Exclusive Psalmody

My recent posting of my paper, Exclusive Psalmody - A Scriptural Evaluation, got me thinking just a little on this topic again. I have not followed any thinking on this for years. After I did a quick google on the term, found a web page attempting to answer some of the objections I raised (not that they were answering me specifically, but the objections addressed were some of the same I voiced in my paper. I don't think they did a terribly good job. You can be the judge if you care and or have time.

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Some simple objections

Your essay Exclusive Psalmody - A Scriptural Evaluation grants us an foothold in the question: what is forbidden.

Let's think about this logically. If we accept that anything not prescribed in the Scriptures is prohibited, we must consider the writings of Calvin himself, indeed all of the church falters, as being outside the realm of holy study; that is to say, where do the Scriptures command the study of writings outside of the canon. This reasoning excludes the Westminister Confession, The works of Calvin, Luther, et al. Using this argument, the only document worthy of study is the Bible; any other study is therefore non spiritual.

Further, following this logic to its furthest conclusion, God provided the Scriptures in three primary languages, it was man who made the translations. Does this mean we must only study in the original tongue? That is the text directly intended by the Father, after all.

Obviously, these examples prove ridiculous. Of course, the church fathers have written excellent works worthy of study, not exclusive of the Bible but in addition; one would be hard pressed to find a church that believes in exclusive psalmody that does not reference a extra biblical text. And, it is dangerous to require believers to study the Word only in its original language, the reason the Reformation was so successful is the translation of the Bible into the vernacular; without this innovation, the individual man would have no access to the Scriptures.

It is irresponsible, and illogical, to use silence as prohibition; this is simply not how human beings work. God does not command us to drive cars, go caroling at Christmas, or blog; however, these things, and countless innovations not mentioned in the Bible, are good and useful for obedience and spiritual things.

objections - with Exclusive Psalmists? or me? : )

Yeah, well put. I couldn't agree with you more. That is exactly what I meant. To view the popular summation "that which is not commanded is prohibited" as supportable via the Scriptures, the laws of logic, or even plain old common sense is laughable. But those in the Exclusive Psalmody camp just don't see it like that.

The Psalmists...

Exactly. Imagine the scope the Bible would have to cover if we were only allowed to do those things which were explicitly commanded. Does the Bible call for a church to have a music director, explicitly? Does it command having choirs? The Bible doesn't say I can, does that mean I am not alowed to study literature? The arguments simply do not hold water.

Sub thought: We are focusing on the words, but what about the heart of worship. Does a psalm, which we know is inspired by God, sung by an ungrateful heart praise God more or less than a slightly flawed song, though written with the best a man can give, sung from a truly bowed heart? The words of the psalms themselves are like burnt offerings that become a stench in God's nostrils, when not offered from a heart of praise and worship; but the imperfect words of the contrite heart are a sweet aroma.

The Heart Issue In Worship

Yes. With out a doubt your 'sub thought' is really the main issue. Seems to be God's main concern also, as you already mentioned. Much of what He says re: worship centers on the inner self:

Psalm 2:11 Worship the LORD with reverence, And rejoice with trembling.

John 4:23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

To ignore God's emphasis here is to engage in nothing more than empty ritual. This is not a new problem, the people of Israel also struggled (and failed miserably) in this area:

Isaiah 29:13 Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,

How oftern do believers fall into this trap? Even when earnestly desiring and seeking to avoid it? It is a constant struggle with every spiritual discipline.

Thanks for the feedback and thoughts : )