"Martin Luther, about the year 1517, first introduced metrical psalmody into the service of the church, which not only kept alive the enthusiasm of the reformers, but formed a rallying point for his followers.

This practice spread in all directions; and it was not long ere six thousand persons were heard singing together at St.Paul's Cross in London.

Luther was a poet and musician; but the same talent existed not in his followers.

Thirty years afterwards, Sternhold versified fifty-one of the Psalms; and in 1562, with the help of Hopkins, he completed the Psalter.

These poetical effusions were chiefly sung to German melodies, which the good taste of Luther supplied: but the Puritans, in a subsequent age, nearly destroyed these germs of melody, assigning as a reason, that music should be so simplified as to suit all persons, and that all may join."-- _Dr.Gardiner's Music of Nature_, p.