Sing psalms! Won’t you join us in thinking the Lord’s thoughts after Him in praise? Won’t you join us as we sing the same songs the God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, Zion’s King and Only Head sang?
The Lord has given us command and warrant for this wonderful practice. We’re commanded to sing the psalms in the Old Testament. We’re commanded to sing the psalms in the New Testament. (1)
There is no other book of the Old Testament that is like the Book of Psalms: a collection of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; a ready and ordained resource for worshiping our God. Its use extends beyond congregational worship, as historians (2) are discovering; it also serves as a collection of songs for our personal growth as individual disciples before the Lord.
The psalms have always been unique among songs in worship as a primary author of the Psalms, King David, invites his subjects to sing in his voice. When does a national leader ask his subjects to sing in his voice? King David invites and commands his people to sing in the voice of the king. And, not only in the voice of the king, but in the voices of prophets, priests and kings. How much greater is the invitation and the command today? King Jesus invites and commands us to sing in His voice as our Prophet, Priest and King, as his prophets, priests and kings. Is Jesus the First of many brethren? Then why not join His voice and bring your thoughts of worship captive to His Kingship?
Jesus, Himself, sang the psalms in His involvements in synagogue and temple and celebrations of the Old Testament feast days! Even on the cross, the Lord’s words were guided by the revelation of the Holy Spirit in the psalms which He sang all His life. (3)
Please join us in singing the psalms in worship to the glory of God. Taste and see what this historical and commanded practice is all about. Enjoy the Lord in His psalms.
For a paper submitted to the Synod of the RPCNA in regarding to singing the psalms in worship, click here.
Commentary on Psalm Singing
By the way, the Rev. Duncan Lowe (featured in this video) was the first pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church (1985-1986) and our Interim Moderator (2004-2005). Enjoy.
Singing Psalm 102 at the 2008 RP International Conference
Psalter Selection 102A, The Book of Psalms for Singing, Crown and Covenant Publications
Notes:
- Commands from the Old Testament include: 1 Chronicles 16:9 and Psalm 105:2. Commands and warrant from the New Testament include: Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.
- Here’s link to a paper by Pastor Michael Levebre regarding the “Shape of the Psalter” on this topic.
- Psalm 22.