Psalms in Our Time

Introducing Psalms in Our Time

For some time I have been considering how the Psalms might be used more effectively in our song service. I have a preliminary version of my work, including about fifty collected psalm versions and a few related articles (some still in draft), on the the church's website, http://rainbowskies/com. I plan to add further material as I find it.

This work was partially inspired by two widely used hymnals: Sacred Selections for the Church and Hymns for Worship. Both of these contained a subcollection of hymns based on Old Testament Psalms, as well as unrecognized hymns that could well have been incorporated in that section. And both, in their own way, rather aroused dissatisfaction by their inadequacy than encouraged emulation of their excellence.

Sacred Selections for the Church recognized four psalms, three with multiple versions; two or three others could be found elsewhere in the book.

Hymns for Worship announced as one of its new features, that it had an entire selection of psalms. But it was clearly an afterthought, with no evident consideration of either possible uses of the texts, or suitable music. No music was printed, and the suggested tunes were often painfully inappropriate for the mood of the text. In addition, nearly all tunes were already far too closely associated with a "proper text".

Neither book gave adequate attribution for its psalm versions; Hymns for Worship did not even include them in its main indexes, which would have been an inconvenience if those indexes had been at all useful. Sacred Selections placed most of them in a specified range, but did not identify them in its indexes.

But these flaws paled beside the evident lack of consideration of the texts. When could those versions be used? Why were so many excellent texts passed over, to pick out those random verses from generally inarticulate versions?

I should mention that Great Songs of the Church, Revised does a significantly better job in all of these ways: while making no pretentious show, it includes about 30 psalm versions complete with reasonable music: indexed with other hymns by topic and by scripture reference, as well as listed under a topic "psalm versions" in the topical index. (That topic omits at least two psalm versions, but lists several hymns which I would not call "psalm versions", since they are merely based on a catchphrase from a psalm.)

Psalms in Our Time specifically addresses those issues:

• I have canvassed a wide range of sources for texts and tunes, deliberately searching out distinct cultural traditions. (I have not included any versions simply because they were familiar, or because they were unfamiliar.)
• I have not included any original versions, nor any versions written by anyone I know. (This is not a "vanity" collection.) Every text was drawn from a competently edited hymnal. They all have been used across multiple cultures or traditions, and have earned some right to be called "classics."
• I have represented as wide a range of psalms as possible, with a view toward making more psalms familiar.
• I have generally included more stanzas than most hymnals would. This sometimes helps understand both the original psalm and the metric version. On some occasions, a different selection of verses may be used effectively.
• Many psalm versions are unsuitable for use in worship because of archaic or glaringly unfortunate language; or are difficult to use because they refer to ancient customs or Jewish religious practices. I have included only versions for which I could envision some effective use in our worship.
• In keeping with church-of-Christ tradition, each psalm has its own tune, which we do not not commonly use for any other text. In keeping with my emphasis on the text, I have sometimes suggested other tunes that are sometimes used, or that might be considered in musically-challenged or tradition-bound churches.
• I did not write any new tunes, nor did I make any new tune selections. Every tune, and every combination of text and tune, has been featured in some competently edited hymnal.
• I did not include original tunes even from the most authoritative sources. Each tune haa demonstrated independent value and usefulness beyond the limits of its original time, style, and tradition: each is a genuine classic (and yet most are apparently unknown in churches of Christ.)
• I am writing an article on each psalm, considering what it means, what the psalm version is intended to accomplish, how it might be used in worship, and what difficulties might interfere with its use. Where possible, I include information about the intent of the writer in his own words. I also review alternative tune choices, and mention sources for further study.
• I have included historical or technical notes on several aspects of the problem of creating and using hymns. These grew out of issues raised by more than one psalm; and articles on individual psalms will refer back to them.
• I hope to present some of these psalms in our regular singings through a series of devotional studies. One is included already, and more are in various stage of preparation.

These tunes will be unfamiliar at first, but are well worth learning for their own sake. The website includes the same file formats as in the Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary (online at http://ccel.org/cceh/) which describes how the files can be used.

This is obviously an experiment; and a work in progress. Sheet music and audio files are included for each psalm. Many articles are missing or incomplete, but there is a cluster of articles centered on Martin Luther that show what I'm trying to accomplish: it includes an article on Martin Luther, an article on his Psalm 46 and another inspired by its use of mythical language; an article on his Psalm 130 and another inspired by its use of an ancient musical mode.

I would very much like to hear comments, suggestions, problems, criticism. It would be a great help and encouragement if people will take advantage of the website to try them out on their own. I can also make hard copies, if that is considered useful.

Several copyrighted texts or tunes are included, for which I do not yet have permission to republish. On the title page of Psalms in our time there is a link to "view as Member". If you click on that, and give the website's userid and password (member and p5alm7) you will be able to view all copyrighted material.