I started this post last Friday as a Q&A Friday, but never finished it. Oh well…

Jacob sent me this question:

What is your take on the exclusive use of Psalms in worship?…Since the Psalms were the only Spirit-inspired songs given to the people of God, and because instrument use in the Old Testament is tied to ceremonial law (which was done away with in the New Testament), the belief is that true corporate worship in song is comprised of Psalm singing without instrumentation. Also, it is noted that there are no commands to write uninspired songs of worship in the Bible. What do you think?

The other day, Don left a comment also asking what I thought about the Psalms in worship, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to answer both questions.

Jacob is referring to "exclusive Psalmody" - the belief that Christians should only use the book of Psalms for congregational worship. Believe it or not, up until the mid-18th century, most Protestant churches practiced exclusive Psalmody. Today, it’s most often associated with some Presbyterian and Reformed churches that follow the regulative principle of worship, although not all churches that adhere to the regulative principle practice exclusive psalmody.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was used by God in a unique way to introduce songs of praise other than Psalms to the church (although he also "Christianized" 138 of the Psalms). He felt the church should sing songs based on Scripture that were “freely composed,” including Scriptural references and subjective responses to the truths being sung. He believed that the Psalms, as valuable as they are in Christian worship, were insufficient to express the full range of Christian experience. In the Preface to his Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707), he pointed out the value and divine nature of the Psalms, but went on to show their inadequacy for fully Christian worship:

There are a thousand Lines in it which were not made for a Saint in our Day, to assume as his own; There are also many deficiencies of Light and Glory which our Lord Jesus and his Apostles have supplied in the Writings of the New Testament; and with this Advantage I have composed these spiritual Songs which are now presented to the World.

I’ve never found the arguments for only singing the Psalms very compelling. Here are a few reasons why.

1. God never tells us in Scripture to use only the Psalms when we sing his praise. The book of Revelation contains songs of praise that are distinct from the Psalms, and it’s impossible to prove that Paul was only speaking of the book of Psalms when he instructed us to sing "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" ( Col. 3:16Colossians 3:16 [16]Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (ESV)
   
   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.
   ).
2. There are Spirit-inspired hymns of praise to God written both before and after the Psalms ( Ex. 15Exodus 15 [15:1]Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. [2]The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. [3]The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. [4]"Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. [5]The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. [6]Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. [7]In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble. [8]At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. [9]The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.' [10]You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. [11]"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? [12]You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. [13]"You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. [14]The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. [15]Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. [16]Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. [17]You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. [18]The LORD will reign forever and ever." [19]For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. [20]Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. [21]And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea." [22]Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. [23]When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. [24]And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" [25]And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, [26]saying, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer." [27]Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water. (ESV)
   
   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.
   ; Lk. 1:46-55Luke 1:46-55 [46]And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, [47]and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, [48]for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; [49]for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. [50]And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. [51]He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; [52]he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; [53]he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. [54]He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, [55]as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
   
   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.
   ).
3. If God allows us to pray with our own words and preach with our own words in meetings, it follows that we should be able to sing with our own words. Nowhere in Scripture does God say that we can only use his exact words when singing to him.
4. I’m not sure God intended us to sing all of the Psalms in corporate worship. As far as we know, that wasn’t the practice of the first century synagogues or churches. Many Psalms are individualistic in nature, some are filled with Old Testament temple imagery, and others call for the destruction of Israel’s national enemies.
5. Most importantly, the Psalms only foreshadow the reality of our salvation, which is Christ. They only hint at the glorious realities of the Jesus’ incarnation, his perfect life, his substitutionary death, his resurrection, and his ascension to the Father’s right hand. How can we not specifically celebrate so great a salvation?

There are other reasons to forego singing only the Psalms in worship. But just because we’re not restricted to the Psalms doesn’t mean we should never sing them. Besides, the Psalms tell us a great deal about how we should sing, pray, and relate to God.

But I’ll save my thoughts on that for another post. 

14 Comments »

1. Good one Bob,

   This particular subj. has never really come up around here, but it was really great hearing what you had to say. I agree 100% that the Psalms have so much to offer in praise that it’s a joy to sing them off and on… but it’s not the only thing we can sing when we do.

