Neil wrote:
Please refer me to a Psalter tune which is objectively immune to the charge of being overly emotional (whatever that is), and the musicological/Biblical analysis which proves this beyond doubt.

Psalter "tune"? ? Do you mean the "music"(?) used by the precentor's ?
Have you not heard the psalms sung to the precentor's lead? IE without musical instruments.

Neil wrote:
Exclusive Psalmody is really a side-issue for this news item, since it is conceivable that rap could be performed with Psalm lyrics & acapella, thus satisfying the stated requirements of the doctrine's advocates.

Thus it is the same debate as the 'man made hymn' singers, in that they also would REPLACE Holy Scripture with man's "improved on the divine" method of praise in worship.

The emotionally generated music and lyrics used today in the modern churches, are more specifically geared to human elation, sentiment, feelings and sensation, - rather than the delivery of honour, adoration and worship in praise of God.

Lurker wrote:
1 a) No. Just the Psalms only "view"

1 b) ...burden of proof.

2) a man's doctrine (Psalms only)

3) I am what I am.

# How did Christians sing the praises of God for 1500 years

2) You mean you are not really convinced of God's involvement in recording praise - for a purpose. OH! And what is "praise" for again.

3) Thats no excuse for your sinful ways Lurker.

# Being a good Calvinist I bring you this news...
"During a long time in the middle ages, the people of the Church did not sing in the public worship services. It was John Calvin who rediscovered the book of Psalms for the people of the Church and who transferred the singing in the Church from the clergy to the Church as a whole. The reformer of Geneva taught the Church again to sing her Psalms." (spindleworks.com)
1538 Calvin printed a small book of psalms.
1542 Marot published another.
And so forth. Of course "printing" was a 'wee' problem in earlier centuries! But learning by rote was available.

John UK wrote:
A) I wonder if you make a distinction between worship and prayer. For example, if I wanted to have a time of praise and thanksgiving

B) But just then I realise that I haven't used the words from one of the psalms, so I apologise profusely, look up the psalms in my Bible

A) Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

B) I think your confused again John. According to this debate we are having the alternative to "Psalms Only" - is "Hymns only" which you are advocating. Therefore would YOU not rush to your favorite hymn book to carry out this "theoretical" example?

Or does the Holy Spirit help and guide you in prayer with God's people?

Lurker wrote:
I'd say the Psalms only brothers present a view which is stuffy, wooden and ritualistic and has a hard time standing up to practical application such as John pointed out below.

Also does this judgment of yours "stuffy, wooden, ritualistic" also apply to the rest of Holy Scripture when used by God's people?

Mike wrote:
So if in the meeting house you sing "I will sing unto thee among the nations," you consider it singing praise to God, even if you never sing unto him among the nations. Interesting perspective.

Mike wrote:
If we read a Psalm that says "I will sing praises unto the Lord,"

NEXT Verse...

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me."