Psalter: Lyrics and Notes

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blhowes

blhowes

Puritan Board Professor
Does anybody know of any good Psalter websites? I'd like to learn some songs from the Psalter, but would rather not have to go out and buy a Psalter (with the lay-off, I'm on a tight budget).

I found this site, which has the lyrics and tunes, as well as an explanation of what CM, LM, SM, etc. mean. For me, its easier to learn tunes if I have the notes in front of me as well. Has anybody ever come across sites that have the lyrics and the music together?

Thanks,
Bob
 
There are a few other sites that have some or all of the psalms in midi files, some of which also have lyrics, and some of which are in English. But I think, Bob, that you have found the best site for your purpose. I can discuss other sites with you via u2u if you like, but the one you found is quite good.

Meanwhile, I would also be happy to send you a psalter and/or psalm CD. There are various versions out there that are worth singing from or listening to. Just let me know. I think everyone should have a metrical psalter alongside (or within) their Bible. :sing:
 
Originally posted by VirginiaHuguenot
There are a few other sites that have some or all of the psalms in midi files, some of which also have lyrics, and some of which are in English. But I think, Bob, that you have found the best site for your purpose. I can discuss other sites with you via u2u if you like, but the one you found is quite good.

Meanwhile, I would also be happy to send you a psalter and/or psalm CD. There are various versions out there that are worth singing from or listening to. Just let me know. I think everyone should have a metrical psalter alongside (or within) their Bible. :sing:
Click to expand...
Andrew,
Thanks. I'll U2U you.
 
Anybody have any favorites out of the Psalter?

Question:
If you go to the site I mentioned, and click on Psalm 1 for example, Psalm 1 is displayed with C.M. above it. If you click on the CM, you get 50 or 60 different choices. Can any of these tunes be sung with those lyrics?
 
Originally posted by blhowes
Anybody have any favorites out of the Psalter?

Question:
If you go to the site I mentioned, and click on Psalm 1 for example, Psalm 1 is displayed with C.M. above it. If you click on the CM, you get 50 or 60 different choices. Can any of these tunes be sung with those lyrics?
Click to expand...

I think the site matches possible tunes with appropriate psalm selections, so if CM or LM is the option provided, you will get a tune that corresponds to the words.

I am partial to the RPCNA psalter (which is not on the site) and its version of Psalm 113(A). I am also partial to the 1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter and certain selections in particular such as Psalm 23 to Crimond; Psalm 4 to Abbey; Psalm 103 to Kilmarnock; Psalm 121 to French. I also like to use the tune to "Amazing Grace" for common metre selections.
 
Wow! That is a cool site.

I wish I weren't so lazy (and/or busy) or I would transcribe the harmonies myself. I could use the ear training anyways.

Even so, I wish that they had the scores on there also.
 
Cool. I just listened to the Azmon version of the CM meter, and the tune sounds vaguely familiar...Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing, which fits real nicely with the Psalm 1 lyrics.

Are there other common 'hymn tunes' used in the Psalter?
 
Originally posted by blhowes
Are there other common 'hymn tunes' used in the Psalter?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if it's on the site, but Old 100th from the Genevan Psalter is commonly used in the singing of the "Doxology" in some churches.

One version of Psalm 46 in the RPCNA psalter uses the tune "Ein Feste Burg" ("A Mighty Fortress").

Psalm 84B uses the tune Melita which corresponds to the Navy Hymn, which, as I recall, was sung in the movie "Titanic."

This link gives many more examples.

[Edited on 8-11-2005 by VirginiaHuguenot]
 
We had a musical group come to our church last week and the sang from the Psalter acappela. My sister in law was so impressed that she ordered the Reformed Church Psalter Hymnal. It arrived and there are no notes. She is a piano player. Is there a Psalter Hymnal with melodies with the lyrics?

Sorry Bob, I'm not trying to hijack your thread - it's a related question. :D
 
Originally posted by maxdetail
We had a musical group come to our church last week and the sang from the Psalter acappela. My sister in law was so impressed that she ordered the Reformed Church Psalter Hymnal. It arrived and there are no notes. She is a piano player. Is there a Psalter Hymnal with melodies with the lyrics?

Sorry Bob, I'm not trying to hijack your thread - it's a related question. :D
Click to expand...

