Practicing Psalm Tunes with Reverence to Scripture

[Afterthought]

I have heard that some Presbyterians historically have had "difficulties" with learning psalm tunes. Namely, the difficulty that the psalms are Scripture and should be held with reverence. In order to avoid irreverence, I have heard that schemes were developed such as practicing the psalm tune by sing it to secular words. That seems to me to go too far, but how can we (both as private individuals and congregationally) hold the Scriptures with reverence while practicing the tune to worshipful words that we are not singing with intention to worship God (since if one is practicing a tune, then one is hardly paying attention to the words)? Perhaps this actually isn't a problem? If not, how is it not?

 

[jambo]

I thought most of the Psalm tunes were sung in common metre, whilst long and short metre tunes would cover a good chunk of the rest. I believe however that practicing hymn tunes/singing could and should be done reverently and would see no issue. Practicing by substituting with secular words is a bit OTT.

 

[MW]

how can we (both as private individuals and congregationally) hold the Scriptures with reverence while practicing the tune to worshipful words that we are not singing with intention to worship God

Man's chief end is to glorify God. This does not exclude the pursuit of legitimate subordinate ends.

 

[johnny]

My wife and I are looking at making Barbershop Arrangements (In the form of simple polecats) to Psalm tunes.
We will be using the Scottish Psalter Versions and are looking for advice as to which tunes best suit which Psalms.

As for singing practice, A cappella is not an easy art form to do well. But I have always found rehearsals with our gospel group was the most fruitful edifying singing I have ever done. (much better than competition quartets)

Since moving to a Reformed Position around two years ago, I have left the chorus and closed down the Gospel Group and have been waiting for a chance to sing the Psalms using our skills as Barbershopers, so if there is anyone reading this post who lives in the Gold Coast Brisbane area who has a deep voice then please feel free to contact us as we are looking for a Bass.

 

[whirlingmerc]

Singing a psalm makes it a hundred times easier to learn

I am a fan of the musical group Sons of Korah but they may not be word for word but conveying the theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yL3N6CAAs


I am also a fan of the fighter verse songs with are word for word ESV
Fighter verse psalms has a few... but they don't have harmony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpKJMrPt_bU Ps 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChH4TZmuto&list=PLAdKzOzCc6WIkEKO5scYmE311EqBZFr-7 Ps 139
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v5_uwl6afM&index=8&list=PL7BA6D5EF7E62C10C Ps 23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI85AfUVrzw&index=55&list=PL7BA6D5EF7E62C10C Ps 91
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YScC-JaPV5Q&list=PL7BA6D5EF7E62C10C&index=56 Ps 91 another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRuV_SigY3o&index=57&list=PL7BA6D5EF7E62C10C Ps 96
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lUElfpfgz0&index=11&list=PL7BA6D5EF7E62C10C Ps 125
somewhere there is also a Ps 34 ... but I don't see it

 

[Afterthought]

Thanks for the thoughts, all!

 

[MichaelNZ]

If you're singing on your own, you can use familiar tunes like "Amazing Grace" or "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night" (these will work for the Scottish Psalter, anyway).

I don't see anything wrong with practicing Psalm tunes by singing psalms. I find with hymns at church I'm unfamiliar with that I can have sung the whole thing and not thought about the meaning of the words at all.

This reminds me of the Jewish practice of saying "Adoshem" instead of "Adonai" when demonstrating blessings. Adonai is used in place of the Tetragrammaton so it has itself become holy and Jews will not generally say it outside of the context of prayer. (Adoshem is a combination of "Adonai" and "HaShem" [lit "the name], the term that Jews use to refer to God in conversation).