Hymnwriters and Their Hymns by Samuel W Christophers and published by Classics.
Psalms of praise were the first-fruits of creation. Hymns were the earliest utterances of human nature in the morning light of the world — man's first responses to the voice of his Creator — the earth's first echoes to the music of the heavens, when “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” This world’s first love was told in hymns. Music first broke forth in psalms. The earliest recorded essays of human language are in spiritual song. Spiritual songs were the delight of the world in the days of her youth; they have been her solace during her advance towards maturity; and they will brighten the eventide and close of her life.
The foundations of the Christian Church, too, were laid amidst the hymns of her first converts. She owes the preservation of her spiritual life, and the continued purity of her belief, in a large measure, to the service of song ; and how many of her generations have left hymns as the only living memorials of their character and works.
“Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” form the native language of Christianity. The religion of the new covenant is the happy religion. It calls its people to “rejoice evermore, and in everything to give thanks.” When it is allowed to exert its proper and full influence on the human character, it regulates the affections, without destroying man's capacity for delight; it composes and cheers the soul; it banishes mere levity, and checking all vicious and boisterous mirth, it fills the mind with serene joy, and gives a tone of cheerfulness to the manners and to the voice.
— From the Introduction
