Psalm 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing you praises with understanding. Hymns help to nobler worship of God and clearer visions of His face. I. BECAUSE THEY EMBODY THE HOLY THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS OF INSPIRING AND SEEING MEN AND WOMEN. Many of the greatest hymns are the lyric expression of great experiences produced by some exceptional circumstances of the life. Cowper, by his coachman missing the way, was hindered from carrying out a plan of self-destruction which, in a season of great depression, he had formed. On his recovery he wrote the well-known hymn, "God moves in a mysterious way"; and many more such illustrations might be given. II. THEY EXPRESS GREAT THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. The most deeply religious parts of the Old Testament are its poetic books. Hymns are more moving than devotional manuals, and their rhythm makes them cling to the memory. III. THEY HAVE NEW POWER THROUGH THE MUSIC TO WHICH THEY ARE WEDDED, and — IV. THEY ARE THE NOBLEST VEHICLE FOR UNITED WORSHIP. (T. Garrett Horder.) Parallel Verses KJV: For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.WEB: For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding. |
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