Edward Bickersteth: Christian Psalmody, 2nd edn 1841; Title-page & Preface, transcribed from a copy in St Deiniol's Library
(Title-page)
A
COLLECTION OF ABOVE 900
PSALMS, HYMNS,
AND
SPIRITUAL SONGS;
SELECTED AND ARRANGED
FOR
PUBLIC, SOCIAL, FAMILY, AND PRIVATE WORSHIP
BY THE
REV. EDWARD BICKERSTETH
RECTOR OF WATTON, HERTS
[ quotations from Ps.22:5 and Col.3:16 ]
ENLARGED EDITION
HUNDRED AND NINETY-FOURTH THOUSAND
[ London, n.d. (Preface dated October, 1841) ]
---------------
TO
HIS RESPECTED DIOSCESAN,
THE RIGHT REV.
JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN
THIS COLLECTION
OF
PSALMS AND HYMNS
IS,
WITH HIS LORDSHIP'S PERMISSION,
INSCRIBED
BY HIS FAITHFUL AND OBLIGED
SERVANT,
THE EDITOR.
_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._
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The very extended circulation which the Christian Psalmody has obtained induced the Publisher to request that the Author would endeavour to make it still more generally useful by adding about one hundred fresh Psalms and Hymns, on subjects not sufficiently noticed before. These additions and some slight alterations, and three or four omissions of Hymns, and of parts of Hymns, and additional verses to others, have been so made that the former editions will retain their usefulness, and the new edition will continue to supplied at the same rate as previously. The additions are sold separately at the lowest rate.
REASONS FOR THIS COLLECTION. - The increase of valuable hymns is a refreshing sign of our times, and furnish a reason for compiling a fresh collection. The advantage of having many preceding labourers has, it is hoped, enabled the Compiler to combine in one volume several of the various improvements in Hymn Books, and to give some of the most generally useful of recent hymns.
But he can truly say, that it was with fear and trembling that he went on with this work, feeling the awful responsibility of seeking to direct the devotions of the Church of Christ, in some of the highest and sweetest acts of fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ, and the danger of sentiments in any hymns that might leave an unscriptural impression on the mind. Let all be tried by the Divine word, and may the sprinkling of the blood of Christ obtain pardon for every thing not done according to the Divine mind.
OBJECTS DESIGNED. - It was the Editor's wish, in compiling the present collection, -
1. - To bring both Psalms and Hymns under one arrangement, so as to preserve the unity of the whole book, and dyet intersperse the fuller light of the New testament with the rich experience of the sweet Psalmist of Israel.
2. - To classify them so as to assist in readily finding those suitable for any required occasion.
3. - To furnish a sufficient supply of hymns for the varied circumstances of public, social, family, and private worship, printed in a good type, and at as cheap a rate as practicable.
4. - To prefix a text of Scripture, embodying the leading idea of the hymn, that might direct the reader to the clearer and fuller light of the Word of God (the only infallible truth and sure warrant of faith), and also might assist ministers in appointing hymns adapted to their discourses.
5. - To give full tables and indexes of the first lines, the scriptures, and the subjects; with the table of those which might be taken for every Sunday and holy day in the service of the Church of England through the year, and a table to assist in choosing appropriate tunes. In the tale of first lines the name of the original author, where known, has been inserted.
Alterations in the hymns were occasionally necessary, either to correct an unscriptural or a harsh expression. Many have been made that an impression not according to the general bearing of evangelical truth might not be left on the mind; an impression calculated to lead either to self- complacency, or to confidence in a method of salvation not wholly of grace, or to needless despondency.
Considerable hesitation was felt in giving the names of the authors of the hymns; partly from the desire that the one name of Christ should only be known; partly from the fear that it might be a hindrance to devotional feeling to find a name attached as author to a hymn with which prejudice was either justly or unjustly connected, and partly as alterations have sometimes been made in the hymns, which would lead the author to disown them.
But while the name of Jesus is alone to be exalted, he bears the names of his people on his breast, and they are graven on the palms of his hands. It was to the Compiler peculiarly delightful to bring together so many names of the followers of Christ, of varies ages, denominations, powers, and rank, all combined in accomplishing the one blessed result, the exultation of the one God and Father of all, the one Lord and Saviour, and the one Spirit, the Comforter, and to furnish the one Church bought with the blood of Christ, with an earthly help to the sweetest earthly, or rather heavenly, employment of the Church here below. The prejudice to which allusion has been made, if just, need not interfere with our profit in the use of a hymn truly valuable in itself; and if unjust, the sooner it is dispelled the better, and may the hymns here give help to dispel all such prejudices.
FARTHER HYMNS WANTED. - The Church of Christ in this country might yet be greatly enriched by fresh hymns, and the following remarks are added, in the hope of calling attention to the increasing the stores of Christian Psalmody. There are those living who, with the Divine blessing, might greatly help to supply our deficiencies. We still want a closer version than we have of the Psalms, bringing out their testimony to the Saviour's trials, conflicts, and triumphs, the temptations and experience of individual Christians, and the warfare and deliverances of the Church and its ultimate glories, the restoration of the Jews, and the blessedness of this to the world in a way calculated to promote edification. There is ample room for enlargement on the various heads under which hymns have been given in this book. God, as our portion, our shield, and exceeding great reward, and his glorious attributes and his manifestations of himself, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, might be much more fully, practically, and experimentally illustrated. Practical duties, on Gospel principles, in the Christian life, have been but little brought before the Church in hymns, though the Scriptures lead to it by the exhortation, teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Hymns for Baptism and the Lord's Supper might be profitably multiplied. The Christian's hope of the second advent of his Lord might be brought with much more advantage into the devout singing of the Church. Revivals of grace in churches have been too much disregarded.
