probable the Church of God has never * 2 Chron. v. 13, 14. +2 Chron. vi. 3 |