   Comment by Cass — March 20, 2007 @ 9:36 pm

2. Bob,

   Thanks for the post, it’s interesting to read your thoughts on the matter.
   I have come from an exclusive Psalmody background, but now worship in a church that sings psalms as well as modern hymns/songs.

   One point I believe should be made however is that today I see a trend to never sing the Psalms, or sing them so rarely that I don’t think we are adhering to Paul’s exhortation in Colossians 3Colossians 3
   [3:1]If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the
   things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right
   hand of God. [2]Set your minds on things that are above,
   not on things that are on earth. [3]For you have died, and
   your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4]When Christ who
   is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in
   glory.
   [5]Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual
   immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and
   covetousness, which is idolatry. [6]On account of these the
   wrath of God is coming. [7]In these you too once walked,
   when you were living in them. [8]But now you must put them
   all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk
   from your mouth. [9]Do not lie to one another, seeing that
   you have put off the old self with its practices [10]and
   have put on the new self, which is being renewed in
   knowledge after the image of its creator. [11]Here there is
   not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
   barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in
   all.
   [12]Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
   compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and
   patience, [13]bearing with one another and, if one has a
   complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the
   Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14]And
   above all these put on love, which binds everything
   together in perfect harmony. [15]And let the peace of
   Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called
   in one body. And be thankful. [16]Let the word of Christ
   dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another
   in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual
   songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17]And
   whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name
   of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
   him.
   [18]Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the
   Lord. [19]Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh
   with them. [20]Children, obey your parents in everything,
   for this pleases the Lord. [21]Fathers, do not provoke your
   children, lest they become discouraged. [22]Slaves, obey in
   everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way
   of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of
   heart, fearing the Lord. [23]Whatever you do, work
   heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24]knowing that
   from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your
   reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. [25]For the
   wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and
   there is no partiality. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   v16, and Ephesians 5Ephesians 5
   [5:1]Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
   [2]And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up
   for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
   [3]But sexual immorality and all impurity or
   covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper
   among saints. [4]Let there be no filthiness nor foolish
   talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead
   let there be thanksgiving. [5]For you may be sure of this,
   that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is
   covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the
   kingdom of Christ and God. [6]Let no one deceive you with
   empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
   comes upon the sons of disobedience. [7]Therefore do not
   become partners with them; [8]for at one time you were
   darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as
   children of light [9](for the fruit of light is found in
   all that is good and right and true), [10]and try to
   discern what is pleasing to the Lord. [11]Take no part in
   the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
   [12]For it is shameful even to speak of the things that
   they do in secret. [13]But when anything is exposed by the
   light, it becomes visible, [14]for anything that becomes
   visible is light. Therefore it says,
   "Awake, O sleeper,
   and arise from the dead,
   and Christ will shine on you."
   [15]Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but
   as wise, [16]making the best use of the time, because the
   days are evil. [17]Therefore do not be foolish, but
   understand what the will of the Lord is. [18]And do not get
   drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with
   the Spirit, [19]addressing one another in psalms and hymns
   and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord
   with your heart, [20]giving thanks always and for
   everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
   Christ, [21]submitting to one another out of reverence for
   Christ.
   [22]Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
   [23]For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ
   is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its
   Savior. [24]Now as the church submits to Christ, so also
   wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
   [25]Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the
   church and gave himself up for her, [26]that he might
   sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water
   with the word, [27]so that he might present the church to
   himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such
   thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28]In
   the same way husbands should love their wives as their own
   bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29]For no one
   ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
   just as Christ does the church, [30]because we are members
   of his body. [31]"Therefore a man shall leave his father
   and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall
   become one flesh." [32]This mystery is profound, and I am
   saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
   [33]However, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
   and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   v19. As you commented “But just because we’re not restricted to the Psalms doesn’t mean we should never sing them.”

