The Breach Repaired - Benjamin Keach

This week's Melody Moment is a continuation of last week's post. Click here to read if you missed it!

The Repair

A faithful student of the Word, Baptist preacher Benjamin Keach labored to bring his flock a biblical sermon each week. While studying the topic of music and singing, Keach realized that not only does the Bible not condemn congregational singing but wholeheartedly encourages believers to sing (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19, Psalm 100:1).

Armitage says, “He resolved to introduce singing into his church, cost what it might. But he met with great opposition; and as his was the first church amongst the Baptists to introduce singing, so far as now appears, it is interesting to know that it was first used at the Lord’s Supper about 1673 and confined to communion occasions for about six years. Then the practice was extended to days of public thanksgiving, which practice continued about fourteen years. After about twenty years the church, with some dissent, was persuaded to sing every Lord’s Day. But even then, the brethren agreed only to sing at the close of the prayer after the sermon; and so tender were they of the consciousness of the minority, that they passed a vote not to censure those who went out and stood in the chapel yard, if they could not conscientiously stay in and hear the singing. “

However, this made no difference as dissenters left to form their own tuneless church, some continuing their attacks from afar.

Believers from other churches hounded the man. Ministers from other regions began to write treatises against the heretic pastor. But Keach was a rare breed. A faithful minister, wholly convinced that the church was done a grave disservice, would not be shaken from fulfilling the word of God. With newfound freedom afforded by the dissenter’s departure from their local body, they resolved to “let their songs abound” and lifted their voices in worship each Lord’s Day. Keach began penning a hymn each week to correspond to his sermon.


But the fight was far from over.

His church was secure in biblical worship, but what about the others who still were chained against this liberty? Thus, the faithful minister took up his pen and wrote a treatise:

“The Breach Repaired in God’s Worship, or Singing of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs proved to be a holy ordinance of Jesus Christ.”

This book further incensed those stationed against him and they renewed their attacks, but the seed was already planted. The hearts of blood-bought saints long to sing of their Beloved, and they could not continue long in silence with the door thus opened.

In time, England found her voice. The pulpits burned with fresh fervor as the saints of various denominations again took up the practice of singing. In the coming years, the need for additional ‘Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs” of quality became apparent, and men such as Isaac Watts volunteered their talents to supply the lack. While Keach did not have the blessing of seeing the full fruit of his efforts, we trust that our Holy God has not failed to reward him for his service.

One day in heaven, we will sing together in perfect harmony, with perfect hearts, in perfect worship. What a ‘foretaste of glory divine’ to join in that endless song, even now.
Below, "O Lord, 'Tis Matter of High Praise" from the pen of Benjamin Keach (1640-1704).
 
  O Lord, ’tis matter of high praise
Thy word on us doth shine;
But happy they who feel its rays,
And glorious pow’r divine.

  O let poor sinners feel their sin
Prick them, as with a sword;
And purge out all that filth within;
So will we praise thy word.

  Enlightened souls have cause to sing,
Who wounded were by thee;
True cause of joy to such doth spring;
For they, Lord, healed be;

  And now in robes, most richly decked,
They to the King are brought;
Surpassing angels; for have they
A robe so richly wrought.

  We therefore throw our crowns below
Thy high and glorious throne;
And must all say, both night and day,
Thou worthy art alone,

  All glory, pow’r, and praise to have,
By us for evermore;
Thus let us sing unto our King,
And him in heart adore.

Burrage, D.D., Henry S. Baptist Hymn Writers and Their Hymns, Brown and Thurston Company, 1888.

Armitage, D.D., Thomas. History of the Baptists, Bryan, Taylor,  & Company, 1887.

Cathcart, D.D., William. Baptist Encyclopaedia, Louis H. Everts, 1881

 

All rights reserved. Without the express written permission of the publisher, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted, whether in whole or in part, in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, storage retrieval system, recording, or any other.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.