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The 1650 is faithful to the original Hebrew and was approved by the godly men of the Westminster Assembly. Another positive is the entire psalter can be sung if you only know one common meter tune.
There are psalters with updated language. One of which is the Book of Psalms for Worship put out by the RPCNA. My family uses this edition for family worship. Although many will disagree, for us the language in the 1650 is too out of date for us even though there are many positives.
The 1650 is faithful to the original Hebrew and was approved by the godly men of the Westminster Assembly. Another positive is the entire psalter can be sung if you only know one common meter tune.
There are psalters with updated language. One of which is the Book of Psalms for Worship put out by the RPCNA. My family uses this edition for family worship. Although many will disagree, for us the language in the 1650 is too out of date for us even though there are many positives.
I feel like some of the psalms are a bit outdated. There are many that are very simple to understand. I'm wondering is it a good idea to go ahead and teach my kids the language in the 1650 that is unfamiliar to them.
It is a very faithful translation - and was authorized by the Church of Scotland, so has the stamp of approval of the church. That is of great value, and it provides a great companion to the King James. It has also stood the test of time as a faithful psalter.
That said, I too find it a bit hard to use, though have always benefitted from singing from it. In addition, it's not as "user-friendly" as the newer RPCNA psalter (Book of Psalms for Worship) which is laid out like a hymnal, and even has an iOS/Android app to go along with it.
My family loves singing from the RPCNA psalter, and it's also (by virtue of being an RPCNA church plant!) the same psalter we use at church. It too is authorized by and is the work of a church body (RPCNA). I've introduced it to many folks, who have used it in their own family worship to great profit - even folks who are not Exclusive Psalmody.
I'm extremely interested in the Book of Psalms for worship. There fairly expensive though. Anyone know of any web sites that sell them at a good price or used?
Here is a review of the Book of Psalms for worship:
Virginia is for Huguenots: Book Review: The Book of Psalms for Worship
Being based in the UK we use the the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland's 2004 version - The Psalms for Singing: A 21st Century Edition, which has some very excellent modern renditions which faithfully follow and reflect the orginal.
Being based in the UK we use the the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland's 2004 version - The Psalms for Singing: A 21st Century Edition, which has some very excellent modern renditions which faithfully follow and reflect the orginal.
I have been wanting a copy of this psalter but it is very expensive over here. The cheapest I have found is $42.00 for one copy.
Here are two excellent pieces which explain why you should continue to use the 1650 Scottish Psalter:
The Scottish Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1650 by Philip Rainey
The Development of the Scottish Psalter by Rev. David Silversides
Being based in the UK we use the the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland's 2004 version - The Psalms for Singing: A 21st Century Edition, which has some very excellent modern renditions which faithfully follow and reflect the orginal.
I have been wanting a copy of this psalter but it is very expensive over here. The cheapest I have found is $42.00 for one copy.
Same here! I've been very interested in this Psalter, but cannot find it at a decent price . As to the review of the Book of Psalms for Worship, it is good to note that some of the criticisms in the review were fixed in later editions as a comment on that very review indicates.
Tyrese
When we were choosing a psalter for family and church use we elected to go with a more modern translation. Not, however because there was/is any inherent great problem with the SMV, but because I prefered to use more modern language. I view this as a case of 'added value' in the newer versions rather than a 'lack' in the old. I do not believe the version of psalter is an issue for division, I am sure I would very happily use any currently published version. My preference is strongly for as close a following of the text of Scripture as possible (accomodating the constaints of metrification), thus I am not too keen on some of the 1912 versions which are incorporated in the Trinity Hymnal.
Having said all that our psalter retains some of the best loved SMV versions for many psalms, and in my opinion many of them cannot be bettered, e.g. Psalm 1, Psalm 51 etc.
Being based in the UK we use the the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland's 2004 version - The Psalms for Singing: A 21st Century Edition, which has some very excellent modern renditions which faithfully follow and reflect the orginal.
I agree with John - it's your call!
Here is a review of the Book of Psalms for worship:
Virginia is for Huguenots: Book Review: The Book of Psalms for Worship
Here is a review of the Book of Psalms for worship:
Virginia is for Huguenots: Book Review: The Book of Psalms for Worship
Hi Tim. Thanks for sharing. Has there been a change of opinion after the revisions have been made to BoPW? What psalter does your Church use?
If you decide to go with the PfW rather than the SMV, just be honest and say it is your own preference. Don't blame it on the kids! We like to dumb things down a lot but our children are hungry beyond our expectations. If you tell your children that the 1650 is archaic, outdated, or in another language... they will start to believe that lie. If you use the 1650 and don't complain in front of them about your own lack of comprehension, you will all grow to love the 1650 more.
Have no idea what it would cost to post but here is the official supplier over here
Covenanter Bookshop
Scroll down page for psalters.
Are the versions of the Book of Psalms for Worship that are currently available at Crown and Covenant the revised editions?
If you tell your children that the 1650 is archaic, outdated, or in another language... they will start to believe that lie.