Hymns and Spiritual Songs

“Singing the praises of God, as a religious duty—this may be done in a private manner, by a person singly and alone (Js 5:13), and between two or more; so Paul and Silas sang aloud praises to God in the prison (Acts 16:25), and in the family, between a man and his wife, with his children and servants. Singing the praises of God has always been a branch of natural or revealed religion, in all ages and periods of time, and ever will be. That the churches of Christ under the gospel dispensation were to sing, is evident from express precepts and directions given to gospel churches concerning it (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Inasmuch as the “word of God” and Christ in general furnishes out matter for singing his praises, I deny not, but that such hymns and spiritual songs, composed by good men, uninspired, may be made use of; provided care is taken that they be agreeable to the sacred writings, and to the analogy of faith, and are expressed as much as may be in scripture language.”—John Gill, “A Body Of Practical Divinity”

THE TRIUNE JEHOVAH
SALVATION AND SOVEREIGN GRACE
GRACIOUS COVENANT AND ELECTION
REDEMPTION AND REGENERATION
INCARNATION AND RETURN
STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
DEATH AND HEAVEN
THE CHURCH

  • • The Church

    Break Thou The Bread Of Life

    Jeremiah 15:16: "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart:" 1 Corinthians 2:13,14: "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." John 6:22-71: "The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but…

  • • Gracious Covenant and Election,  Isaac Watt's Hymns

    Blest Be The Father And His Love

    2 Thessalonians 2:13-17: "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

  • • Trials and Tribulations,  Samuel Medley

    Let Me, Thou Sovereign Lord Of All

    Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:1-11: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts…

  • • Trials and Tribulations

    It Is Well With My Soul

    Psalm 42:7,8: "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10: "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.…

  • • Trials and Tribulations,  William Gadsby's Hymns

    While Jesus Whispers Peace

    1 John 1:8,9: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Romans 15:13: "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Job 13:15,16: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him." Proverbs 30:7-9: "Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: remove far…

  • • Redemption and Regeneration,  Isaac Watt's Hymns

    When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

    Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31: "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of…