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

  • • Redemption and Regeneration,  Charlotte Elliott's Hymns

    Just As I Am

    Matthew 11:25-30: "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.…

  • • The TriUne Jehovah,  Charles Wesley

    Rejoice, The Lord Is King

    Philippians 2:5-11: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is…

  • • Fruit of the Spirit

    Now I Belong To Jesus

    John 10:22-30: "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of…

  • • Trials and Tribulations,  John Fawcett's Hymns

    Afflicted Saint, To Christ Draw Near

    Deuteronomy 33:24,25: "And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." 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. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory…

  • • The TriUne Jehovah,  Thomas Greene

    It Is The Lord, Enthroned In Light

    1 Samuel 3:1-18: "And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; and ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And…

  • • Strangers and Pilgrims,  Joseph Swain

    Pilgrims We Are, To Canaan Bound

    Psalm 34:19: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Hebrews 11:13-16: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."