FAMILY-SINGING

To the reader:

My design in this essay is to promote the singing of Psalms in families, as a part of their daily worship, especially their Sabbath worship; an exercise which (however it be now with other instances of the warmest devotion sadly disused, yet) was anciently practised by the generality of serious Christians, who thus turned their houses into churches, (such churches as St. Paul speaks of, Rom. 16:5; Col. 4:15; Phil. 2) by praising God together, and by teaching and admonishing one another in singing of Psalms. If we ask for the good old way, we shall find this path in it trodden by primitive Christians in the Church’s early days; among the particulars of whose religion, that learned pen which wrote the “Primitive Christianity,” traces remarkable footsteps of this family exercise, Part I, Ch. 9. The sound of this melody was not only heard in their solemn assemblies, where it appears by many passages (particularly that known account which Pliny gives to Trojan of the Christians) to have been a considerable part of their public worship, but in their private houses also, where it seems to have been the common usage to sing Psalms with their wives and children, especially at and after their meals; a practice commended by Clemens Alexandrinus, which made the Psalms so familiar to them, that, as Jerom tells us, in the place where he lived, you could not go into the field but you should hear the plough-men, and the mowers, and the vine-dressers thus employed: The sober feast resounds with Psalms, says Cyprian. Socrates speaks of it as the practice of Theodosius the Emperor, to rise early every morning to sing Psalms with his sisters, “so that his Palace (says he) was like a monastery or religious house.” And I have sometimes thought that the service of the monasteries, in the degenerate ages of the Church (which is known to have consisted very much in singing), was but the remaining form and carcass of that life and power of godliness and religious worship which had originally reigned in most Christian families.

That is a good hint of Tertullian, in his book ad Uxorem (written about the year 205), where, cautioning Christian women not to marry with unbelievers, he urges this against it, “That those who were so linked, could not have their husbands to sing Psalms with them in their houses; whereas, when those in that relation draw together in the yoke of Christ:—They sing Psalms and Hymns together; their only strife then is, which shall be most affectionate and serious in singing.” And, to come nearer our day, that is worthy our notice which Mr. Quick, in the Introduction to his Synodicon, tells us, “That the singing of Psalms in families, even those of the best rank, not only at their morning and evening worship, but at their meals, conducted very much to the strength and growth of the reformed religion in France in its first and best days.” And the title-page of our Old English Translation of the Psalms into metre, set forth and allowed at the beginning of our reformation in Edward the VIth’s time, recommends them to be sung in private houses for their godly solace and comfort. And how the houses of the good old Protestants were perfumed with the incense daily, especially on Lord’s Days, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us. Gladly therefore would I contribute something toward the revival of this duty in Christian families, which, if they be (as they should be) nurseries and seminaries of piety, would certainly embrace this as an excellent means of instilling religion betimes into the minds of their little children, who, as they commonly attend most to this duty, so they will sooner receive the good impressions of it, than of any other; and thus out of the mouths of babes and sucklings will praise be perfected to the glory of God, and strength ordained to the comfort of families; compare Matth. 21:16 with Ps. 8:2.

Austin suggests that Psalms were written, and the singing of Psalms appointed, very much for the sake of youth. “For this purpose were the Psalms set to music, that the sprightly period of youth might be entertained and exhilirated.

What shall I say then to persuade masters of families, who have hitherto neglected their duty, to begin it now ? Better late than never. The experience of many who make conscience of it will testify both the sweetness and profit of it. If Psalms were more sung in families, they would be better sung in congregations. Let none plead want of time as their excuse; for, how can time be spent better than in praising God? And is there not a great deal of our precious hours thrown away every day upon other things that are less to the purpose of a Christian? Nor will there be room for this pretense, if care be taken not to defer family worship too late, either morning or evening, so as to crowd it into a corner (as many do by a thousand impertinences), as likewise so to proportion the other parts of the duty, that they may not prevent this. It is the wisdom of masters of families, so to manage their family worship, that they may make it as much possible a pleasure, and not a task to their children and servants. Nor let want of skill be any excuse; there may be much of acceptable affection, where there appears but little of art. Plain songs best befit plain Israelites. A small degree of skill (and that is easily attained by any who give their minds to it) will suffice to the management of this duty decently and in order, and more there needs not; for in private families the quickest way of singing seems to be most agreeable; such singing as the great Athanasius appointed in the church of Alexandria—more like reading than singing. So Austin tells us, and approves of it as a good means to preserve that spiritual delight which should be in this ordinance, from degenerating into sensitive pleasure, which it is apt to do when tunes and notes are overmuch studied and affected, and the ear tickled with them.

Nor let any be afraid that their neighbors should overhear them; we serve a Master that we have no reason to be ashamed of, to Whom we have engaged, that whatever others do, we and our houses will serve Him; and Whose hold is so great of the consciences, even of bad men, that those whose contempt and reproach you fear, even of them perhaps you will be had in honor, 2 Sam. 6:22. Nay, your light hereby may so shine before men, that others may be brought to glorify your Father which is in heaven, Matth. 5:16.

If any make it an excuse that they are unready in finding out such Psalms, or passages in the Psalms, as are most proper for family use, such may perhaps receive some help from this small collection.

It is taken out of David’s Psalms, and further we seldom need to go for hymns and spiritual songs, though other Scriptures may, no doubt, be used this way much to edification.—Sing nothing but what you read as being appointed to be sung, is a good rule, which Austin gives, Epist. 109. This collection will be the more useful (and it is what I chiefly aim at in it), if every one in the family have a book, so that the Psalm or hymn (for the distinction is but nominal) may be sung without reading the line betwixt, which is the general practise of the reformed churches abroad, and renders the duty more pleasant and profitable, and takes up less time, and is practicable enough in a family, if not in large congregations.

The gathering of verses out of several Psalms, and putting them together, may seem to be a violation of their own native coherence: but I hope it will not give offense to any, since it is no more so, than the joining of several passages of Scriptures remote from each other, and putting them together in our prayers and sermons, which is generally practised: besides that, it is a liberty which is often taken by the clerks who give out the Psalms in public: and I think those who dislike it not there, will the rather allow it in private families. Nay, I am in hopes that the reference I have made all along to the Psalms and verses, will increase, and lead to an acquaintance with the book of Psalms in general, which I would not that this essay should at all lesson or supersede.

May God help us to sing Psalms with our whole heart. May this writing help forward the work of singing Psalms, in which the will of God is done on earth, somewhat like as it is in heaven, where singing Hallelujahs to Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, is both the everlasting work, and the everlasting felicity of those glorified beings, that wear the crown of perfection within the veil.

Jan. 14, 1694

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