Chapter 11: Reading the Psalms in Preparation for Singing

The last scruple remaining in the manner of singing concerns the order of singing after the reading of the Psalms. For it is doubted by some, and concluded by others that reading of the Psalms is not to be allowed in order to singing. We for our parts easily grant, that where all have books and can read, or else can say the Psalm by heart, it were needless there to read each line of the Psalm before hand in order to singing. But if it be granted, which is already proved, that the Psalms to be ordinarily sung in public, are Scripture-Psalms, and those to be sung by the body of the congregation, then to this end it will be a necessary help, that the words of the Psalm be openly read before hand, line after line, or two lines together, that so they who want either books or skill to read, may know what is to be sung, and join with the rest in the duty of singing. It is no unwarrantable invention of man, brought into the worship of God, to make use of such means, which the light of nature teaches us to be either necessary or convenient helps, either to the hearing or understanding of what is said in the worship of God. Scaffolds erected in meeting houses are inventions of men; no express precept, nor example in Scripture calls for them; and yet the light of nature easily suggests it, that they help to hearing, and so to edification, in as much as they draw multitudes of people to sit within the minister's voice. That which helps the very outward sense of hearing, helps also knowledge and understanding, and so edification. And therefore no man takes exceptions at scaffolds as inventions of men, though they be used to help forward God's worship, and spiritual edification; because they are not brought in, nor used for spiritual means immediately, but remotely, so far as they are fit to help the outward sense of hearing and so understanding. Of like use is reading in order to singing. It gives the people to hear, and so to understand, what is to be sung, that so they may join with the rest in singing of the Psalm: and by singing be stirred up to use holy harmony, both with the Lord and his people.

Object 1. The Scripture mentions no ordinary reading in any church, but that which is joined with interpretation.

Answer 1. The Scripture does expressly mention Baruch to have read the word in a church assembly, without adjoining any interpretation to it (Jeremiah 36:6, 7).

Answer 2. As preaching of the word is an ordinance, so reading the word in order to preaching, is an ordinance also. In like sort, as singing of Psalms is an ordinance, so reading the Psalms in order to singing, is allowable also.

Answer 3. It is mentioned in Scripture, that the children of Israel did all join in singing the Song of Moses at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1). Now it is not credible, that they who were bred and brought up in bondage, were brought up to read. It were much if one of a thousand of them could read. If most of them could not read, how could they join in singing that Psalm, unless some or other read, or pronounced the Psalm to them?

Answer 4. Though it be true, that the church of Israel had such an ordinance among them, that after the reading of the Law, or the Prophets, some or other of the priests or Levites, or prophets, were wont to expound the same to the people (Acts 13:15 and 15:21, Nehemiah 8:7, 8), yet the very reading of the word itself was also an ordinance, though no exposition followed (Deuteronomy 31:11, 12, 13; Deuteronomy 27:14 to 26).

Object 2. The Scripture prescribes not what officer shall perform this act, to read the Psalm in order to singing.

Answer. The Scripture prescribes this, as it does many other matters of ordering God's house, to wit, under general rules. It is nowhere expressly prescribed in Scripture, who shall be the mouth of the rest in the public admonition, or excommunication of an offender; yet by general rules, it may easily be collected, that public dispensations of the church, do ordinarily pertain to the public officers of the church. Any of the preaching or ruling elders may warrantably go before the people, in putting the words of the Psalm into their mouths.

Object 3. This reading of the Psalm does hinder the melody, the understanding, the affection in singing.

Answer. If a man's prejudice against reading does not hinder himself, reading hinders none of these; not melody, for the reading is not in the art of singing, but in the pause; nor the understanding, for it helps such as cannot read, or want books to understand what is to be sung, which otherwise they could hardly perceive; nor the affection, for when the melody is not interrupted, and the understanding furthered, the affection is rather helped than hindered; or if it be hindered, lay the fault where it is, rather in a coy, or cold heart, than in a distinct and intelligent reading.