redemption and salvation. These truths, there- V. Metrical Versions of the Psalms in the fore, taught as they were by our Lord and his WELSH, MANX, IRISH, MOHAWK, and MUNCEY apostles, and illustrated by the great transactions Languages. of his life and death, may surely form, in a Christian congregation, as fit subjects for devotional melodies, as the events of Jewish history, and the precepts of the Mosaic law suggested to the Holy Psalmist." A WELSH version of the psalms, by William Myddleton, a celebrated bard and navigator, was printed at London by Simon Stafford and Thomas Salisbury in 1603, 4to ;* and another version was made by a celebrated Welsh poet, the Rev. Edmund Prys, archdeacon of Merioneth, about the commencement of the seventeenth century. This version was subsequently revised by the Rev. Peter Williams, and is now in use throughout the principality of Wales.† A metrical version of twenty-eight psalms into the MANX language was executed in 1761 by the Rev. Robert Radcliffe and the Rev. Matthias Cur The want of a Collection of Psalms and Hymns, made on this principle, seems to have been felt in the middle and latter part of the eighteenth century, when selections appear to have been first made. One of the earliest, which the writer of these pages has seen, was published at York in 1774. Other selections were introduced about the same time, or perhaps a little earlier, into the chapels of the Magdalen, Foundling, and Lock gey, two clergymen of the Isle of Man. Hospitals, and of other benevolent institutions in translation of the Book of Psalms in the Erse or the metropolis: and within the last fifty or sixty native IRISH language, made by the Rev. Dr. years, during which increased attention has been M'Leod, Mr. Thaddeus Connellan, the Rev. H. H. given to the improvement of church psalmody, Beamish, M. A., and Mr. David Murphy, was pubvery numerous collections and selections have been lished at London in 1836.§ published, which are now used in various churches and chapels throughout England. A In the edition of the American Indian (or Mohawk) version of the Book of Common Prayer, The sources, from which most of these selec- printed at London in 1787, at the expense of the tions are derived, are the “Psalms of David imi- British government, for the use of the Christian tated in the language of the New Testament," Indian tribes, the following portions of the psalms and the "Hymns" composed by the Rev. Dr. are translated into the MOHAWK language, viz., Watts, published respectively in 1707 and 1719; the twenty-third, sixty-seventh, hundreth, hundred the Hymns of the Rev. Dr. Doddridge; the and seventeenth, and the hundred and thirty-fourth Hymns published at various times by the Rev. psalms, with Gloria Patri, the hymn Veni CreaMessieurs John and Charles Wesley; the Olney tor, and two hymns on Baptism and the Lord's Hymns, composed by William Cowper and the Supper: and in 1839, "A Collection of Psalms Rev. John Newton; and the sacred compositions and Hymns for the use of the Six Indian Nations," dispersed through the works of the British poets was printed at Hamilton, in the Diocese of Toof the eighteenth century and of the present time. ronto, "at the expense of the New England CorOf the very numerous collections and selections poration," as the society for supporting missions of psalms and hymns, now extant, it were invidious to those nations is now termed. It contains the to specify any as possessing more than ordinary psalms just enumerated in English and Mohawk, claims to preference: but the fact may be stated, and eighty-one hymns; sixty-eight of which are as showing how much the want of some such in Mohawk and English, and consist of those most selections has been felt, that two collections of generally approved in this country. The remainpsalms and hymns have been published by cler- ing thirteen hymns are in Mohawk only. Among gymen who have since been raised to the episco- them is Bishop Ken's admirable Evening Hymn, pate, viz., 1. By the Rev. Dr. Maltby, (successively rendered into Mohawk verse, in words of one sylbishop of Chichester and Durham,) while he was lable; which the devoted clerical missionary to the vicar of Buckden, in conjunction with the Rev. Mohawks, the Rev. Abraham Nelles, in 1844, inMessieurs R. Tillard, and J. S. Banks, whose formed the writer of these "Historical Notices," collection was published under the sanction of is sung to Tallis' well known tune, to which the their diocesan, Bishop Tomline (of Lincoln ;) and Mohawk verse is eminently adapted. As this 2. By the Rev. Samuel Wilberforce, M. A. (now" Collection of Psalms and Hymns, for the use of D. D. and Bishop of Oxford,) while he was rector the Six Indian Nations," is by no means a comof Brightstone in the Isle of Wight. In 1835 the necessity of having some authorized and uniform collection of psalms and hymns for the use of members of the Church of England, was brought before the committee of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. Accordingly, a collection was prepared by a sub-committee, and printed. It consisted of one hundred and fifty psalms, or portions of psalms, and one hundred and sixty-one hymns: but some impediment arose, so that it was never published.