I have tried to find an answer to the following question in my humble efforts at research, but have yet to find an answer with which I'm satisfied. So, I thought to ask my brethren here who adhere to the position of exclusive psalmody.

Can someone tell me why hymn # 135 in the old Trinity hymnal, I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art was included in the Strasbourg Psalter (1545) and (I think) in the Geneva Psalter (1551) as well? It doesn't appear to be based upon any particular psalm, but I'm sure I've overlooked something somewhere.

DTK

__________________
Sola Scriptura est norma normans non normata
D. T. King, pastor
Christ Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Elkton, Maryland
Augustine (354-430): Therefore what He [i.e., Christ] has deigned to speak to us, we ought to believe that He meant us to understand. But if we do not understand He, being asked, gives understanding, who gave His Word unasked. NPNF1: Vol. VII, Tractates on John, Tractate XXII, §1.

Good question. I've researched that on and off over the last couple of years and found nothing conclusive.

The most plausible explanation I've heard is that it was part of the Strasbourg worship as they were reforming. It seems likely that, if Calvin was involved, he followed his characteristic custom of focusing on major items and not quibbling over others that he did not perceive to be major. From what I can tell, Calvin's view of hymns and psalms changed gradually as other matters were becoming settled. Certainly by the time he was in Geneva the second time, his view of the psalms was quite high.

Nevertheless, it is probably my favorite hymn.

__________________
Raymond Victor Bottomly
Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Tacoma, WA

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

This is some earlier research related to the issue:

http://www.puritanboard.com/134442-post25.html

__________________
Andrew