An Argument For Inclusion

That is a pithy title, no? So, naturally the question would be what kind of inclusion am I speaking of? Well I am of course speaking of the inclusion of the Psalms in worship, (what other kind is there?!) and my gladness that this takes place in some churches. And, just so we’re all on the same page, this will be a two part series in which I will write about exclusive psalmody in the second article.

Singing in worship

Have you ever wondered why we sing in worship? Without understanding why we do particular things during the course of worship, it can be a little interesting to consider the portions that transpire and why we do them. I mean, is it just a coincidence that the vast majority of churches all participate in the same activities on the Lord’s day? Now, I know that not all churches do exactly the same things, but for the most part, on any given Sunday we would witness singing praises to God, prayer, the reading of Gods word, preaching, and perhaps baptism and/or the Lord’s supper. And, depending on the church you attend you may or may not see the pastor use a super soaker as a sermon illustration…

Why is this? the WCF 21.3, 5 helps us here:

III. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship,(f) is by God required of all men:(g) and that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,(h) by the help of His Spirit,(i) according to His will,(k) with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance;(l) and, if vocal, in a known tongue.(m)

(f) Phil. 4:6.
(g) Ps. 65:2.
(h) John 14:13-14; I Pet. 2:5.
(i) Rom. 8:26.
(k) I John 5:14.
(l) Ps. 47:7; Eccles. 5:1-2; Heb. 12:28; Gen. 18:27; James 5:16; James 1:6-7; Mark 11:24; Matt. 6:12, 14, 15; Col. 4:2; Eph. 6:18.
(m) I Cor. 14:14.

V. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear,(r) the sound preaching(s) and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith and reverence;(t) singing of psalms with grace in the heart;(u) as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ; are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God:(w) beside religious oaths,(x) vows,(y) solemn fastings,(z) and thanksgivings, upon special occasions,(a) which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in a holy and religious manner.(b)

(r) Acts 15:21; Rev. 1:3.
(s) 2 Tim. 4:2.
(t) James 1:22; Acts 10:33; Matt. 13:19; Heb. 4:2; Isa. 66:2.
(u) Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; James 5:13.
(w) Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 11:23 to 29; Acts 2:42.
(x) Deut. 6:13 with Neh. 10:29.
(y) Isa. 19:21 with Eccles. 5:4-5.
(z) Joel 2:12; Esther 4:16; Matt. 9:15; I Cor. 7:5.
(a) Ps. 107 throughout; Esther 9:22.
(b) Heb. 12:28.

This area of the WCF helps us see and understand what are commonly called the elements of worship. These are those parts of worship that the bible calls us to observe on the Lords day when the people of God gathers together. This is crucial to know, because, it is the opinion of many in the evangelical world, that we are at liberty to worship God in ways that God has not explicitly told us. It is the opinion of many that we are at liberty to do something other than what we find in the scripture. This view is called the normative principle of worship and is the dominant view throughout the Christian landscape in America. Contrary to this view is what I am advocating, which is called the regulative principle of worship. This simply means that the worship of the Triune God is regulated by himself via his own word. But to my point, this is why we sing in worship.

Including The Psalms

I have no doubt, that many reading this do not sing the Psalms in their worship. This does not surprise me. However, with a brief look at the scriptures and an evaluation as to why we sing in worship at all it will become clear that every church that does not at least include the Psalms is in violation of Gods directive for worship.

I won’t be explaining every portion of these scriptures, but the point that I want to make clear is the content of what we are to sing.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Ephesians 5:19 “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart”

James 5:13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”

(“Praise” at the end of James 5:13 is the Greek word “Psallo,” which in the New Testament means to the Psalms, and is translated “Psalms” in other versions)

These various scriptures are where we come to the understanding that singing is a necessary element of worship. But further, these passages indicate that the Psalms are to be at least part of the content of worship. So, here it is. We sing in worship because the bible tells us to sing. However, the scriptures don’t just tell us that we must sing, but they tell us what to sing. And it is on this point that the inclusion of Psalms is an unavoidable reality.

It is my hope that many churches will one day, at least, include the Psalms in their worship, and in so doing, be more faithful to the Lord their God, and how he desires to be worshiped!

S.D.G.