About Psalter Hymnal
The great 16th century Reformer John Calvin reminds us of the importance of singing the inspired songbook of God’s people, the Psalter, in the public worship of God:
As for public prayers, there are two kinds: the one consists simply of speech, the other of song…And indeed, we know from experience that singing has great strength and power to move and to set on fire the hearts of men in order that they may call upon God and praise him with a more vehement and more ardent zeal. It is to be remembered always that this singing should not be light or frivolous, but that it ought to have weight and majesty…Now, what Augustine says is true, namely that no one can sing anything worthy of God that he has not received from him. Therefore, even after we have carefully searched everywhere, we shall not find better or more appropriate songs to this end than the Psalms of David, inspired by the Holy Spirit. And for this reason, when we sing them, we are assured that God puts the words in our mouth, as if he himself were singing through us to exalt his glory.
As for the tunes to be used with the Psalter, Calvin was concerned that they are reverent for worship, simple enough for congregational singing, and fitted for the subject of the psalm:
Touching the melody, it has seemed best that it be moderated in the manner we have adopted to carry the weight and majesty appropriate to the subject, and even to be proper for singing in the Church….
Most of the tunes are those traditionally used for the particular metrical psalm, but extra care was also taken to substitute melodies that are easier or more familiar than the traditional tunes.
This is still a work in progress. Indices and other features will be added later.
PSALTER HYMNAL
Web Page Copyright 2003 by Nollie Malabuyo
Topics: About | Comments Off