*Note: Abide does not take an official position of songs sung in corporate worship as we do not belong to a single denomination but have within our community individuals for the 13 different https://www.naparc.org/ denominations. For more questions about this topic, we strongly encourage you to speak to your local pastor.
Abide was blessed to have Rev. Gary Zekveld of the Canadian Reformed Church speak at a 2024 Retreat at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center in Sumas, Washington. The theme of the retreat was “The Christian's Emotional Life in the Psalms”. The following information is at times directly quoted or is a summary of the questions and answers. For all the videos from the weekend, click here for the full playlist on YouTube, including the sessions and question and answer time.
Q: Can you expand on the Psalms as Christ’s songs? What specifically makes them this?
A: The Psalms are Christ’s songs because they come from Him as the Eternal Word and God. The entire Bible, as the Word of Christ, reflects His truth and authority. Specifically, in the Gospels, we see Jesus quoting the Psalms to express His identity as the Messiah and in moments of deep spiritual significance, such as His cry on the cross. The Psalms are also quoted frequently in the Epistles, especially in Hebrews, where they are explicitly tied to Jesus, showing their fulfillment in Him. The Psalms hold a unique place in Scripture as words given to God’s people to express worship. They are the worship book of the Bible, designed by God for His people to sing back to Him. Jesus, as the true and perfect worshiper, fulfills the Psalms in His obedience and worship life. He represents humanity before God as the second Adam, succeeding where Adam and all others have failed.
Furthermore, the Psalms point to Christ in various ways—they prophesy about Him, they describe the pattern of His life, and they even capture His emotional experiences. For instance, Psalm 22 vividly portrays the crucifixion, a reality that Christ alone could fully embody. Additionally, the praise Psalms are directed toward Christ, acknowledging Him as the object of worship. The Psalms provide a profound view of Jesus’s emotional life, as they portray the full range of human experience, from anguish to exaltation. Psalm 119 is another example, as it exalts love for God’s law—a love perfectly fulfilled in Christ. Believers can sing Psalm 119 only because Jesus first sang it, perfectly obeying the law on behalf of His people. A helpful summary is this: if you want to read about the life of Christ, go to the Gospels; if you want to read about the emotional life of Christ, go to the Psalms.
Q: What is the reasoning behind exclusive psalmody?
A: Exclusive psalmody is rooted in the belief that God, in His wisdom, provided the Psalms as the worship book for His church. The reasoning is based on several theological and biblical principles:
Divine Authorship of the Psalms: The Psalms were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are uniquely suited for worship. They contain the full range of human emotions and are divinely ordained expressions of praise, lament, thanksgiving, and prayer.
Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16: These passages mention “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,” which exclusive psalmists interpret as referring to the categories within the 150 Psalms. This interpretation is supported by the Greek terminology used, which aligns with the titles for sections of the Psalter in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint).
The Regulative Principle of Worship: This principle teaches that only what is explicitly prescribed in Scripture is permissible in worship. Exclusive psalmists argue that since Scripture commands the singing of Psalms, and there is no command to sing uninspired hymns, only the Psalms should be sung in corporate worship.
Sufficiency of the Psalms: Exclusive psalmody proponents believe the Psalms are sufficient for all aspects of worship. They cover every possible human experience and theological truth necessary for worship.
Historical Practice: Exclusive psalmody has a strong historical precedent in reformed traditions, particularly among the Scottish Presbyterians and denominations such as the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA).
Clarity and Purity of Worship: Since the Psalms are inspired, they are free from theological error. This ensures doctrinal purity and unity in the context of worship.
In explaining exclusive psalmody to a child, one might say: “God wrote the Bible, and in the Bible, He gave us a songbook called the Psalms. He gave these songs to His people to sing to Him, so they are the best songs we could ever sing.”
For those who do not hold to exclusive psalmody, the understanding of “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” might extend to include biblically sound hymns and spiritual songs written after the close of the canon. This view argues that the regulative principle does not preclude the use of uninspired songs, as long as they are consistent with Scripture and glorify God as we may have in the preaching of the Word and corporate prayer.
Q: If the regulative principle is foundational, is Ephesians 5:19 a clear enough command to sing only Psalms, excluding uninspired songs like “Amazing Grace”?
A: This question often divides proponents and critics of exclusive psalmody. Exclusive psalmists argue that Ephesians 5:19 provides sufficient clarity because it uses terms referring to the Psalms. They interpret “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” as categories within the Psalter, thus limiting permissible songs to the inspired text of Scripture. Critics, however, question whether this interpretation excludes uninspired but biblically sound songs. They argue that the regulative principle allows for the use of songs that adhere to scriptural truths, even if they are not directly commanded, as long as they aid in worship and do not contradict Scripture. Ultimately, the debate hinges on one’s interpretation of the regulative principle and the scope of what is considered permissible in worship.
Q: What are the practical and theological challenges of implementing exclusive psalmody in worship?
A:
Musical Accessibility: Some Psalms, as arranged in Psalters like the Trinity Psalter Hymnal, may not have the most singable tunes, making them challenging for congregational singing. For instance, Psalm 88’s tune is often cited as difficult. However, congregations can adapt by pairing such Psalms with more familiar or singable melodies.
Cultural Resistance: In many modern churches, the use of uninspired hymns and contemporary worship songs is deeply ingrained. Transitioning to exclusive psalmody can meet resistance from those accustomed to a broader musical repertoire.
Perceived Limitations: Critics of exclusive psalmody might argue that it restricts the expression of certain theological truths or personal experiences that are not explicitly addressed in the Psalms.
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