Bible Hymnal Borrowed
I have a National Comprehensive Family Bible dated July 1851 which contains a section entitled "The Psalms of David in Metre". Many of the Psalms are word for word the same as those attributed to Dwight Armstrong in the WCG hymnal. Others vary only slightly.
I quote from this section in this Bible: "Translated and diligently compared with the original text and former translations. More plain, smooth and agreeable to the text than any heretofore. Allowed by the authority of the General Assembly of the Kirk [church] of Scotland and appointed to be sung in congregations and families."
Here are two examples from the National Comprehensive Family Bible:
"How excellent in all the earth
Lord our Lord is thy name
Who hast thy glory far advanced
Above the starry frame."
[continues same as WCG page 7]
"When Isr'el out of Egypt went
and did his dwelling change
When Jacob's house went out from those
That were of language strange,
[continues same as WCG page 86]
Sound familiar?
—Ron Whiteman
It is always amazing to hear former WCG members say, "I’m not going to sing Protestant hymns written by Sunday-keepers!" They do not realize that Dwight Armstrong was never a member of the WCG or a Sabbath keeper. The message of his music was good because it came directly from Scripture. But even today, many other Sunday-keepers are writing new hymns with the message taken directly from Scripture. —NSE