vi PREFACE. Beside the Occasional Hymns, four have been so applied to every Sunday in the year as to illustrate the subjects and unity of the Services appointed for the day. Thus, the subjects of the Hymns for the First Sunday in Advent are respectively. "Acknowledgment of Guilt,"—" Prayer for Sanctification," "The Coming and Reign of Messiah,”—and "The Blessings of Christ's Advent." A reference to the Morning Lesson, the Epistle, the Evening Lesson, and the Gospel for the day, will shew the connexion. A similar unity will be found in the Services for every Sunday throughout the year, and in the Hymns which are applied to them. To each Psalm and Hymn are prefixed a heading descriptive of its subject, and the name of an appropriate Tune and to each Hymn a reference to a passage of Scripture in the Services for the day. The work is published in octavo, 18mo, 24mo, 32mo, and 48mo. To the Octavo edition four Indexes are added: one, of the first lines of the Psalms and Hymns; another, to direct the choice of Psalms proper for the different parts of the Service, by classing them, as far as they would allow, according to their respective characters, whether of praise,penitence and supplication,-or precept; a third, of the Subjects of the Psalms and Hymns; and a fourth, of the Texts of Scripture illustrated. this arrangement, the Clergy may be enabled readily to select a Psalm or Hymn adapted to a particular Discourse. By The Editor has now the grateful task of acknowledging his obligations to many friends for their valuable contributions, and especially for the kindness and judgment with which they examined the successive sheets. To one he owes peculiar thanks --not only for his continued and friendly assistance during the progress of the work, but also for his very liberal contribution of original Psalms and Hymns; many of the latter having been written upon subjects which had hitherto remained untouched. He is also bound to acknowledge with gratitude the condescension of the distinguished Prelate to whom the volume is inscribed, in permitting the sheets, after they had received all the improvements which the various criticisms of friends could suggest, to be submitted to himself for his general opinion; beyond which the Editor would not be understood as claiming the sanction of his Lordship's approval. The glory of God, exemplified in "the unsearchable riches of Christ," is the great end contemplated in this Selection. That in ministering to this object it may promote the comfort and edification of "the followers of the Lamb" is the fervent prayer with which it is affectionately commended to the members of the Church of England. W. J. HALL, M.A. Rector of St. Bene't and St. Peter, London. March, 1836. THE PSALMS OF DAVID. PSALM I. The Blessedness of the Righteous, ST. ANN'S. C. M. HOW blest is he who ne'er consents Nor stands in sinners' ways, nor sits But makes the perfect law of God And meditates by night. Like some fair tree, which, fed by streams, Its fruit in season bears, His life shall prosper, and success Attend his latest years. For God approves the just man's ways; But all the paths that sinners tread The Sovereignty of Messiah. IRISH. C. M. WHY do the nations madly rage For he who sits above the sky The Lord hath said," I set my King To him shall earth her off'rings bring, And do his sov'reign will." Attend, ye Powers! confess your Lord, And bow before his face: How rash the men who scorn his word! How blest who seek his grace! PSALM III. Confidence in God. BEDFORD. C. M. WHEN hosts of enemies assail, For thou, my God, art ever nigh, Thy gracious ear hath heard my cry I laid me down and slept; thy hand I will not fear ten thousand foes; |