   As a PS - I would encourage you to investigate the different headings/definitions given to the “songs” in the book of Psalms. There are some that are defined as “songs”, and there is some evidence to suggest that the “hymn” that Jesus and the disciples sung following that last Passover was Psalm 116Psalm 116
   [116:1]I love the LORD, because he has heard
   my voice and my pleas for mercy.
   [2]Because he inclined his ear to me,
   therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
   [3]The snares of death encompassed me;
   the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
   I suffered distress and anguish.
   [4]Then I called on the name of the LORD:
   "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"
   [5]Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
   our God is merciful.
   [6]The LORD preserves the simple;
   when I was brought low, he saved me.
   [7]Return, O my soul, to your rest;
   for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
   [8]For you have delivered my soul from death,
   my eyes from tears,
   my feet from stumbling;
   [9]I will walk before the LORD
   in the land of the living.
   [10]I believed, even when I spoke,
   "I am greatly afflicted";
   [11]I said in my alarm,
   "All mankind are liars."
   [12]What shall I render to the LORD
   for all his benefits to me?
   [13]I will lift up the cup of salvation
   and call on the name of the LORD,
   [14]I will pay my vows to the LORD
   in the presence of all his people.
   [15]Precious in the sight of the LORD
   is the death of his saints.
   [16]O LORD, I am your servant;
   I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
   You have loosed my bonds.
   [17]I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
   and call on the name of the LORD.
   [18]I will pay my vows to the LORD
   in the presence of all his people,
   [19]in the courts of the house of the LORD,
   in your midst, O Jerusalem.
   Praise the LORD!

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   - Psalm 118Psalm 118
   [118:1]Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   for his steadfast love endures forever!
   [2]Let Israel say,
   "His steadfast love endures forever."
   [3]Let the house of Aaron say,
   "His steadfast love endures forever."
   [4]Let those who fear the LORD say,
   "His steadfast love endures forever."
   [5]Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
   the LORD answered me and set me free.
   [6]The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
   What can man do to me?
   [7]The LORD is on my side as my helper;
   I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
   [8]It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in man.
   [9]It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in princes.
   [10]All nations surrounded me;
   in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
   [11]They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
   in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
   [12]They surrounded me like bees;
   they went out like a fire among thorns;
   in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
   [13]I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
   but the LORD helped me.
   [14]The LORD is my strength and my song;
   he has become my salvation.
   [15]Glad songs of salvation
   are in the tents of the righteous:
   "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
   [16]the right hand of the LORD exalts,
   the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
   [17]I shall not die, but I shall live,
   and recount the deeds of the LORD.
   [18]The LORD has disciplined me severely,
   but he has not given me over to death.
   [19]Open to me the gates of righteousness,
   that I may enter through them
   and give thanks to the LORD.
   [20]This is the gate of the LORD;
   the righteous shall enter through it.
   [21]I thank you that you have answered me
   and have become my salvation.
   [22]The stone that the builders rejected
   has become the cornerstone.
   [23]This is the LORD's doing;
   it is marvelous in our eyes.
   [24]This is the day that the LORD has made;
   let us rejoice and be glad in it.
   [25]Save us, we pray, O LORD!
   O LORD, we pray, give us success!
   [26]Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
   We bless you from the house of the LORD.
   [27]The LORD is God,
   and he has made his light to shine upon us.
   Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
   up to the horns of the altar!
   [28]You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
   you are my God; I will extol you.
   [29]Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   for his steadfast love endures forever!

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   .

   Comment by Don — March 20, 2007 @ 11:51 pm

3. Bob:

   Thank you for another thoughtful and helpful post. The thing that has always struck me about exclusive Psalmnody is that if we are only to sing the Psalms it means we would never actually sing the name of Jesus Christ. It is difficult to imagine that the God who has exalted the name of Jesus above every name intended His Son’s name never be sung by His people.

   Allan

   Comment by Allan — March 21, 2007 @ 9:03 am

4. Bob, thanks for your post.In heaven we will also be singing “new” songs before the throne.
   It’s amazing to see what a biblical word search on “singing a new song” will yield. I got 12 hits. Thanks for all you do. I look forward to each post! Paul

   Comment by Paul Hayes — March 21, 2007 @ 5:11 pm

5. I came from a hymn-singing background, but became convinced of exclusive psalmody several years ago, and am now a member in the RPCNA. A few thoughts:

   1. The fact that God has appointed the Psalter to serve as a hymnbook for His people demonstrates that His regulation of song in worship extends to which particular songs or songbook will be used.

