30 PREFACE. maintain the great principle on which my present work is founded; and that is, that if the brightest genius on earth, or an angel from heaven, should translate David, and keep close to the sense and style of the inspired author, we should only obtain thereby a bright or heavenly copy of the devotions of the Jewish king but it could never make the fittest psalm book for a Christian people. It was not my design to exalt myself to the rank and glory of poets; but I was ambitious to be a servant to the . churches and a helper to the joy of the meanest Christian. Though there are many gone before me, who have taught the Hebrew psalmist to speak English, yet I think I may assume this pleasure of being the first who hath brought down the royal author into the common affairs of the Christian life, and led the psalmist of Israel into the church of Christ, without any thing of a Jew about him. And whensoever there shall appear any paraphrase of the book of psalms, that retains more of the savour of David's piety, discovers more of the style and spirit of the gospel, with a superior dignity of verse, and yet the lines as easy and flowing and the sense and language as level to the lowest capacity, I shall congratulate the world, and consent to say, Let this attempt of mine be buried in silence. 'Till such a work arise, 1 most attend these evangelic songs, which have been the labour of so many years, with a devout wish. May that God who has favoured me with life and capacity to finish this work for the service of his churches, after so many years of tiresome sickness and confine- ment, accept this humble offering from a thankful heart. May the Lord, who dwelt of old amidst the praises of Israel, encourage and bless this essay, to assist Christians in the work of praise! And may his churches exalt him here on earth in the language of his gospel and his grace, till they shall be called up to heaven, and the noble society above ! There David and Asaph have changed their ancient, style, and the song of Moses and of the Lamb are one: There the Jews join with the nations to exalt their God and Redeemer in the language of angels, and in the strains of complete glory. Amen.
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