A Treatise On Exclusive Psalmody Part 1: A Starting Point
In my previous article, An Argument For Inclusion, I gave an argument for including the Psalms as part of the worship of God. However, now I desire to make an argument for singing nothing but the Psalms in worship. In other words, singing the Psalms exclusively. This topic has a tendency to get very in-depth, historic, and span the entirety of the scripture, so for the sake of this article, we will touch briefly on the most crucial points (in this author’s opinion) of this doctrine (however this article will be considerably longer). In this article, however, we will not begin to discuss the topic of instrumentation in worship.
However, some preliminary remarks are necessary before we continue. It is well attested to, by even those who do not believe in the exclusive singing of Psalms in corporate worship, that the Psalms are absolutely beautiful. They are considered “mini bibles” by some, and are looked at with great love and devotion by many. In the context of the unbiblical worship we see happening in churches all over America, it is often stated that in lieu of that, many would prefer singing the Psalms over singing even one more song by other groups. Others see the majesty that is contained within the Psalms and desire that they be sung - as they were in the history of God’s people - even though they do not believe they ought to be sung exclusively. This position is the only other tenable position in the author's opinion. If a church sings no Psalms they are in stark rebellion to the word of God (Ephesians 5:19). However, the author is not neutral, so the goal is to persuade you, or at the very least make such an argument for this position that you will be compelled into a deeper study of what you believe and why.
WCF 16.5-6
5. We cannot, by our best works, merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins; but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.
6. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him, not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreproveable in God’s sight; but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.
A Starting Point
The second commandment, found in Exodus 20:4-6 says,
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
It seems that many find this command to be rather innocuous. In the first instance, we might say, well “I’m not making for myself a ‘carved image’ or any likeness of anything in heaven, on the Earth, or in the water, and I’m certainly not bowing down to them or serving them.” And this is more than likely an accurate statement, at least as it appears outwardly. However, we cannot be a people that look to the letter of the law and no further. What is meant in this command is what we find written for our aid in the WLC QA 108 saying:
Q. 108. What are the duties required in the second commandment?
A. The duties required in the second commandment are, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath instituted in his Word; particularly prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Christ; the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Word; the administration and receiving of the sacraments; church government and discipline; the ministry and maintenance thereof; religious fasting; swearing by the name of God, and vowing unto him: as also the disapproving, detesting, opposing, all false worship; and, according to each one’s place and calling, removing it, and all monuments of idolatry.
So in the course of our lives, we may say we are free from idolatry, however, we must understand that “idols are thoughts, desires, longings, and expectations that we worship in the place of God.”[1] John Calvin echoes this sentiment in saying, “man’s heart is a perpetual factory of idols.” So, what we see is that God is warning against idolatry of the heart in the course of our lives certainly, however, this is a directive is given primarily to govern our worship, which ought to be the fountainhead from which the rest of our lives flow.
[1] Fitzpatrick, Elyse. 2001. Idols of The Heart. N.p.: P&R.
