Psalms or Hymns?

"It is true, that David has left us a richer Variety of holy Songs than all that went before him; but rich as it is, 'tis still far short of the glorious Things that we Christians have to sing before the Lord. (125)"



Watts constructs a strong argument for Christian hymns in this second preface. Although Calvin raised many concerns about singing anything but "pure Scripture", Watts has redeemed hymns once again. He argues that David had to have penned new lyrics; he did not simply sing the songs of Moses and the Israelites repeatedly. He wrote songs that were appropriate for his "personal concerns" and Jewish heritage. Much of those psalms (of an imprecatory or prophetic nature) do not carry the same weight or relevance that they did in David's time anyway.

Watts's logic is important, but the Scriptures are even more so. The Psalms actually encourage us to "sing to the LORD a new song..." (Psalm 96:1) With God's word coupled with Watt's, I am much more confident in singing man-made hymns in the church. (After all, I already have to sit in a man-made chair!)