Psalms 149:3

I beg to call the reader's attention to a proper idea on the subject of dancing, from what is here said of it, and to observe, that even from hence, if there were no other passages in the word of God concerning it, a moment's recollection might convince him, that it never could wean that frivolous, childish, and (when we consider its tendency) may we not add, too often sinful custom, used in modern times. To praise God's name in the dance, as this Psalm expresseth it, carries with it somewhat solemn, grave, and full of devotion. Thus Miriam went forth to lead the Israelitish women in the dance, after the destruction of Pharaoh at the Red Sea; and the words of the song which accompanied that dancing most decidedly prove, that nothing of a wanton or trifling nature could mingle in that solemnity: Sing ye to the Lord (saith Miriam) for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea, Exodus 15:21. Now let the reader pause, and ask himself whether the dancing recorded in Scripture was in the least similar to the dancing of modern times? Could any of the frivolous characters of the present day, among our men and women, or the young children of both sexes, while (to use the language of the prophet, with stretched forth necks, and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go) they trip it in the dance; could they be supposed to say, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done gloriously? And if such language would ill accord with their vain employments, must we not look for some better and higher meaning in the dancing referred to in Scripture? Isaiah 3:16. It hath been supposed, and the idea is not altogether destitute of propriety, that the dancing of the Scripture, was an imitation of the heavenly bodies, in the revolution of the planets. For when we consider, that, from the earliest times, the study of astronomy became not only a favorite science, but a most useful one to guide the traveler, there seems to be no small reason wherefore pious and devout minds might not be supposed to adopt some plan of exercise, which is called dancing, to express holy, joy, and thankfulness to the Lord, upon any remarkable occasion, in their solemnities; and while singing to the Lord's praise, attempt to imitate those works of the Lord, in which the fixed stars perform their regular order and motion. I do not presume to say that this was the case; but I do venture to believe, that whether the idea be founded us certainty or not, the dancing of the Scriptures was as foreign from the dancing so called of the present day, as light is opposite to darkness. And I cannot but earnestly recommend to parents of the rising generation, to discountenance a practice the reverse of all godliness, as dancing is, and rather let their young ones be taught to bend the knee before God.