I am enthused about my recently-received copy of a new edition of the split-leaf psalter. It is published by the Psalmody Committee of the Free Church of Scotland.
As you can see, it is a “split-leaf” psalter because the tunes are on top and the words are on the bottom, but they are separated so it’s possible to mix and match tunes with psalms. Don’t like that tune? Pick another with the same meter. So, for example, Ps 1a may be sung to three different tunes. Ps 23 has two possibilities (neither one is CRIMOND– the Book of Psalms for Singing [RPCNA] has CRIMOND as the second tune, but the CRCNA 1959 Psalter-Hymnal has about five tunes and none of them are CRIMOND. What gives?) Want more information? Contact the committee at: psalmody@freechurchofscotland.org.uk
Given the present exchange rate these volumes are a little pricey (at least it was for me!) but they are well-printed and bound and should last.
R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
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I have Sing Psalms as well. I purchased it to gain access to one of the newer CM tunes, “Bays of Harris”.
The lyrics in Sing Psalms IMO don’t ring true. I prefer the Scottish Psalmody (referred to above by Mr. Sutter) because it’s 1650 and I’m thankful it hasn’t been taken from us.
I would hope that more and more Refomed churches go back to at least including the singing of Psalms in Worship. Such beauty singing the Word of God.
Well, we already have the Book of Psalms for Singing.
So the seminary is going to be purchasing these for the chapel…right?
i used a book like this at a Presbyterian Free Church I attended in Greenville, SC… I really enjoyed singing from it.