The Psalms of David, imitated in the language of the New-Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship [and] Hymns and spiritual songs. In three books. I. Collected from the Scriptures. II. Composed on divine subjects. III. Prepared for the Lord's Supper by Watts, Isaac - 1818

Exeter, NH: J. J. Williams, printer, 1818. Square 16mo, pp. 250 (the two titles continuously paged), 5-page "Table of Hymns," 1-page "List of Subscribers;" [bound with, as issued:] A Valuable Collection of Sacred Musick, adapted to the various metres in Watts (Exeter: J. J. Williams, 1818), oblong 32mo, pp. [2], 251, 3-page "Metrical Index;" the two together, with the Psalms and Hymns bound above the Sacred Musick, making a single 8vo volume; contemporary and probably original sheepskin, thin gilt rules on spine, light wear to extremities, the whole somewhat rubbed, and the covers slightly warped; both lyrics and music with scattered light foxing, tidemarks to pastedowns and flyleaves, and the front flyleaf of Sacred Musick detached, but overall a sturdy copy of an innovatively bound hymnbook that allows for myriad combinations of melodies and words. Watts (1674-1748), "The Father of English Hymnody," was renowned for his sensitive, poetic paraphrasing of biblical verse; his Psalms of David, which first appeared in 1719, was his most popular work. In this version, one Moses Elliot lays claim to the book's ingenious format: "The public is here offered a valuable collection of approved tunes bound with Watts' Psalms, in such a manner that any tune may be presented to the eye with any psalm or hymn. This construction, the benefit of which is secured to the inventor by patent, it is believed will be found convenient for the purposes of public worship" ("Advertisement" on verso of title-page). S & S 46717.