Rev KM Macdonald

“Why do you only sing Psalms?”

I am sure most of us have been in situations where we have had visitors to our congregations who are taken aback by our material of praise

It does seem genuinely strange to them to find us singing “songs and hymns” that are not familiar to them. Even when we explain that we only sing Psalms, the reality is that that can still draw blank looks and leave them just as bemused. In most cases there will be a need to further define why we only sing Psalms in public worship, and how we have them in metrical form. It is also important to explain that we are not anti-hymns, but that such can only be used outwith public worship.

We should remind people that the Psalms are not only full of references to the Saviour, but also clearly refer in many instances to the different experiences of man, even as he is today, saved and unsaved. No one singing these words need ever be distracted as they sing, wondering as to whether the sentiments expressed are theologically correct.  Sadly we cannot have that confidence in much of what passes as Praise in many churches today.

We should not be apologetic in any way for only using “God’s Hymn Book” and at the same time take the opportunity, despite the ignorant cry heard so often “what about Jesus?,” to show that while we may not sing the name of Jesus that our Psalms are full of Christ.

The reality is that many have never considered that these very Psalms, (in Hebrew form of course) were the songs of praise on the lips of our Saviour, and was the only book of praise in the Second Temple.

“Show me examples in the Psalms of references to Jesus.”

Numerous examples of direct, or typical references to Christ are scattered throughout this wonderful Biblical Book.

Messianic passages can be found in Psalms 2, 8,16, 22, 40, 45, 68, 69, 72, 110.

Consider him as King for example in Psalm 2, 45, 72, and as King and Priest in 110.

If any have eyes to see, who cannot but recognise Christ referred to in his sufferings in Psalm 69 and 22?

When we take the words of Psalm 22

“My God my God why hast thou me forsaken why so far

Art thou from helping me, and from my words that roaring are?” (vs.1)

or else,

“For dogs have compassed me about; the wicked that did meet

In their assembly, me inclosed; they pierced my hands and feet.”

(vs 16)

who would dare say that they have composed better words describing the suffering of our Redeemer as he hung there on the cursed tree?

His glorious resurrection is before us in 16,

“Because my soul in grave to dwell shall not be left by thee;

Nor wilt thou give thine Holy One corruption to see.”

and his ascension in 68.

“Thou hast O Lord most glorious ascended up on high;

And in triumph victorious led captive captivity”

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  (Luke 24:44)

“How can the Psalms be as relevant as recently-composed hymns?”

When we read and sing;

“His mouth with cursing, fraud deceit, is filled abundantly;

And underneath his tongue there is mischief and vanity”

in Psalm 10, do we not recognise man, every man, in his sinful state?

We can read and sing of the contrast between the worldly and the godly in the first Psalm,

“That man hath perfect blessedness who walketh not astray

In counsel of ungodly men nor stands in sinners’ way.”

then turn to Psalm 40, and there praise the Lord in the words that every convert to the Lord Jesus Christ can sing with thankfulness;

“He took me from a fearful pit and from the miry clay

And on a rock he set my feet establishing my way.”

The experience of backsliding is brought before us in Psalm 81,

“But yet my people to my voice would not attentive be…”

but also the sweet sense of restoration in the 23rd.

The Psalms we sing are also full of the prayers of the holy psalmists led by the Holy Spirit as we find for example in the 85th, which we can read and sing for our own edification and worship of the Lord. No wonder Spurgeon would say, “The Holy Ghost by David has furnished us with the best expressions which we can utter before the Lord in prayer”

We sing of children in the 127th psalm; of mothers in 139; of fathers in 103 and of old age in 71.

We rejoice as we lift up our voices in praise for the assurance we have that God will be our strength and help in the words of Psalm 46,

“God is our refuge and our strength in straits a present aid;

Therefore although the earth remove we will not be afraid.”

and then we can praise him with the beautiful words of the unity of Church in the 133rd Psalm.

“Behold how good a thing it is and how becoming well

Together such as brethren are in unity to dwell.”

The words of the Apostle come to mind “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me …”   to speak of Psalms that show the divinity and the humanity of Christ; of his eternal sonship; of his trial; of his burial; of his second coming and the triumph of his kingdom.

For ourselves as we struggle along life’s journey we find experiences authored by the Holy Spirit that will address our times of encouragement and failure; of mountain top experiences and valleys; of the sense of sin within and without; of our fears and hopes.

“Every emotion of the renewed heart Godwards” said   John (Rabbi)  Duncan, “ finds adequate expression in the book of Psalms”

In our Praise, in our times of Public Worship, we cannot better what he himself has given us to use.