* * From private information. mon Book in England, the following stanza in Glory to Thee, my God, this night, Age Ni yoh wa go men ton, In 1643, the panied with the prose translation from the English Bible at that time and now in use. This version, it seems, had been printed in 1641. Assembly of Divines, then sitting at Westminster, In 1847 the Society for promoting Christian having been desired by the House of Commons to Knowledge, printed in the language of the Mun- consider the subject of Psalmody, caused Rous' ceys, (a tribe of North American Indians,) the version to be "carefully perused;" and after sevtwenty-third, thirty-second, thirty-fourth, forty-eral amendments, they sent it to the House of second, fifty-first, sixty-seventh, and hundredth Commons in 1645, with their approval; humbly psalms, with a "Gloria Patri," at the end of the conceiving that it" may be useful and profitable Muncey version of "The Morning and Evening Prayers, the Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church." The psalms are followed by sixty-eight hymns also in the language of the Munceys, all which are translated by the Rev. Richard Flood, missionary to that tribe from the venerable Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The first verse of the hundredth Psalm is annexed, as a specimen of the language. "La Kitch yoon tah leh au Keeng waim, to the church, if permitted to be sung."* Rous' version was further revised by William Barton, for the optional use of churches in England: "but neither the Assembly of Divines, nor the care of Barton, nor the license of Cromwell, could wean the people from their attachment to the Old Version, or bid the press discontinue the publication of it."t Notwithstanding the efforts made during the rebellion to ensure or enforce one uniform system of psalmody, objections were made to the singing of psalms in public worship; and many doubts and scruples respecting its propriety appear to have prevailed among the Puritans about the middle of the seventeenth century. Psalmody, however, was strenuously vindicated and defended by "T. SECTION II. PSALMODY OF THE PROTESTANT DIS- F., minister of the gospel in Exon," as an inte SENTERS FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 66 . 66 gral part of public worship, in a duodecimo volume Of the state of psalmony among the Puritans, published at London in 1651, containing five "Serat the close of the sixteenth century, and in the mons upon Ephesians, v. 19," entitled "Singing former part of the seventeenth century, we have of Psalms the Duty of Christians under the New no certain information. Various metrical transla- Testament; or a Vindication of that Gospel orditions, indeed, were published by private individuals, nance. Wherein are asserted and accounts of which, interspersed with specimens, cleared, 1. That, 2. What, 3. How, 4. Why, may be seen in Mr. Holland's " Psalmists of Brit- we must sing." In the preface to the reader," ain," above cited. In 1644 appeared "The Book (signature A. 3,) he states that his sermons are of Psalms in Metre, close and appropriate to the more especially directed to three sorts of persons; Hebrew, smooth and pleasant for the metre, plain First, such as deny singing of David's Psalms and easy for the Tunes, by W. B.," that is, Wil- to be a duty;-Secondly, such as neglect that duty liam Barton. This version became exceedingly very much, especially in private ;-Thirdly, such popular among the Puritans, and was reprinted in as do it both in publique and in private, yet know 1645, with the license of Oliver Cromwell as Pro- not how to carry themselves in it as becometh tector. The author's name was then printed at Christians." length. A third edition was printed in 1654; and The third edition of Dr. Francis Roberts'" ClaBarton's version appears to have retained its pop-vis Bibliorum, or Key of the Bible," published in ularity for many years; since an edition was pub-1665, contains a metrical version of the whole lished in 1705, with a notice that it appeared-Book of Psalms from the Hebrew; which, indeed, 66 as he left it finished in his life-time."