A Scripture Catechism, Chapter 24
CHAP. 24. Of Singing of Pſalmes.
Q. ARE we to ſing with the voice, or are we only to make melody in our hearts to the Lord?
A. Acts 16.25. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and ſang prayſes unto God, and the priſoners heard them.
Q. Is it lawfull to ſing a pſalme, which containes a hiſtory of others, and whoſe caſe was not every way as mine is at this preſent? or may Pſalmes be ſung as the Scriptures are read for inſtruction and comfort?
A. Coloſ. 3.16. Let the word of Chriſt dwell in you richly, in all wiſdome, teaching and admoniſhing one another in Pſalms, and hymns, and ſpirituall ſongs, ſinging with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 2 Chron. 29.30. Moreover Hezekiah the King, and the Princes, commanded the Levites to ſing praiſe unto the Lord with the words of David, and of Aſaph the ſeer: and they ſang praiſes with gladneſſe. Pſal. 22. Compare title and Pſalme. So Pſal. 51, 52, & 54. titles and Pſalmes compared. 2 Chron. 35.25. And Jeremiah lamented for Joſiah, and all the ſinging men and the ſinging women ſpake of Joſiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Iſrael, and behold they are written in the Lamentations.
Q. Were women allowed to ſing?
A. Exod. 15.20, 21. And Miriam the Propheteſſe, the ſiſter of Aaron, took a timbrell in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels & with dances. And Miriam anſwered them, ſing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriouſly &c. 2 Chr. 35.25. And Jeremiah lamented for Joſiah, and all the ſinging men, and the ſinging women ſpake of Joſiah in their lamentations to this day.
Q. May an Unregenerate man ſing a Pſalme?
A. Exod. 15.1. Then ſang Moſes and the children of Iſrael this ſong unto the Lord, and ſpake, ſaying, I will ſing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriouſly, the horſe and his rider hath he thrown into the Sea.
Q. May many joine to ſing a Pſalme together? and may a Godly man or woman joine with thoſe who are not truly Godly in ſinging of a Pſalme?
A. Exod. 15.1, 20, 21. Then ſang Moſes & the children of Iſrael this ſong unto the Lord. — And Miriam the Propheteſſe, the Siſter of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels &c.
Q. May we ſing on a day of Humiliation, or in a time of ſadneſſe? Is it not ſaid, Jam. 5.13. If any be merry let him ſing Pſalmes?
A. See the title to the 102. Pſal. A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord. Beſides, as we may pray when we are not afflicted, ſo we may ſing, although we have no preſent extraordinary cauſe of mirth: but whereas others, ungodly men, when they are filled with wine and carnall mirth, burſt out into ſinging vaine, and oft times wild ſongs; Chriſtians when they are filled with the ſpirit, with joy unſpeakable and glorious, may expreſſe their joy ſeaſonably in Pſalmes & hymnes & ſpirituall ſongs, Eph. 5.18, 19. Times of mirth are fit and ſeaſonable times for this duty, but not the only times. Paul and Silas ſang in priſon; and ſo our Saviour and his Apoſtles immediately after his laſt ſupper, not long before he was betrayed into the hands of ſinners: as times of affliction are ſpeciall times of prayer, but not the only times; Chriſt himſelfe being in an Agony prayed the more earneſtly: ſo times of mirth or rejoicing are ſpeciall, but not the only ſeaſons of ſinging of Pſalms.
Q. Is ſinging of Pſalms to be allowed in the Church?
A. 1 Cor. 14.26. How is it then brethren, when ye come together, every one of you hath a Pſalme, hath a Doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an Interpretation: let all things be done unto edifying. Pſal. 95.1, 2. O come let us ſing unto the Lord, let us make a joyfull noiſe to the rock of our Salvation. Let us come before his preſence with thankſgiving, and make a joyfull noiſe unto him with Pſalms. Mar. 14.26. And when they had ſung an hymne, they went out into the mount of Olives.