Now that I’m calmed down a bit… Psalm-singing is surely something that we can all agree on- it’s the Word itself- and the metrical ones are simply perfect for a big group of people to sing together. Just keep telling yourself:

“One down- 149 to go…”

Of course, #119 is usually sung over a period of weeks!

1) I believe the Bible commands us to sing our own songs to God.
Some may say that the Scriptures do not tell us to sing “un-inspired” songs, but I believe they do. There are many examples of spontaneous singing of Praise to God in the Scriptures. Yet we are told that we must believe that those who sang spontaneous songs that were recorded were justified in doing so because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. That is fine, but it is the flip side I have a problem with: we must believe that those who sang songs that were not recorded were all singing from the Psalter. So Miriam, Hannah, Deborah and Balak, Mary, Zachariah, and many others sang spontaneously, but Paul and Silas did not? It is precisely because of these examples, and because of commands from the Psalter itself (see Psalm 149Psalm 149
[149:1]Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
[2]Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
[3]Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
[4]For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
[5]Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
[6]Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
[7]to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
[8]to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
[9]to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the LORD!

– a command for spontaneous eruption of praise to God, even on our beds!) that I believe we must create new songs of praise to God, and do so in a humble spirit, acknowledging that they, like us, are imperfect, uninspired words and melodies.

2) It does not seem possible to maintain a consistency with this view without making a complete distinction between corporate worship and private worship. There are, no doubt, practical differences, but the differences should not be incompatible.
I believe that the Scriptures teach that corporate worship should be the joining of many private worshipers. That is, those who worship God in private, seeking to join their voices together in worship as a unified body. It is the “two or three gathered together” principle.
Even in Calvin’s introduction to the Genevan Psalter, he seems to argue that corporate worship (singing) should be a mirror of private worship (singing):
“And yet the practice of singing may extend more widely; it is even in the homes and in the fields an incentive for us, as it were, an organ of praise to God,…”
His distinction (made later) is rather with songs to “amuse” vs. songs of worship (a distinction most of us would agree with), not songs of private worship vs. songs of public worship.
If one does see the two as completely different in all aspects, then, at least they can have some consistency, but I don’t see that in the Bible. I believe God deliberately did not tell us what to sing, just like he did not tell us other aspects of church worship and life.
However, if one maintains that they are related, but believes that the regulative principle dictates Psalter only worship, then how can they consistently apply that principle other areas of church life and worship?
How can they properly take the Lord’s Supper? They certainly cannot claim to take it in exactly the same manner as did Christ, or the early church (though few would deny it is an act of worship). Or… is it wrong to be baptized anywhere other than a river (which seems to be the only place of baptism mentioned in the Scriptures)? Why do we not meet on the Sabbath?

3) To use 2 Chronicles 29:302 Chronicles 29:30
[30]And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded
the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of
David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with
gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. (ESV)

as a statement that requires us to sing only from the Psalms, seems akin to using Colossians 4:15Colossians 4:15
[15]Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and
to Nympha and the church in her house. (ESV)

, which says, “Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house” as a requirement for churches to meet only in a woman’s house.

4) One must assume that David, Asaph, Solomon, Moses, and others, did NOT write any other hymns that are not included in the canon. This seems unlikely, at best. Obviously, if they did (and I believe there were many others written), they were not inspired. It would then have to be argued that Israel was wrong to sing them.

I have several other reasons but it is late, and this has gone much longer than I planned. Thanks again for all the good reading.

Another question for Psalm singers: If we must only sing the Psalms, why do some change the Psalms to make them singable? I find this in the Bible Song book that my denomination used to use (and many still love).

It’s obvious that we won’t be convincing anyone at each end of the spectrum.

God is a gracious, loving and understanding God. I truly believe that if one extreme is wrong, it won’t result in any fall from grace or even God’s rejecting of our heartfelt, loving response to our loving God, no matter the basis of our offering. How could a Father who operates in such grace reject gifts of the heart given by His children? (I guess one could argue that in my sincerity I could be sincerely wrong)

I didn’t plan to, but I guess I’ve revealed my position.

I hope this makes sense. It’s the middle of the night right now after traveling from the States to Europe and I couldn’t sleep. I apologize for any incoherency.

What does that mean?

Sorry for asking so many questions, but I really am curious.

and

[quote] 2 Chronicles 29:302 Chronicles 29:30
[30]And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded
the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of
David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with
gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. (ESV)

, one of the chief texts upon which I rely for such assertions.[/quote]

I think most will agree that where Scripture is clear, it is clear, and we need to quickly adhere to scripture. However, I am not personally seeing people trying to make a Scriptural mandate “circumstantial” as you describe it, rather the question is whether or not there IS such a scriptural mandate in the first place. My tendency is to believe that you have not presented a compelling case that there is a scriptural mandate for exclusive psalmody.

Solid doctrine is rarely formed based on one verse of Scripture. When it is (such as the case of, say, the Sixth Commandments prohibiting murder), it is clearly supported not only in the remainder of Scripture, but in the very character and nature of God Himself.