   2. None of the songs in Scripture appearing outside of the Psalter, whether in the Old or New Testament, have been appointed by God to be sung in worship, as the Psalter has been appointed (see 2 Chron. 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)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ).

   3. Preaching and prayer are elements of worship distinct from singing God’s praise, and are regulated in ways different than this part of worship. Besides, “The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear” is another element of worship, as well as these others (WCF 21.5); but no one supposes that we may add our own words to Scripture. If we may not add books or chapters to the Bible, why would we be allowed to add songs to God’s perfect hymnbook, the Psalter?

   4. The book, as a whole, is called “Sepher Tehillim” — “Book of Praises,” or “Book of Hymns.” Additionally, the statement in 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)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   , that they should “sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer,” is clearly a reference to the Psalter as a whole, not singling out particular Psalms as suitable or unsuitable. And if you will say the Psalms are not all suitable to be sung, why not say they are unsuitable to be read as well?

   5. Christ and His apostles found the Psalter to be a sufficient manual of praise. If it were not sufficient, but had to be supplemented by later, new covenant hymns, then God Himself would supply the supposed defect, and add inspired songs to His inspired Psalter. The fact that He has not done so demonstrates that there is no such deficiency in the Psalter.

   6. When we sing the Psalms “with understanding,” we sing of Christ our Saviour, from the Perfect Man of Psalm 1Psalm 1
   [1:1]Blessed is the man
   who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
   nor stands in the way of sinners,
   nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
   [2]but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
   and on his law he meditates day and night.
   [3]He is like a tree
   planted by streams of water
   that yields its fruit in its season,
   and its leaf does not wither.
   In all that he does, he prospers.
   [4]The wicked are not so,
   but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
   [5]Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
   nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
   [6]for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
   but the way of the wicked will perish.

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   , to the final “Praise ye the LORD” of Psalm 150Psalm 150
   [150:1]Praise the LORD!
   Praise God in his sanctuary;
   praise him in his mighty heavens!
   [2]Praise him for his mighty deeds;
   praise him according to his excellent greatness!
   [3]Praise him with trumpet sound;
   praise him with lute and harp!
   [4]Praise him with tambourine and dance;
   praise him with strings and pipe!
   [5]Praise him with sounding cymbals;
   praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
   [6]Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
   Praise the LORD!

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   . It is sheer sentimentalism, and nothing more, which adds uninspired hymns to God’s perfect Psalter, because none of them contain the bare word “Jesus,” though they are full of the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

   God gave us His Word; and with and in that word, God gave us a hymnbook. His Word is our only inspired rule of faith and life (Sola Scriptura); and His hymnbook is our only authorized collection of compositions from which to sing His praise (Solum Psalterium).

   God bless!

   Comment by Sean McDonald — March 21, 2007 @ 9:53 pm

6. I’d like to throw my support behind Sean McDonald’s comments, and maybe add a few of my own. I should say I’m a pastor of an RPCNA church, committed to exclusive psalmody.

   1. The debate doesn’t begin with “only psalms or not?” but with the regulative principle. You either must believe that we are free to do in worship whatever is not prohibited, or you are only free to do that which is commanded by God. Those holding to EP obviously begin with the second view, the regulative principle. If one isn’t committed to the RP, this debate almost becomes moot.

   2. If you begin with the RP, then the burden of proof is not on those holding to EP, but on those wishing to introduce uninspired songs into worship. We know that we are to sing psalms ( Col 3:16Colossians 3:16
   [16]Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching
   and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms
   and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your
   hearts to God. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ; Ps. 47:7Psalm 47:7
   [7]For God is the King of all the earth;
   sing praises with a psalm!

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ), so psalm-singing should be our basic assumption. Only when God explicitly commands the composing of new songs should we presume to do so.

   3. Re: preaching and praying. For both preaching and praying we have command and example for new covenant believers. Paul instructs us to pray “with every kind of request” ( Eph. 6:18Ephesians 6:18
   [18]praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer
   and supplication. To that end keep alert with all
   perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ) and we see the apostles proclaiming the word uniquely to unique contexts and individuals. But we simply do not see the apostles or early church composing and singing new praise to God. Is this simply Luke’s oversight? Or, more to the point, would God have left out something so important?

