Bring back psalm singing

Here in the U.S. the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America uses exclusive psalmody. Other Presbyterian bodies such as the more conservative ones (Orthodox Presbyterian and Presbyterian Church of America) have some Psalms in their hymnals, but rarely sing them. A few other Reformed bodies such as the Reformed Baptists sing Psalms, but that tends to be at a congregational level.

My own church (Open Brethren) uses the entire Psalter along with two hymnals and a praise chorus book. One advantage is that none of the young people complain that we only sing the same hymns over and over and don't have anything else to sing.

I am a great proponent of singing the Psalms. Which Psalter do you use? We use the one published by the RPCNA.

Scottish Knight said:

Sadly my church (Baptist) doesn't use any psalters and I don't know about the different versions. Only the traditional presbyterians still use them in Scotland. I was just reading through them in my Bible and thinking its a shame they're no longer sung.

Great to hear that there are churches still using them in a non-exclusive way!

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If you like, PM me with your address and I will mail you a copy of the RPCNA Psalter. You can also go to their webite here and order directly. Ours is the maroon one.

Psalter Tunes: index

My congregation sings 2 Psalms and 2 hymns every Lord's Day. Many churches in my denomination (PCA) sing psalms, some practice exclusive psalmody. Also, there are churches in the URCNA that sing psalms, some exclusively.

Scottish Knight said:

Does your church sing psalms? The only denomination that I know still sing them are the wee frees (Free Church of Scotland). I think its a bit sad that most churches no longer sing them. The psalms, after all, were written to be sung and singing is a good way to memorise scripture. Unfortunately the Free church don't believe in singing anything else. Its as if the denominations have become polarised between two extremes. There are some fantastic modern worship songs, there are some great hymns and there are the neglected inspired psalms. Surely churches should utilise all three?

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Something you might want to check out is something called "Sacred Harp Singing". I know they will occasionally sing Psalms.

You can find it on Google and I think Youtube has several clips.

Scottish Knight said:

Does your church sing psalms? The only denomination that I know still sing them are the wee frees (Free Church of Scotland). I think its a bit sad that most churches no longer sing them. The psalms, after all, were written to be sung and singing is a good way to memorise scripture. Unfortunately the Free church don't believe in singing anything else. Its as if the denominations have become polarised between two extremes. There are some fantastic modern worship songs, there are some great hymns and there are the neglected inspired psalms. Surely churches should utilise all three?

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One of the churches in our presbytery, First Orthodox Presbyterian Church in San Francisco (I know--can you believe there's an OPC congregation in the City?), practices exclusive psalmody if I recall correctly. Sadly, they have also been without a pastor for several years because of it. On the other hand, I don't think any of the pastors in our denomination would have a problem with singing psalms as well as hymns. I know I'm not opposed to it. In fact, I think the denomination is working on a new Psalter/Hymnal that's supposed to be presented in 2011 or something like that.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

Jon_ said:

One of the churches in our presbytery, First Orthodox Presbyterian Church in San Francisco (I know--can you believe there's an OPC congregation in the City?), practices exclusive psalmody if I recall correctly. Sadly, they have also been without a pastor for several years because of it. On the other hand, I don't think any of the pastors in our denomination would have a problem with singing psalms as well as hymns. I know I'm not opposed to it. In fact, I think the denomination is working on a new Psalter/Hymnal that's supposed to be presented in 2011 or something like that.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

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Wow, it would be very interesting to see that hymnal. I find that the OPC publishing arm puts out quite a bit of helpful information.

The PCUSA, which is the largest Presbyterian church in the US, has a large section in the hymnal, containing settings of many (maybe most, but I don't have one here) of the psalms. Obviously it's up to individual congregations how often they are used. I would hope they are used regularly.

YouTube - Gaelic psalms at Back Free Church, Isle Of Lewis- 20/21/oct/2003
I'm a Baptist who believes we should sing more Psalms in our worship services.

YouTube - Out of the depths Psalm 130 Scottish Psalter 1650
My AV from the Trinitarian Bible Society has the 1650 Scottish Psalter in the back so I use it for my devotional time.

I would like to see more traditional singing done in the churches, it doesn't have to be one style all the time.

Lined-Out Singing is powerful, same with shaped note singing.
YouTube - A Poor Wayfaring Stranger

Scottish Knight said:

Wow, from the posts so far it seems psalmody isn't as dead as I thought it was , maybe it's because I don't move in calvinist circles very much (I tend to move in evangelical Baptist circles where it seems to have died off)

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AMR's church practices exclusive psalmody.

I belong to the FRCNA (Free Reformed Church of North America) and we exclusively sing Psalms - our Psalter is printed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I can get you more info. if you would like.

I’m buddies with a minister who is leaning toward Psalms only no instruments. I'm all for singing Psalms but Psalms only seems little off to me. I lean toward no instruments.