Singing the Psalms

There are many wonderful resources for singing the Psalms:

Metrical Psalm: These serve as a poetic, metrical version of a particular Psalm. They can closely fit the biblical text or be looser.  Examples: "All People That on Earth Do Dwell" (Psalm 100, Isaac Watts), "The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want" (Psalm 23, Scottish Psalter, 1650).

Psalm Paraphrase: A hymn based on a psalm or part of a psalm (different degrees of paraphrase). Examples: "Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come" (Psalm 98, Isaac Watts), "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past" (Psalm 90, Isaac Watts), "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" (Psalm 103, Henry F. Lyte).

Pointed Psalm: A psalm with the words printed with special symbolism indicating the manner of chanting. Example: Anglican chant.

Scripture Song: A contemporary worship chorus using a Scripture text or paraphrase thereof; may be a psalm in whole or part. Examples: "This Is the Day" (Psalm 118, Leona Von Brethorst); "Behold Bless Ye the Lord" (Psalm 134); "Step by Step" (Psalm 63, Rich Mullins). These scripture songs usually are very often actual quotations of a Psalm, but usually do not contain the whole text of a Psalm.

John Frame reminds us that the role of music in worship is to make God's Word vivid and memorable. The below simple Scripture songs have done that for me. These songs are placed here not because of their technical expertise or pristine quality, but simply as a tool for your own devotional use and encouragement.

Glory and Praise to Our God - Psalm 16 - The Word of God cuts through the fog of Satan's lies and shows me where true and lasting happiness is to be found. And so the Word helps me stop trusting in the potential of sin to make me happy, and instead moves me to trust in God's promise of joy (Psalm 16:11). Psalm 16:11 says that: "In God's presence is fullness of joy, and in his right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Only in God - Psalm 62 - This scripture song was written originally by John Michael Talbot. I was impacted by his music as a college student. His songs have a unique power to draw me into the Lord's presence and worship. In this text, the sweet singer of Israel is speaking to his soul... reminding himself that his soul is at rest in the Lord and that he need not be moved and afraid at all.

Let the Glory of the Lord Endure Forever - Psalm 104:31,33 - I learned this short Scripture song while in college. The words are a direct quotation from Psalm 104. This song appeals to the LORD to be glad in His works and it reminds us of our reason for existence on this earth - to sing and praise the Lord as long as we live.

Behold! Bless Ye the Lord - Psalm 134:1 - How I desire for this to be the experience and delight of all of the Lord's servants at Trinity. Lifting of the hands is not used as a means to draw attention to ourselves, but as a way to express our surrender and relinquishment to the Lord as well as our utter dependence upon Him.

The King of Love My Shepherd Is - Psalm 23 - This is a metrical version of Psalm 23 written by Henry Baker is 1868 AD. Psalm 23 is called the Shepherd Psalm. Even those who have yet to embrace the Good Shepherd who laid down His life are magnetized and drawn to this Scripture from the pen of the sweet singer of Israel. The lyrics of this text express well the themes of my own spiritual journey... perverse and foolish oft I strayed yet in love He sought me!