   4. Though there may be some historical question, all signs point to the overwhelming use of psalms exclusively in worship in the apostolic and early church.

   5. The psalms speak directly, clearly, distinctly about Jesus. Is some of the language shadowed? Yes, but we have the light of the face of Christ to shine upon the Psalter and thus can revel in their full depth.

   6. Finally, and I can’t stress this enough, Jesus sang the psalms with his disciples! All commentators agree that he sang the great hallel with his disciples in Mt. 26:30. Hopefully, this doesn’t sound trite, but if the Savior didn’t feel a need to compose and sing new praise to the Father, if He relied on the fullness and depth of the Psalter, why shouldn’t we?

   Truly, I hope these comments come across your screen graciously; I realize topics of worship are sensitive and close to the heart of all those who love Christ.

   Comment by Jared Olivetti — March 22, 2007 @ 6:51 am

7. Sean,

   Thank you for so articulately describing not only your convictions, but also convictions that many people hold. I humbly ask the following questions to try to make sense of what you are saying in my own (very fallen!) mind.

   (1) Do you believe that 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)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   is speaking about the 150 Psalms in our bibles today? Weren’t at least some of of the psalms written after the exile? And do you sing the psalms written after Hezekiah or is your cannon of psalms compiled after Hezekiah’s command?

   (2) Do you believe the songs in Revelation (like Revelation 15Revelation 15
   [15:1]Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and
   amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the
   last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.
   [2]And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled
   with fire--and also those who had conquered the beast and
   its image and the number of its name, standing beside the
   sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. [3]And they
   sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of
   the Lamb, saying,
   "Great and amazing are your deeds,
   O Lord God the Almighty!
   Just and true are your ways,
   O King of the nations!
   [4]Who will not fear, O Lord,
   and glorify your name?
   For you alone are holy.
   All nations will come
   and worship you,
   for your righteous acts have been revealed."
   [5]After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of
   witness in heaven was opened, [6]and out of the sanctuary
   came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in
   pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests.
   [7]And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven
   angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who
   lives forever and ever, [8]and the sanctuary was filled
   with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no
   one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of
   the seven angels were finished. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ) are inappropriate for people to sing before the consummation? It seems to be appropriate for us to sing this in heaven, but what is the reason to wait?

   (3) Would you mind clarifying what you mean as “sheer sentimentalism” as the only motivation wishing to corporately sing songs which mention our Savior’s name and describes His perfect work for us on the cross? Sentimentalism for what, exactly?

   (4) Many people consider passages such as Philippians 2:6-11Philippians 2:6-11
   [6]who, though he was in the form of God, did not count
   equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7]but made
   himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born
   in the likeness of men. [8]And being found in human form,
   he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of
   death, even death on a cross. [9]Therefore God has highly
   exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above
   every name, [10]so that at the name of Jesus every knee
   should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
   [11]and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
   the glory of God the Father. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   , Colossians 1:15-20Colossians 1:15-20
   [15]He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
   of all creation. [16]For by him all things were created, in
   heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones
   or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were
   created through him and for him. [17]And he is before all
   things, and in him all things hold together. [18]And he is
   the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the
   firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be
   preeminent. [19]For in him all the fullness of God was
   pleased to dwell, [20]and through him to reconcile to
   himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making
   peace by the blood of his cross. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   and 1 Timothy 3:161 Timothy 3:16
   [16]Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of
   godliness:
   He was manifested in the flesh,
   vindicated by the Spirit,
   seen by angels,
   proclaimed among the nations,
   believed on in the world,
   taken up in glory.

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   , to be the apostles condoning of new hymns. How do you read such passages?

   <><
   Matthew Westerholm

   Comment by Matthew Westerholm — March 22, 2007 @ 10:47 am

8. Matthew,

   Thank you for your charitable response.