* 66 In 1646 another metrical version of the Psalms was published (but without his name) by Francis Rous, the Presbyterian Provost of Eton College, with the following imprimatur of the House of Commons, facing the title-page :-" Die Veneris, 1645. It is this day ordered by the commons assembled in parliament, that this Book of Psalms, set forth by Mr. Rous and perused by the Assembly of Divines, be forthwith printed: And that it be referred to Mr. Rous to take care for the printing thereof; and that none do presume to print it, but such as shall be authorized by him. H. Elsinge, Cler. Parl. Dom. Com." Each psalm is accom *Todd's "Observations on the Metrical Versions of the Psalms made by Sternhold, Hopkins, and others," p. 73. Holland's "Psalmists of Brit." ii. 19. claims the merit of fidelity, but which is clothed in the most homely garb of English verse, that can well be conceived. To this portion of his work he prefixed a prolix and labored vindication of psalmody as an essential part of divine worship, in four theses, in which he shows, 1. That "singing of psalmes with voice is an ordinance of Christ and a duty of Christians, now under the New Testament;"-2. That "the subject-matter of Christians singing now under the New Testament should peculiarly be the Scripture-Psalmes, Hymnes, and Spiritual Songs;"-3. That "Christians are so to sing Scripture-Psalmes, Hymnes, and Spiritual Songs, as therein to speak to one another to mutual profit and edification;"-and 4. That "in *Holland's Psalmists of Britain. Vol. ii. pp. 31, 32. + Todd's Observations. p. 79. 66 singing of Scripture-Psalmes, &c., Christians in Little Eastcheap." From the preface to this should be chiefly careful to make melody in their volume we learn that, "the duty of singing in the hearts unto the Lord." In the course of these public worship of God having been very much theses Dr. Roberts considers and answers various neglected and unskilfully performed among us," objections of the opponents of psalmody; and offers [that is, the dissenters,] some attempts have satisfactory "Resolutions of certain cases of con- been set on foot to teach the art and encourage science, or practical doubts about singing Scrip- the practice." With this design the "Eastcheap ture-Psalmes." Lectures," as they are commonly termed, were In 1673 Mr. Baxter published his "Christian composed and delivered, but with what success it Directory, or a Sum of Practical Theology and is not now known. They treat on the nature and Cases of Conscience," in one large volume folio. | duty of singing, with arguments for it, answers to In Part III., Question 125, he considers the sub- objections, and directions for performing it aright. ject of psalmody, and determines that psalms may Many judicious and pious observations are disbe "used as prayers, and praises, and thanksgiv-persed through these lectures. ings;" assigning as his reason for entering into But the greatest improvement of psalmody the discussion, that he had "oft been troubled with among dissenters, (and indeed of all modern them that (having no other shift to deny the law- psalmody,) was effected by the publication, in the fulness of written and set forms of prayer) do af-year 1707, of Dr. Watts' Hymns, and in 1719 firm, that psalms are neither to be read or sung at all as prayers, but only as doctrinal scriptures for instruction."* of his "Psalms of David imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian State and Worship." The best compositions of Watts, and of his friend, the learned and pious Dr. Doddridge, (whose hymns were published after his decease in 1751,) are found in every selection of psalms and hymns, which has been published within the last sixty years, whether for the use of the Church of England or of dissenters from her communion. In the course of the present century many exquisite pieces of sacred and devotional poetry have been composed by dissenters, which are deservedly found in various collections and selections printed for use in public worship. All the great bodies of dissenters now have denominational Hymn-Books, containing the best versions, or imitations, of the Psalms of David, together with hymns selected from our most eminent devotional poets. In the year 1679, Dr. John Patrick, preacher to the Charterhouse, London, published "a century of select psalms," and in 1715 a version of the entire Book of Psalms; which was afterwards reprinted, and was in use among some congregations of Protestant dissenters, principally (it would seem) of the Presbyterian and Independent denominations, for the Baptists were much divided in opinion, on the subject of psalmody. Towards the close of the seventeenth century, a curious controversy arose among the Baptists-Whether singing in public worship had been partially discontinued during the times of persecution to avoid informers, or whether the miserable manner in which it was performed, gave persons a distaste towards it. In this controversy Mr. Benjamin Keach took an active part. In 1691 he published a tract entitled "The Breach repaired in God's worship: or, SECTION IV.