Metrical Psalmody: An Introduction

Metrical Psalmody refers to the practice of translating a Psalm (or other portion of scripture) into metered and strophic verse, usually following one of the metrical patterns and rhyme schemes common in traditional hymnody (LM, CM, SM, etc. See Hymn Mechanicsii).

Integral to this practice is the skill and creativity of the translator. Paraphrasing a Psalm in metrical verse to create a beautiful and poetic scansion, yet retaining (as much as possible) the original sense of the Psalm is a very difficult undertaking. Consider the following versions of Psalm 137:

By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept,
 when we remembered you, O Zion.
As for our harps, we hung them up on the trees
 in the midst of that land.

- (Psalm 137: 1-4 New Revised Standard Version)


When we did sit in Babylon, the river round about,
There in remembrance of Sion, the tears for grief burst out.
We hanged our harps and instruments the willow trees upon,
For in that place men for their use had planted many one.


- (Psalm 137, stanza 1, 'The Whole Book of Psalms' by Sternhold and Hopkins, 1562)


When we our wearied limbs to rest
 sat down by proud Euphrates'stream
We wept with doleful thoughts oppresst
 and Zion was our mournful theme.

Our harps, that when with joy we sung,
 were wont their tuneful parts to bear,
With silent strings neglected hung,
 on willow trees that withered there.
 
- (Psalm 137, stanza 1 & 2, 'A New Version of the Psalms of David. . .' by Tate and Brady, 1696)

One of the most popular metrical psalms in use today is William Kethe's, "All people that on earth do dwell." This psalm (which appears in most modern hymnals) originally appeared in the Anglo-Genevan Psalter of 1561 and in editions of Sternhold and Hopkins, English Psalter after 1564 (The "Old Version"). [Handbook to the Baptist Hymnal, Nashville: The Convention Press, 1992, p. 88.]

Here's a comparison of Psalm 100, "All People that on Earth Do Dwell" (Sternhold & Hopkins) with Psalm 100 from the King's James version of the Bible:

Psalm 100 (Whole Booke of Psalmes,
Sternhold and Hopkins, 1564)
Psalm 100 (King James' Bible)

All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:
Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell,
come ye before him and rejoice.

The Lord ye know is God indeed,
without our aid he did us make;
We are his flock, he doth ns feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.

O enter then his gates with praise,
approach with joy his courts unto'
Praise, laud, and bless his Name always,
for it is seemly so to do.

For why? the Lord our God is good,
hs mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.

[Originally appeared in the Anglo-Genevan Psalter, 1561]

1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

Metrical psalmody originated in the 16th century through the influence of John Calvin (1509-1564) and his Protestant Reformation churches in Geneva, Switzerland. Simultaneous developments in metrical psalmody also took place in England during the same time. Eventually the practice of metrical psalmody would spread throughout England and Scotland and on to America. Even though most English-speaking churches no longer use metrical psalters per se, the tradition begun by John Calvin in Genevan and others in England during the mid-1500's has left its imprint on today's congregational song. Today ractically every major hymnal includes tunes from the Genevan and later psalters, as well as English language metrical psalms drawn from the psalters of England, Scotland, and America. Furthermore, there has been a revival of metrical psalmody in the closing decades of the 20th century in a number of North American churches. (SWU)

For more in-depth information, see English Metrical Psalmody.

General information about Metrical Psalmody

French Metrical Psalmody

English Metrical Psalmody

Scottish Metrical Psalmody

American Metrical Psalmody

From Psalm to Hymnal (from an exhibit at the Yale Divinity School Library)

Metrical Psalm Tune Index

Hymn Singing of 17th Century Separatists

Introduction to the Genevan Psalter [David T. Koyzis, Redeemer University College, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada}

Precursors to Metrical Psalmody (Psalmody before 1530)

Contemporary Metrical Psalmody

A short list of historical Metrical Psalms and Psalm tunes you should know

Psalm 23 Compared (various versions of Psalm 23 compared)

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Site last updated: January 17, 2007