   1. I believe that the phrase “the words of David, and of Asaph the seer” is a reference to “the Psalter,” as far as it was completed to that time. When the NT uses the term “scripture” or “scriptures,” it is usually a reference to the OT. However, such commands as “search the scriptures,” or promises as “all scripture is given by inspiration of God,” are rightly understood as today applying equally to the NT Scriptures, following the completion of the canon. Likewise, I believe that 2 Chron. 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)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   gives warrant to sing “the Psalter,” which had a completed canon following the exile.

   2. I do not believe that the book of Revelation presents the forms we are to use in our corporate worship services. Their use of song constitute integral parts of that prophecy, and do not condone our use of such songs in our public worship; any more than the presence of a temple, an altar, incense, harps, etc. condone our use of such forms.

   3. Understand, I believe the Psalms to speak fully and clearly of our Saviour in His person, offices, work, and states. My objection was aimed solely at the objection which I frequently hear, that “If we confine ourselves to the Psalms, we cannot sing the name ‘Jesus.’” Constructed as a syllogism, the argument would run thus:

   Major premise: If we sing only Psalms in worship, we cannot sing the name of Jesus (because the name “Jesus” does not appear in the Psalms).
   Minor premise: But we are commanded to sing the name of Jesus in worship.
   Conclusion: Therefore, our songs in worship must not be limited to the Psalms.

   I would contest the minor premise, as having no Scriptural warrant. But, again, I have never seen such a view presented as anything other than an emotional (not logical or Scriptural) appeal, or “sentimentalism,” as I said; an attachment to the name “Jesus” which insists on that name (and not “Yeshua,” “Joshua,” etc.), even when He is present in His person, offices, work, and states.

   4. I do not understand any such passages as constituting “hymn fragments.” I find no warrant to conclude that they were pieces of poetry, or that they were songs, or that they were sung in public Christian assemblies, or that they were uninspired compositions. I recognize the *possibility* of new hymns having been given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost during the apostolic era, while the canon of the NT was still being completed. Such “charismatic hymns,” whether or not they actually existed, would give no warrant for men today to write uninspired compositions and presume to set them on the same level with the Psalms of Holy Scripture.

   Comment by Sean McDonald — March 22, 2007 @ 6:06 pm

9. Bob, what is the process that you go through, for a typical Sunday, to select the worship songs to sing during corporate worship? Also, and maybe this is a similar question, but what would disqualify a song from being sung during corporate worship (I’m coming from the standpoint that there are numerous Christian songs out there, but perhaps not all would serve the congregation during corporate worship)?
   Thanks,
   Dan

   Comment by Dan Cummins — March 23, 2007 @ 6:55 pm

10. I am confused by the references to 2 Chron. 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)

    This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

    .

    That passage reads
    Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

    This says that Hezekiah commanded this, not the LORD.

    I don’t read this as any type of commandment.

    What am I missing?

    Thanks.

    Comment by Joel — March 26, 2007 @ 10:52 am

11. Excellent questions and discussion; also see http://www.calvin.edu/worship/psalms

    Comment by Nathan — March 30, 2007 @ 1:04 pm

12. I also would like to share some insights to Sean Mcdonald’s position on exclusive spalmody as I am also a pastor commited to such singing in worship. I believe that one of the importance of adhering to the regulative principle of worship is so that we would be kept from error and more error as we understand that as it is true that “the entrance of thy word gives light”, it is equally true that the entrance of one error (that which does not originate from the mind of God or His Word) gives more of that which is the opposite of light.

    You see, every abomination to the Lord has a mother, something or somebody gave birth to it. The bible speaks of “the mother of all abominations”. The reason why we have multitude of christian or gospel songs today that are very dishonoring to God not only in the type of music it bears but also in the doctrine that they convey, is because of man’s supposition that he can improve on what God has already made and provided. Note that God never commanded us to compose but to sing, which implies that whatever is to be sung is already there and was readily provided. The composing of new songs and the addition of instrumental accopaniment are two of the major things that man has thought of in trying to improve the ways of God. All these use of electric guitars and drums with all the gadgets that christians use today not only in worship but in recordings as well, did they not start with the use of the organ which is the mother? The same is true why we have these dishhonoring wordings in many hymns and gospel songs due doctrinal unsoundness.

    I afraid, my inadequacy in trying to express my thoughts about this may be noticed but the very words of The Spalmist is very clear, “As for God His way is Perfect, The word of The Lord is tried.”

