Mr. Naples
Puritan Board Freshman
Hello, I have recently been looking into the doctrine of exclusive psalmody...I just finished listening to a sermon by Gavin Beers on the issue, and he has certainly got me thinking...I do have some initial questions though, most or all of which stem from my lack of knowledge of scripture, but they are the following, and I appreciate anyone who can shed some light on these:
- Why is singing a theologically correct, yet uninspired song or hymn any different than a prayer or praise that one might offer. prayers are obviously not inspired words, thus if I offer a prayer to God and it is acceptable, why is it, in this particular instance, if i were to "sing" that prayer it is not acceptable?
- This question stems from the first, though in a different environment, if one holds to a position of exclusive psalmody, when and where is it okay to sing anything but psalms? If I had a choice in my car to listen to John Denver, who isnt singing about the Lord, or The Gettys, who sing Christ centered music that is theologically sound, If i chose the latter and was meditating on the lyrics as I sung, which would be natural, would this not be a form of worship? and thus would it not be condemned by such a belief? Am I to choose to listen to something that is not Christ centered so I will not inadvertently be worshipping God in a way He does not desire?
I understand that taking any belief, however true and scriptural it may be, to an extreme is in error, it is not my intent here, I am simply trying to understand the biblical basis of this doctrine and also its application. I am not interested in debating and trying to prove that this practice is incorrect, rather I feel, at least practically that it IS correct, and thus I am compelled to the above questions, hoping their answers will begin a foundation of knowledge on the subject. For practically agreeing with something is to no avail, I need to agree and adhere to something based on principles and commands found in scripture. thanks
- Why is singing a theologically correct, yet uninspired song or hymn any different than a prayer or praise that one might offer. prayers are obviously not inspired words, thus if I offer a prayer to God and it is acceptable, why is it, in this particular instance, if i were to "sing" that prayer it is not acceptable?
- This question stems from the first, though in a different environment, if one holds to a position of exclusive psalmody, when and where is it okay to sing anything but psalms? If I had a choice in my car to listen to John Denver, who isnt singing about the Lord, or The Gettys, who sing Christ centered music that is theologically sound, If i chose the latter and was meditating on the lyrics as I sung, which would be natural, would this not be a form of worship? and thus would it not be condemned by such a belief? Am I to choose to listen to something that is not Christ centered so I will not inadvertently be worshipping God in a way He does not desire?
I understand that taking any belief, however true and scriptural it may be, to an extreme is in error, it is not my intent here, I am simply trying to understand the biblical basis of this doctrine and also its application. I am not interested in debating and trying to prove that this practice is incorrect, rather I feel, at least practically that it IS correct, and thus I am compelled to the above questions, hoping their answers will begin a foundation of knowledge on the subject. For practically agreeing with something is to no avail, I need to agree and adhere to something based on principles and commands found in scripture. thanks