—PSALMODY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTPsalms, Hymns, &c., proved to be a holy ordinance of Jesus Christ. To us it may appear "In Scotland, as elsewhere, the first publication strange that such a point should be disputed. But of the Book of Psalms in the vulgar tongue apMr. Keach was obliged to "labor earnestly and pears to have preceded that of the whole Scripwith great prudence and caution, to obtain the con- tures. It is certain that, before the year 1546, a sent of his people to sing a hymn at the conclusion number of the Psalms was translated into metre ; of the Lord's Supper. After six years they agreed for George Wishart" [the martyr] "sang one of to sing on thanksgiving days; but it required four-them in the house of Ormiston, on the night in teen years more, before he could persuade them to which he was apprehended.' sing every Lord's day; and then it was only after The Old Version of Sternhold, Hopkins, and the last prayer, that those who chose might with- their associates, was early introduced into the pubdraw without joining in it. Nor did even this lic worship of the Kirk of Scotland. Mr. Lea satisfy those scrupulous consciences; for, after all, Wilson has bibliographical Notices, in chronologa separation took place, and the inharmonious se-ical order, of not fewer than fifteen editions printed ceders formed a new church in May's" (Maze) at Middleburgh and Dort, in Holland, and at Ed"Pond," (Southwark,)" where it was above twen-inburgh and Aberdeen, in Scotland, between the ty years longer before singing the praises of God years 1594 and 1640.† could be endured." In 1708 were published at London "Practical Discourses on the Duty of Singing in the Worship of God, preached at the Friday Evening Lecture *Baxter's Practical Works, vol. v., p. 497, 8vo. edit. +Crosby's History of English Baptists, vol. iv., pp. 298 -301. T. Williams' Dictionary of all Religions, p. 248. London, 1823. LAND. The Presbyterian Church of Scotland has uniformly evinced a remarkably strong indisposition to innovate in the matter of psalmody. This indisposition was most decidedly manifested in 1632, *M'Crie's Life of Knox, vol. i., p. 364. + Bibles, Testaments, Psalms, and other Books of Holy Scripture in English, in the collection of Lea Wilson, Esq., pp. 238, 240, 241 and following. OF AMERICA. when an attempt was made to supersede the Old | SECTION IV.-PSALMODY IN THE UNITED STATES English Version of the psalms, which had been in use since 1564, by that of King James I. But I. Psalmody of the Congregationalists or Inwhile the Scottish divines withstood the introduc-dependents, and of the Presbyterians. tion of the king's version, they appear at the The United States of America, especially those same time to have taken measures for obtaining a which are commonly termed the "New England version of which they could entirely approve.* States," were colonized principally by nonconAt length, after much deliberation and revision formists, who probably used the Old Version of between the years 1647 and 1649, the General Sternhold and his associates. In 1636 a commitAssembly of the Church of Scotland in August, tee of ministers of the Congregational or Inde1649, referred the whole matter to a commission; pendent churches was appointed; who in 1640 who on the 23d of November following issued completed from the Hebrew a metrical version of their decision in favor of the revised version of the psalms, which was subsequently referred for Francis Rous, (noticed in p. 294,) which was improvement to the Rev. Henry Dunstar, Princiadopted in the main, and authorized the same to pal of Harvard College, Massachusetts; who was be the only paraphrase of the psalms to be sung in the Kirk of Scotland.† 12mo. aided-as to the poetry-by Mr. Richard Lyon, an English gentleman at that time resident in In process of time, however, it was the general Harvard College. Between the years 1755 and sentiment of devout persons, that it would be of 1757 this translation received a very careful readvantage to enlarge the psalmody of that church, vision from the Rev. Thomas Prince, M. A., recby joining with the Psalms of David some other tor of the South Church, Boston; whose revised passages of Holy Scripture, both from the Old and edition was published in October, 1758, and was New Testament. Accordingly, a committee was introduced into the South Church on the Sunday appointed, in consequence of an act of the General after his funeral.