    Comment by allan r. turda — May 2, 2008 @ 12:10 am

13. Your argument against “exclusive Psalmody” is very effective and well-thought out. Usage of the Psalms is a good choice in some corporate worship; for example, the Psalms of ascent could function as a great “call to worship” of sorts. However, the whole Bible tells the whole story about salvation, not just the Psalms. In fact, Paul uses a hymn to tell about the way Jesus humbled himself to death on a cross and was exalted through his resurrection ( Phil. 2:5-11Philippians 2:5-11
    [5]Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in
    Christ Jesus, [6]who, though he was in the form of God, did
    not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7]but
    made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being
    born in the likeness of men. [8]And being found in human
    form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point
    of death, even death on a cross. [9]Therefore God has
    highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is
    above every name, [10]so that at the name of Jesus every
    knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
    earth, [11]and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
    Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)

    This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

    )!

    Comment by KaiB — May 3, 2008 @ 7:06 pm

14. I tend to agree with KaiB. In worship, we are to communicate the truth of the gospel. This does agree with the Psalms in their songs of creation ( Ps. 8, 19, 65Psalm 8
    [8:1]O LORD, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
    You have set your glory above the heavens.
    [2]Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
    you have established strength because of your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.
    [3]When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
    [4]what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?
    [5]Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly
    beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
    [6]You have given him dominion over the works of your
    hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
    [7]all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
    [8]the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
    [9]O LORD, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

    This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

    ), of the attributes of God ( Ps. 117Psalm 117
    [117:1]Praise the LORD, all nations!
    Extol him, all peoples!
    [2]For great is his steadfast love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
    Praise the LORD!

    This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

    ; 145-105; these are too numerous to count), and of promise ( Ps. 22, 105, 107Psalm 22
    [22:1]My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my
    groaning?
    [2]O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
    and by night, but I find no rest.
    [3]Yet you are holy,
    enthroned on the praises of Israel.
    [4]In you our fathers trusted;
    they trusted, and you delivered them.
    [5]To you they cried and were rescued;
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
    [6]But I am a worm and not a man,
    scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
    [7]All who see me mock me;
    they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
    [8]"He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
    let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"
    [9]Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
    you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
    [10]On you was I cast from my birth,
    and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
    [11]Be not far from me,
    for trouble is near,
    and there is none to help.
    [12]Many bulls encompass me;
    strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
    [13]they open wide their mouths at me,
    like a ravening and roaring lion.
    [14]I am poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint;
    my heart is like wax;
    it is melted within my breast;
    [15]my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
    and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
    you lay me in the dust of death.
    [16]For dogs encompass me;
    a company of evildoers encircles me;
    they have pierced my hands and feet--
    [17]I can count all my bones--
    they stare and gloat over me;
    [18]they divide my garments among them,
    and for my clothing they cast lots.
    [19]But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
    O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
    [20]Deliver my soul from the sword,
    my precious life from the power of the dog!
    [21]Save me from the mouth of the lion!
    You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
    [22]I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
    [23]You who fear the LORD, praise him!
    All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
    and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
    [24]For he has not despised or abhorred
    the affliction of the afflicted,
    and he has not hidden his face from him,
    but has heard, when he cried to him.
    [25]From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
    my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
    [26]The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
    those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
    May your hearts live forever!
    [27]All the ends of the earth shall remember
    and turn to the LORD,
    and all the families of the nations
    shall worship before you.
    [28]For kingship belongs to the LORD,
    and he rules over the nations.
    [29]All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
    before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
    even the one who could not keep himself alive.
    [30]Posterity shall serve him;
    it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
    [31]they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a
    people yet unborn,
    that he has done it.

    This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

    ). Bob’s note that the Psalms over foreshadow the truth of Christ’s perfect life, redemptive work, and eternal restoration is an important one, I believe.

    We are communicating truth through the Psalms but not the gospel in its entirety. There is atonement for creation, God’s attributes fleshed out in Christ, and promises fulfilled that we must celebrate and thank God for, whether through the Psalms or other songs of truth.

    Comment by Rachel Whitfield — May 4, 2008 @ 8:56 pm

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