Psalms and Hymns

FOR THE

USE OF CHURCHES.

"Make a joyful noise unto the God of our salvation;
and sing his praises with understanding."

TO THE FORMER EDITIONS.

THE following is a Collection of such parts of the PSALMS as are most fit for the common use of Christians. The greater part of those PIOUS, WRITINGS were composed upon particular occasions, and relate either to the personal circumstances of David, and the other Psalmists, or the state of the Jewish church and nation in their time. These we may, indeed, read with great use and improvement, as means to excite pious and devout sentiments in our minds; but we can scarce with any propriety offer them up in our own persons, as actual addresses of prayer and praise to God, which yet seems to be the thing intended in this part of our public

service.

I have, therefore, here separated from the rest such passages as are more generally applicable to the common condition of Christians; such as have nothing in them peculiar to the Jewish nation or religion, but are equally pertinent to the