The RPCNA psalter and the Scottish metrical psalter both have notes and lyrics together, as do various other versions of the psalter, including one version of the Trinity Psalter. The types of psalters that lack musical notes are really for those who have memorized appropriate tunes or don't read music. You can get some psalters with notes here. Here is another psalter option. For those who really want a challenge try using a sol-fa psalter. :)
 
Still Water Revival Books and Crown & Covenant Publications are two places to obtain good psalters which contain musical notations as well as lyrics, and psalms for listening as well.

If anyone would like further info, please feel free to u2u me.
 
Ok (Andrew)...

Are those psalters from SWRB in their package of puritan and reformed stuff, or is it a separate item? I didn't see it (yet) as I have been going through them.
 
Originally posted by maxdetail
Sorry Bob, I'm not trying to hijack your thread - it's a related question. :D
Click to expand...
No problem. I realize that, if you had wanted to hijack the thread, you'd have been much more blatant about it. Your question does 'seem' to be related. (jk)
 
Originally posted by SmokingFlax
Ok (Andrew)...

Are those psalters from SWRB in their package of puritan and reformed stuff, or is it a separate item? I didn't see it (yet) as I have been going through them.
Click to expand...

Um, I may need to make a correction. I *thought* SWRB had psalters with musical notations, but it appears they may not. They definitely have the Scottish psalms on CD and tape, along with John Brown's Psalter (text only, and notes).

This article provides further information how to acquire psalters.
 
Some selected composers whose tunes are used in some Psalters used today:

The Book of Psalms for Singing (1973) (RPCNA)

J.S. Bach
L. Beethoven
L. Bourgeois
G. Handel
J. Haydn
R. Jackson
M. Luther
L. Mason
F. Mendelssohn
G. Pierluigui
T. Ravenscroft
R. Schumann

The 1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter (1979) (RP Church of Ireland)

1615 Scottish Psalter
1625 Scottish Psalter
1633 Scottish Psalter
1634 Scottish Psalter
1635 Scottish Psalter
Lowell Mason
1621 Ravenscroft Psalter
1592 Este's Psalter
1547 Genevan Psalter
Ludwig van Beethoven
Felix Mendelssohn
Thomas Jackson
Jewish Chant
1556 Anglo-Genevan Psalter
Johann S. Bach
1562 Daye's Psalter
Johann M. Haydn
George F. Handel
 
For those of you who are looking for the split-leaf psalters, I can usually get ahold of a few used ones at used bookstores here in Edinburgh for under $10 each. If you send me u2u's requesting them, I'll keep my eye open and pick them up for you as I am out and about. It may take a while for me to get it for you, though (sometimes I see 3 in a week...sometimes 1 in a month...it all depends.)

Most of the psalters are in the sol-fa notation, however.
 
Originally posted by blhowes
Anybody have any favorites out of the Psalter?

Question:
If you go to the site I mentioned, and click on Psalm 1 for example, Psalm 1 is displayed with C.M. above it. If you click on the CM, you get 50 or 60 different choices. Can any of these tunes be sung with those lyrics?
Click to expand...

If you would like further specific suggestions as to which tunes to use with which psalm, this site contains links for each psalm to the tune commonly used by Pilgrim Covenant Church.

http://www.pilgrimcovenant.com/online/psalter.php
 
Originally posted by crhoades
Originally posted by VirginiaHuguenot
Originally posted by VirginiaHuguenot
Good inexpensive Scottish metrical psalm CDs are available through the Presbyterian Reformed Church website.
Click to expand...

* bump * for those who are interested
Click to expand...

Wish they had samples to listen to...How do they compare to other ones on Psalms4u.com? Their Scottish ones etc.?
Click to expand...

They are a good match with the psalm CD's by the Northern Presbytery Choir of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The PRC CD's are recordings of congregational singing. They are singing from the 1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter (like the NPC of the RPCI). Crown & Covenant also, of course, has psalm CD's based on the more modern Covenanter psalter. The PRC psalm CD's are a great value for your $$ and your :sing:
 
Is the Trinity Psalter available online?

My houshold has one Psalter, but we need several copies of the the particular Psalm we sing to distribute. I have been typing the Psalm out and printing sheets, but it would be much easier to copy and paste.
 
ChristopherPaul said:
Is the Trinity Psalter available online?

My houshold has one Psalter, but we need several copies of the the particular Psalm we sing to distribute. I have been typing the Psalm out and printing sheets, but it would be much easier to copy and paste.
Click to expand...

As far as I know it is not available online. Although this will not meet your present needs, it may be of interest to hear midi files from the Trinity Psalter here or listen to recordings of the words and music from Trinity Psalter selections here and here.
 
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