What does the Apostle James say in reference to prayer and singing? Jas. v: 13. What feelings, then, more appropriately find expression in prayer, and what in song?

      What are psalms? Ans.--They are poetical compositions intended for singing and expressive of God's praise. Does James here refer especially to the Psalms of David? Ans.--No: his language is unlimited, and therefore it includes all psalms. Does he [75] refer to private singing, or singing in the congregation? Can you give an apostolic example of prayer and singing such as James mentions. See Acts xvi: 25.

      Was singing a part of the public worship in the days of the apostles? I Cor. xiv: 26. When Paul says, in this passage, "Every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue," etc., what does he mean Ans.--That some had one of these, and some another. Did they have hymn books at the beginning? How, then, did they get songs to sing? Ans.--They evidently sang such songs as were taught to them by those who knew old Jewish songs that were suitable, or who composed new ones.

      In what way does Paul say we should sing? I Cor. xiv: 15. What is meant by singing with the spirit? If we sing without thinking of the meaning of the song, do we sing with the spirit? If we do not try to make the sentiment of the song our own, do we sing with the spirit? What two things are necessary, then, to singing with the spirit?

      What is it to sing with the understanding? Ans.--As explained by the next verse, it means to sing so as to be understood. For whose benefit are we to sing besides our own? Does the benefit, either to ourselves or others, lie in the music alone? What is the real advantage of singing over or merely reciting the words of the song?

      Repeat what Paul says to the Ephesians about singing. Eph. v: 18, 19. What is meant by "speaking to yourselves?" Ans.--It here means speaking to one another.

      What is the difference between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs? Ans.--The [76] difference is not very clearly defined: they are all songs of a religious character.

      What is meant by "singing and making melody in the heart?" Ans.--Singing with the voice and accompanying this with corresponding feeling in the heart.

      Repeat what Paul says to the Colossians on this subject. Col. iii: 16. What benefit to one another is mentioned here? How do we teach one another in songs? How do we admonish one another?

      Where Paul uses the expression, "singing with melody in the heart," in Ephesians, what expression does he use here? What is it to sing with grace in the heart? Ans.--Grace in God is favor to us; in us, it is thankfulness towards him. Here it means singing with thankfulness in the heart.

      Could we know that singing would be acceptable worship if God had not so informed us? As we are dependent on what he reveals for our knowledge of acceptable worship, ought we to do anything in worship for which we have not a Thus saith the Lord? Have we any authority in the New Testament for instrumental music in the worship? Were instruments employed in the Jewish worship? As they were employed in the Jewish worship and omitted in the Christian worship, what does this show as to God's will in the matter?

[FBL 75-77]