S U N D A Y   S N I P P E T S (tm) #  3 9               20 August 1995

                        Metrical Psalms (Psalm 87)
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Many, if not most, people are unaware that the entire Book of Psalms 
(a.k.a. The Psalter) has been translated into Metre and Verse in a number of 
versions.  One of the most illustrious of these version is the Scottish
Psalter.  There is also a Wesleyan Psalter, mostly the effort of Charles 
Wesley; and many other Psalters available.

These metrical Psalters were in widespread use in the 15th, 16th, and 17th 
centuries, where the Psalms served as the cornerstone of congregational 
singing in the English-speaking Protestant churches.  This was a revival 
of the practice of the early church (the first 4 centuries of
Christianity; incl. Augustine) where the texts of the inspired Book of 
Psalms was preferred over the compositions of men in worship.

As a sample, here is the text of the eighty-seventh Psalm in metre suitable 
for singing:
                        Psalm 87
                
Upon the holy hills the Lord  Has His foundation laid;
He loves the gates of Zion more  Than dwellings Jacob made.

O city of our God, there are  Things glorious said of thee.
I'll mention Egypt, Babylon  Among those knowing me.

Include the land of Palestine;  Let Tyre the survey share,
With distant Ethiopia:  "This is a man born there!"

And so of Zion it is said, "Each one was born in her;"
And He that is Himself Most High,  He has established her.

The Lord, when listing peoples, notes,  "This is a man born there!"
And singers with their minstrels say,  "Our fountains in thee are."

   (tune suggestions:  St Leonard, or  Crimond, or  St Columba)

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"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one 
another in psalms..."                   - Colossians 3:16a (NKJV)




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