Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, by PERKINS & PURVES, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court Stereotyped by S. DOUGLAS WYETH, No. 7 Pear St. Philadelphia Printed by L ASHMEAD. BV .P95 P3 1848 PREFACE. THE versification of the Psalms by Dr. Watts, to which he gave the title, descriptive of its character, The Psalms of David imitated in the Language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian State and Worship-a work which has rendered his memory dear to a large portion of the church-is presented, in this volume, entire, and without alteration, except in the few instances of national allusion inappropriate to our country. Versifications by Dwight, Montgomery, and others, of the Psalms omitted by Dr. Watts, and of a few besides, have been inserted. Of Dr. Watts's Hymns, nearly two hundred are to be found in this collection; the design has been to omit only those which are rarely used in public worship. Those standard productions of Doddridge, Cowper, Charles Wesley, Newton, Mrs. Steele, and others, which are precious to every pious heart, have also been carefully retained. For the remainder of the selection, a laborious examination has been made of a large number of Hymn-Books, and other volumes of religious poetry, British and American, with a view to meeting, as fully as possible, the demands of worshiping assemblies, particularly in reference to special occasions. The hymns which have been written for this collection are designated as original. Alterations in language have been very sparingly allowed, especially in well known, standard hymns; and the abridgment of such hymns has been avoided with similar caution. It is proper to add that this compilation has not been prepared without much labor and much solicitude. It is now submitted to the only human test which can be decisive in such a case-the general judgment of the Christian public. NOTE BY THE PUBLISHERS. The "Parish Hymns," prepared and published in connection with this work, is a distinct collection of hymns, designed more especially for evening meetings, and other occasions of social worship. 48 Almighty Ruler of the . Amazing grace, how And is the gospel peace. 509 ... Begin my soul, th' ex. . . 290 Behold, the blind their.. 342 Behold, the morning sun, Bless, O my soul, the. ..... 201 572 625 354 564 495 331 127 Bless, O thou western .. 284 56 1* Bless'd are the souls that. 180 Bless'd are the undefiled. 235 Broad is the road that . . 511 By cool Siloam's shady.. 599 461 565 . 603 479 71 . 365 Deep in our hearts let us. 150 Dread Sovereign, let my. 309 91 525 422 93 377 Enthroned in light, . . . . 573 590 FAR as thy name is . . . . 114 Father, I bless thy gentle 247 Father, I long, I faint to. 639 Father of all, thy care we 311 |