In my admittedly limited view, I do not see a scriptural “Mandate” for exclusive psalmody. My personal view is that this approach does not have sufficient Scriptural support, and is not supported by what I understand to be Character and Nature of God.

Two practical thoughts / questions.

When the Disciples finished the Lord’s Supper in the upper room, Matthew 26Matthew 26
[26:1]When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said
to his disciples, [2]"You know that after two days the
Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up
to be crucified."
[3]Then the chief priests and the elders of the people
gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was
Caiaphas, [4]and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus
by stealth and kill him. [5]But they said, "Not during the
feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."
[6]Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon
the leper, [7]a woman came up to him with an alabaster
flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his
head as he reclined at table. [8]And when the disciples saw
it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? [9]For
this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the
poor." [10]But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do
you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing
to me. [11]For you always have the poor with you, but you
will not always have me. [12]In pouring this ointment on my
body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. [13]Truly,
I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the
whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory
of her."
[14]Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas
Iscariot, went to the chief priests [15]and said, "What
will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they
paid him thirty pieces of silver. [16]And from that moment
he sought an opportunity to betray him.
[17]Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the
disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us
prepare for you to eat the Passover?" [18]He said, "Go into
the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher
says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your
house with my disciples.'" [19]And the disciples did as
Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
[20]When it was evening, he reclined at table with the
twelve. [21]And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say
to you, one of you will betray me." [22]And they were very
sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it
I, Lord?" [23]He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in
the dish with me will betray me. [24]The Son of Man goes as
it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son
of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man
if he had not been born." [25]Judas, who would betray him,
answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said
so."
[26]Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after
blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and
said, "Take, eat; this is my body." [27]And he took a cup,
and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying,
"Drink of it, all of you, [28]for this is my blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness
of sins. [29]I tell you I will not drink again of this
fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with
you in my Father's kingdom."
[30]And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the
Mount of Olives. [31]Then Jesus said to them, "You will all
fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I
will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will
be scattered.' [32]But after I am raised up, I will go
before you to Galilee." [33]Peter answered him, "Though
they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."
[34]Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night,
before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
[35]Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will
not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same.
[36]Then Jesus went with them to a place called
Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while
I go over there and pray." [37]And taking with him Peter
and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and
troubled. [38]Then he said to them, "My soul is very
sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me."
[39]And going a little farther he fell on his face and
prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup
pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you
will." [40]And he came to the disciples and found them
sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch
with me one hour? [41]Watch and pray that you may not enter
into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak." [42]Again, for the second time, he went
away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I
drink it, your will be done." [43]And again he came and
found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44]So,
leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third
time, saying the same words again. [45]Then he came to the
disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later
on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is
betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46]Rise, let us be
going; see, my betrayer is at hand."
[47]While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the
twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs,
from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
[48]Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The
one I will kiss is the man; seize him." [49]And he came up
to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he
kissed him. [50]Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you
came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and
seized him. [51]And behold, one of those who were with
Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck
the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
[52]Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its
place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
[53]Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he
will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
[54]But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that
it must be so?" [55]At that hour Jesus said to the crowds,
"Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and
clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple
teaching, and you did not seize me. [56]But all this has
taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be
fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
[57]Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas
the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had
gathered. [58]And Peter was following him at a distance, as
far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside
he sat with the guards to see the end. [59]Now the chief
priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony
against Jesus that they might put him to death, [60]but
they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.
At last two came forward [61]and said, "This man said, 'I
am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in
three days.'" [62]And the high priest stood up and said,
"Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men
testify against you?" [63]But Jesus remained silent. And
the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living
God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
[64]Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you,
from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right
hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." [65]Then
the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered
blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now
heard his blasphemy. [66]What is your judgment?" They
answered, "He deserves death." [67]Then they spit in his
face and struck him. And some slapped him, [68]saying,
"Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"
[69]Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And
a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with
Jesus the Galilean." [70]But he denied it before them all,
saying, "I do not know what you mean." [71]And when he went
out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she
said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of
Nazareth." [72]And again he denied it with an oath: "I do
not know the man." [73]After a little while the bystanders
came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of
them, for your accent betrays you." [74]Then he began to
invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the
man." And immediately the rooster crowed. [75]And Peter
remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows,
you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept
bitterly. (ESV)

tells us “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” What hymn did they sing? We’re not told.

My second question is: If the Psalms are to be sung exclusively, what melodies are we to use? What style should we sing in? There are no notes or chords in the Bible. If there is a mandate that we should sing only Psalms, then there should be a mandate that tells us HOW to sing the Psalms. If the Psalms themselves alone are ordained to us for our Worship, then this seems to be the critical missing link.

This occurs within the context of Hezekiah’s reformation of worship which occurred during his reign. Only a few verses before, we read, “And he (Hezekiah) set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets” (v. 25). And just a few verses later, we read, “So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order” (v. 35). We must therefore see his command as an echo of the divine command to sing the Psalms. The full description of this reformation occurs in chapters 29 through 31. Chapter 31 concludes, “And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” ( 2 Chron. 31:20, 212 Chronicles 31:20
[20]Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did
what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his
God. (ESV)

).

Hope this helps.