As Chris indicated, capitalization rules back then were a little different than what we use today (as well as spelling!). I no longer have the CD from Old Paths Publications with the original facsimile of the Westminster Standards; that could clear this up quickly. (I'm assuming, with all the work you're doing creating a critical text for the Confession, that you have something like that, Chris.)
However, in my SWRB CD's, there is a facsimile of the Directory for the "Publique" Worship of God. Every time the word "psalm" is used, it is capitalized. Hence:
"Wee commend also the more frequent reading of such Scriptures, as hee that readeth shall think best for edification of his Hearers; as the Book of
Psalms, and such like" (p. 13, "Of Publique Reading of the holy Scriptures").
"When the Minister, who readeth, shall judge it necessary to expound any part of what is read, let it not be done untill the whole Chapter, or
Psalm be ended: And regard is alwayes to be had unto the time, that neither Preaching or other Ordinance be straitned, or rendred tedious. Which Rule is to be observed in all other publique performances" (ibid.).
"After Reading of the Word (and singing of the
Psalm) the Minister who is to Preach, is to endeavour to get his own, and his Hearers hears to be rightly affected with their sins, that they may all mourn in sense thereof before the Lord, and hunger and thirst after the grace of God in Jesus Christ, by proceeding to a more full Confession of Sin, with shame and holy confusion of face; and to Call upon the Lord to this effect;" (p. 14, "Of Publike Prayer before the Sermon").
"Ordinarily, the subject of his Sermon is to be some Text of Scripture, holding forth some principle or head of Religion; or suitable to some speciall occasion emergent; or hee may goe on in some Chapter,
Psalme, or Booke of the holy Scripture, as hee shall see fit" (p. 28, "Of the Preaching of the Word").
"The Prayer ended, let a
Psalme be sung, if with conveniency it may be done. After which (unless some other Ordinance of Christ that concerneth the Congregation at that time be to follow) let the Minister dismisse the Congregation with a solemne Blessing" (pp. 38, 39, "Of Prayer after the Sermon").
"That what time is vacant, between, or after the solemne meetings of the Congregation in publique, be spent in Reading, Meditation, Repetition of Sermons; (especially, by calling their families to an account of what they have heard,) and catechizing of them, holy conferences, Prayer for a blessing upon the Publique Ordinances, singing of
Psalmes, visiting the sick, relieving the poore, and such like duties of piety, charity and mercy, accounting the Sabbath a delight" (p. 57, "Of the Sanctification of the Lords Day").
"So large a portion of the Day, as conveniently may be, is to be spent in Publique Reading, and Preaching of the Word, with singing of
Psalmes fit to quicken affections suitable to such a Duty; but especially in Prayer, to this or the like effect" (p. 76, "Concerning Publique Solemne Fasting").
"And because singing of
Psalmes is of all other the most proper Ordinance for expressing of Joy and Thanksgiving, let some pertinent
Psalme or
Psalmes be sung for that purpose, before or after the reading of some portion of the Word suitable to the present businesse" (p. 81, "Concerning the Observation of Dayes of Publique Thankesgiving").
"The Sermon ended, let him not only pray, as at other times after preaching is directed, with remembrance of the necessities of the Church, King, and State, (if before the Sermon they were omitted) but inlarge himself in due and solemn Thanksgiving for former mercies and deliverances, but more especially for that which at the present calls them together to give thanks: with humble petition for the continuance and renewing of Gods wonted mercies, as need shall be, and for sanctifying grace to make a right use thereof. And so, having sung another
Psalme suitable to the mercy, let him dismisse the Congregation with a blessing, that they may have some convenient time for their repast and refreshing" (pp. 81, 82, ibid.).
"When the Congregation shall be againe assembled, the like course in praying, reading, preaching, singing of
Psalmes, and offering up of more praise and thanksgiving, that is before directed for the morning, is to be renewed and continued so far as the time will give leave" (p. 82, ibid.).
"OF SINGING OF
PSALMES. (Note.---Here, the word "Psalmes" employs a smaller font of capitalization for "salmes" than for the "P," thus still following the same capitalization rule preceding and following.)
"It is the duty of Christians to praise God publiquely by singing of
Psalmes together in the Congregation, and also privately in the Family.
"In singing of
Psalmes, the voice is to be tunably and gravely ordered: but the chief care must be, to sing with understanding, and with Grace in the heart, making melody unto the Lord.
"That the whole Congregation may joyne herein, every one that can reade is to have a
Psalme book, and all others not disabled by age, or otherwise, are to be exhorted to learn to reade. But for the present, where many in the Congregation cannot read, it is convenient that the Minister, or some other fit person appointed by him and the other Ruling Officers, do reade the
Psalme, line by line, before the singing thereof" (pp. 83, 84, "Of Singing of Psalmes").
If someone can get that CD (or the book) from Old Paths, or quote it here, hopefully that rumor of "the Westminster Assembly used lower-case 'p'" can finally be put to rest. But I hope that this suffices.
.........
And, yeah. Chris answered my question already.
