| Author |
Watts, Isaac, 1674-1748 |
| Title |
A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody
Or, An Enquiry How the Psalms of David Ought to Be Translated into Christian Songs, and How Lawful and Necessary It Is to Compose Other Hymns According to the Clearer Revelations of the Gospel, for the Use of the Christian Church.
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 55.3 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Credits |
E-text prepared by Lewis Jones
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| Summary |
"A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody" by Isaac Watts is a theological treatise written in the early 18th century. This book focuses on the practice of singing in Christian worship, particularly how the Psalms of David should be adapted and translated into hymns suitable for contemporary church settings. Watts advocates for the incorporation of both biblical and newly composed spiritual songs, arguing for a more accessible and meaningful expression of worship through music. In this essay, Watts discusses the shortcomings of the existing practices of psalm singing within Christian communities. He emphasizes the need for translations that adequately fit the structure and style of congregational singing, suggesting that this process may sometimes require altering the original text to express a more contemporary Christian message. Furthermore, he explores the necessity and legitimacy of composing new hymns based on the revelations of the Gospel, maintaining that such songs can express personal faith and the experiences of believers in ways that the ancient texts may not fully encapsulate. Ultimately, Watts calls for a vibrant and evolving practice of psalmody that aligns with the spiritual and pastoral needs of the church. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
BV: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity: Practical theology, Worship
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| LoC Class |
ML: Music: Literature of music
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| Subject |
Psalmody
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
30409 |
| Release Date |
Nov 6, 2009 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
62 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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