“Poetry and music are never better employed than when they unite in the celebration of the praise of God. ‘Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs’ have accordingly constituted a prominent part in the public worship of the Church in all ages. The Israelites, when delivered from their Egyptian pursuers, expressed in this way their gratitude and joy. The daily services of the Temple at Jerusalem were replete with vocal and instrumental music. Our Lord closed the celebration of His last supper with an hymn. The Apostles frequently inculcated this devotional exercise on their converts; and it was while Paul and Silas were practising it in prison that God came to cheer and deliver them.”
Henry Francis Lyte in his “Preface” to The Spirit of the Psalms, Or, The Psalms of David Adapted to Christian Worship, 4th edition
Note: Lyte is using “the Church” in a different sense than I would, which includes Old Testament Israel. Nevertheless, I feel the overall quote is a good one.
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