THE SCRIPTURES ARE THE INEXHAUSTIBLE TREASURES from which every really valuable hymn must be taken. If hymns speak not according to God's word, we may say of them, as of every other pretence to divine instruction, %it is because there is no light in them%. The Father's sovereignty and love, the Saviour's grace and glory, the Spirit's light and energy, brought into every truth and every duty, every experience and every blessing, every work of creation, providence, and grace, form unsearchable riches for profitable hymns; and thus all the powers and gifts which God bestows on man may be most happily employed for the highest good of others.
THE DUTY OF SINGING praise and hymns to God is very clearly expressed in the Scriptures. It is a reasonable duty (Rev.iv.11, Ps.cxlvii.1). It is plainly and often commanded (Isa.xii.4,5, xxxv.10, and the Psalms throughout. It is one end of our very calling as Christians (1 Pet.ii.9, 1 Cor.xiv.15), and it is a duty in which we hope to spend a happy eternity (Ps.cxlvi.2, Rev.v.9).
It is a duty at all times, (1 Thess.v.18), in public worship, in the social circle, and in private. Let ®the voice of rejoicing and salvation be in the tabernacles of the righteous¯ (Ps.cxviii.15). The practice of singing in family worship is heartily recommended, from experience that difficulties in it may be overcome, and many blessings are connected with it.
THE PRIVILEGE OF SINGING is as great as the duty is clear. It tends to store the memory with the precious truths of God's word, and thus assists in maintaining spirituality of mind and constant communion with our God. It greatly helps the poor to acquire the knowledge of the things of Christ. It furnishes constant subjects of devout meditation. The heart is prepared for and supported under trials, and many a vital and precious truth is received and expressed in a hymn, which the unhealthy moral atmosphere of the world would otherwise quench and suppress. What holy feelings, what heavenly desires, what sublime joys, what nearness to God and all holy things, have experienced Christians thus enjoyed! They can enter into the language of him who, after one of his beautiful Psalms, says, ®I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live, I will sing praises unto my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet, I will be glad in the Lord.¯ Singing is the suitable expression of holy joy (Ps.xxxiii.1, 2 Chron.v.13). It realizes God's presence (Ps.xxii.3, St.James v.13), and edifies our fellow Christians (Col.iii.16). We in it glorify God (Ps.1.23), and enjoy the communion of saints (Ephes.v.19).
THE PRACTICE OF THIS DUTY by the servants of God has been constant. The Church of God under the Old Testament abounded in this. Our Saviour himself sung a hymn after instituting his supper (Matt.xxvi.30). Paul and Silas in prison sang praises to God (Acts xvi.25). Christians have from the beginning been marked for their attention to this. Pliny describing the custom of Christians about the year 106, tells the Roman Emperor Trajan, "They are accustomed to repeat among themselves a hymn to Christ as to a God." An early Christian writer says, "The psalms and the hymns of the brethren, written at the beginning, do set forth the praises of Christ, the Word of God, as God." (Eusebius, b.vii. c.28). Another early writer (Clemens) says, "A good Christian's life is a continual festival, his sacrifices are prayers and praises, reading the scriptures before meat, and singing psalms and hymns at meat." St.Jerome tells us that in the place where he lived "you could not go into the fields, but you might hear the ploughman at his hallelujahs, the mower at his hymns, and the vine-dresser singing David's Psalms."
Singing greatly promoted the cause of Reformation. Beza says, "When I came into the assembly where they were singing the praises of God, I found myself suddenly inspired with a divine warmth, and strangely affected with love and joy, so that the assembly appeared to me as the gate of heaven, or an entrance into glory."
The increased attention paid to Psalmody is one of those gratifying marks of revived religion, which we trust will increase and spread, till not only in every Church, but in every family, both young men and maidens, old men and children, yea everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
To sing with the spirit and with the understanding (1 Cor.xiv.15) will be the desire of every real Christian.
The grace of God is here, as in every holy duty, the first and all-essential requisite. To sing with the spirit, we need the power from on high, grace in the heart, and the present exercise of that grace by the immediate and direct aid of the Holy Spirit, communicating and exciting and stirring up holy affections within (Col.iii.16, Ephes.v.18,19). The sweetness of the music may be rather a hindrance than a help, if it engross our minds, or turn them away from the thoughts of prayer and praise. Augustine says, "When the tune has moved me more than the subject, I feel guilty."
It is much to be desired that, as far as practicable, the congregation should join in the act of singing; those who can sing well doing so aloud (Ps.cviii.1-3), those whose voice or ear is not good, joining in a lower tone, and those unable to sing remaining silent, yet joining in heart and affection.
The whole congregation ought to stand up during the singing (2 Chron. vii.6, Neh.ix.5, Isa.vi.2, 3, Rev.vii.9,10, xv.2-4).
May Augustine's experience of the benefit of singing be realized by multitudes in our days. "O how much have I wept, how exceedingly moved and affected I have been at the hymns, songs, and harmonious voices of the Church. Those voices pierced my ears, thy truth entered my soul, and devout affections were raised within me." And may many a heart in the use of the hymns here gathered together, be enabled to anticipate the songs of the redeemed above, till they at length join that only perfectly happy choir.
EDWARD BICKERSTETH
Watton Rectory, October, 1841
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