red a free rendering of certain
passages in Isaiah.[11] The "faithful sayings" from the Epistles to
Timothy and to Titus have also been viewed in this light.[12] The passage
opening

For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him (_II Tim.
2:11-13_),

possesses a marked lyrical character. The lines beginning

Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of
lords (_I Tim. 6:15-16_),

reveal poetic features of a generally oriental style, framing the Old
Testament content. Certain digressions in the Epistles, in which formulas
of belief or of praise rise to a sure and effective climax, have the
qualities of sustained hymns:

God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
received up into glory (_I Tim. 3:16_),

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
who, when he was reviled, reviled not again;
when he suffered, he threatened not;-- -- -- --(_I Peter 2:22-25_),

above all,

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God;
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant-- -- -- --
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father (_Philippians 2: 6-11_).

Poetic refrains are obvious in the following:

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be
glory for ever (_Rom. 11:36_),

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages,
world without end (_Eph. 3:21_),

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be
honour and glory for ever and ever (_1 Tim. 1:17_).

The Apostle Paul and other writers of the New Testament, who quote freely
from a variety of sources, have used fragments of hymns to reinforce
their teachings or with a devotional purpose. One gains from such
citations a text only, or a fragment of text. Singing is not implied. The
apocalyptic vision of the _Book of Revelation_, however, contains several
magnificent hymns of praise which testify not alone to the form and
content of the early hymn but also to the practice of worship in song.
The praises of the heavenly host are