SINGERS

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SINGERS
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Inspiration
The Psalms The hymns of the Early Christians
were the psalms. we drink divine praise at its
pure and stainless source, in all its primitive
sincerity and perfection. Thomas
Merton Where does one find finer words of joy
than in the psalms of praise and thanksgiving?
There you look into the hearts of all the saints,
as into fair and pleasant gardens, yes, as into
heaven itself. Martin Luther Examples Ps
421 Ps 83-5 Ps 62,6 Ps 471-2,5-6
Revelation Envision a never ending chorus of
the heavenly host - angels, archangels, and
saints. Praise is not merely some noble endeavor
for today but an anticipation of our eternal
vocation. Examples Rev 48 Rev 512-13 Rev
196-7
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Dante Alighieri
Born in Florence, Italy, he lived from 1265 to
1321. Taught himself to write verse while friend
of troubadours in his youth. Was a political
leader until bogus charges led him to be exiled
in Ravenna. Said his purpose was to lift people
from misery into happiness.
His famous poem Commedia The title (Comedy
in English) literally means a rustic song.
Was written in the Italian rustic vernacular,
not Latin. Comedy always has a happy ending.
Three sections Inferno (Hell), Purgatory,
Paradise Describes a pilgrims journey to
salvation (akin to Bunyans Pilgrims
Progress) Famous verse describes sign at
entry to Hell Abandon every hope, all you who
enter Led by human understanding at first,
then divine revelation.
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Martin Luther
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Isaac Watts
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Charles Wesley
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John Newton
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Frances Fanny Crosby
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Others