* Assembly of the kirk, to prepare some paraphrases In 1718 Dr. Cotton Mather published at Boston, of sacred writ, in verse: and a collection of such Massachusetts, "Psalterium Americanum: the paraphrases was published in 1745, which for thirty Book of Psalms in a translation exactly conformed years was used in several churches. At length, unto the Original; But all in Blank Verse, fitted in 1775, it having been represented to the General unto the tunes commonly used in our Churches. Assembly, that it was proper that this collection Which pure offering is accompanied with illusshould be revised and some additions should be trations digging for hidden treasures in it; and made to it, a committee was appointed with in- Rules to employ it according to the glorious and structions to receive and consider corrections or various intentions of it. Whereto are added some additional materials, which might be laid before portions of the Sacred Scriptures, to enrich the them. By that committee a collection, comprising Cantional. Boston, in N. E. . . . 1718." sixty-seven paraphrases of various portions of the Old Testament and five hymns, was published in In this singular publication, (which is a close 1781 under the authority of an act of the General translation from the Hebrew,) Dr. Mather has not Assembly, dated 1st June, 1781, sess. 8. All the only disregarded the modern practice of breaking translations and paraphrases, which had been pub- the lines, whether rhymed or not; but he has lished in 1745, are in substance retained, after a out" (to use a printer's phrase) the whole matter: careful revision, and with numerous alterations and so that while each psalm looks exactly like prose, improvements and a considerable number of new and may be read as such, it is in fact, modulated so paraphrases was added, the whole being arranged that it may be sung as lyric verse. in the order in which the several passages of purpose the syllabic quantities, which (it must be Scripture occur in the Bible. Doctors Watts, confessed) the reader will not always recognize, Doddridge, and Blacklock, and Mr. Logan, are are marked by parallels ;-Baxter's expedient for the authors from whom these paraphrases have lengthening the common measure of a verse, to chiefly been taken. suit a different tune by the addition of a word or two in a different character.† In an 66 Admonition concerning the Tunes," Dr. Mather states that "The Director of the psalmody need only saysing with the BLACK LETTER, or, sing without the BLACK LETTER, and the tune will be sufficiently directed." The following extract from the twentythird psalm will enable the reader to form some idea of this extraordinary translation of the Book In 1781 the psalmody of the Church of Scotland was translated into Gaelic by the Rev. John Smith, by whom it was revised and published in 1783.§ Competent judges have pronounced that this version is faithfully and beautifully executed. *Holland's Psalmists of Britain, vol. i., p. 57. + Ibid., pp. 58-60. Advertisement to "Translations and Paraphrases, in verse, of several passages of Scripture, collected and pre-of Psalms. pared by a Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in order to be sung in churches. Edinburgh: printed by J. Dickson, printer to the Church of Scotland, 1787." 12mo. Holland's Psal. of Brit., vol. i., p. 63. run For the latter *Holland's Psalmists of Britain, vol. ii., pp. 186-190. + Holland's Psalmists of Britain, vol. ii., pp. 141-144. Psalterium Americanum; Introduction, p. xxxvi. The quotations from this very rare volume are made from the copy preserved in the Library of the British Muscum. "PSALM XXIII. A Psalm of David. 1. My Shepherd is th' ETERNAL God, || I shall not be in [ang] want: 2. In pastures of a tender grass || He [eber] makes me to lie down: To waters of tranquillities || He gently carries me [along.] 3. My feeble and my wandring Soul || He [kindly] does fetch back again; In the plain paths of righteousness He does lead [and guide] me along; Because of the regard He has | [eber] unto His glorious Name." [[* the Congregationalists) by Messrs. Lowell Mason and David Green, at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1832, in 8vo. It is entitled "Church Psalmody; a collection of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to public worship." This well-printed volume has been compiled upon the most rigorous principles of selections, as well with regard to the subjectmatter, as to the structure of the psalms and hymns. It would form an admirable basis of a national psalm and hymn-book, if we should ever have one for the use of the United Church of England and Ireland. II. Psalmody of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. After the war, which terminated in the recognition of the independence of the United States of America, the members of