---
title: 'Hemphill on Christian Unity in Psalmody'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2025-11-23
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2025-hemphill-on-christian-unity-in-psalmody
---

# Hemphill on Christian Unity in Psalmody

“Let then the Psalms of David be the standard. They were collected into a book by one of God’s Prophets for the special use of his church — they were used by the Saviour and his Apostles, and by the church in her best and purest days both under the old and new dispensation, — they contain the truth and nothing but the truth, and when sung ‘with the spirit and with the understanding,’ cannot but be acceptable to God. Until this is done division must exist in the Christian ranks, and false and contradictory sentiments will be sung by one party or another as praise to God.

The Universal adoption of David’s Psalms throughout the churches would tend greatly to break down the middle walls of partition which divide the gentile church. — Such a measure would be calculated to promote the purity and peace of Zion, — would secure to her enlargement, and a full flow of ‘grace, mercy and peace’ from her exalted King. O! may the happy day soon arrive when the people of God shall see eye to eye on this subject, and see the truth — shall cast away their human and unauthorised effusions, and join in concert with David, with Jesus and his Apostles, and with the church in her purest days, and sing with united voice in the language of inspiration,

‘*All lands to God, in joyful sounds*,
*Aloft your voices raise*.
*Sing forth the honour of his name*,
*And glorious make his praise*.’
Psalm 66:1-2.”

— [**William R. Hemphill**](/authors/william-ramsey-hemphill), *A Discourse on Psalmody, Delivered at Bethel Church, Laurens District, S*.*C*., *August* 2, 1841 (1842), p. 28