the Church of England, which had previously existed in different parts of that country, took measures for organizing their ecclesiastical state. Accordingly, having obtained from Great Britain the consecration of the canonical number of bishops, they formed themselves into an episcopal church, under the appellation of In 1783, Joel Barlow, an American statesman and poet, published a corrected and enlarged edition of Dr. Watts' Version of the Psalms, and a collection of hymns, with the recommendation of the General Association of the Congregationalist ministers of Connecticut, at whose request the work had been undertaken. Many of the psalms were altered so as to be adapted to the American churches (as all congregations are termed in the United States;) several were written anew; and several, which had been omitted by Dr. Watts, were supplied. Mr. Barlow also supplied some The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United original hymns.† "His collection of psalms and hymns was in general use among the churches of Connecticut, until his bad character brought them into disrepute, when the collection by Dr. Dwight was made and introduced." Though once a preacher of the gospel, Barlow had ceased to regard it of divine authority; and he died without the support of its glorious promises.§ +6 In 1797, the Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D., an eminent poet and divine, (president of Yale College, Connecticut,) was requested by the General Assembly of ministers in that state to revise the whole of Dr. Watts' version, or rather imitation of the psalms, and "to versify the psalms omitted by Watts." The task was undertaken accordingly; and the whole was published in 1800 with an Advertisement explanatory of the design and execution of the work, and" [with] " minutes of approval from the General Assembly and General Association of Churches. The additional psalms comprised in the American Edition of Watts are upwards of twenty. The versions are for the most part respectable; but the Independents of this country appear never to have considered the American and the English poets as sufficiently coëqual in merit and authority, to induce them to adopt those contributions of Dr. Dwight, which render the work of Dr. Watts more complete, if not more precious." Many of the leading denominations in the United States of America (as the Lutherans, the Methodist Episcopal Church, &c.) have their own separate psalm and hymn-books. The best and most copious of all the collections which the writer has seen, was published (it is believed for the use of *Psalterium Americanum, p. 50. States of America." In 1789, the General Convention of Bishops, and of Clerical and Lay Delegates issued a Book of Common Prayer, for the use of their church; in which, besides modifying certain passages in order to meet their altered political circumstances, they introduced various judicious alterations and improvements, principally those which had been proposed in 1689, by the royal commissioners to the lower house of the English Convocation, but which had been rejected by a majority in that ecclesiastical assembly. The General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church also adopted Messrs. Tate and Brady's "New Version of the Psalms;" to which fifty-seven hymns were added. That number being found insufficient for public worship, and also requiring revision, the General Convention, at their triennial meeting held in May, 1823, appointed a committee consisting of three bishops, seven presbyters, and seven lay delegates, to consider what alterations and additions were necessary to be made. in 1826, a collection of two hundred and twelve hymns was published under the sanction of the General Convention, and continues to be used in the public worship of that section of the universal church. In consequence of the difficulty experienced by many of the clergy, in selecting suitable portions of the "New Version of the Psalms," the General Convention held in 1829, appointed a committee of the house of bishops and of clerical and lay delegates, to consider and report on a selection which was to be made from the psalms in metre used by the Protestant Episcopal Church. In their report the committee state that "The version of Tate and Brady has been retained, where it appeared to be serviceable; in a few cases, in And +Allen's American Biographical and Historical Dic- which it was otherwise, better versions have been tionary, p. 71. Boston, 1832. #Holland's Psalm. of Britain, ii. 262, note. $ Allen's American Biographical Dictionary, p. 72. Holland's Psalmists of Britain, vol. ii., pp. 263, 264. substituted. Corrections have been occasionally * Journal of the General Convention, pp. 16, 64. New York, 1823. |