Quick Overview of Metrical Psalmody

Psalm is an Ancient Greek term for 'striking' or 'plucking', given to the verses of the Hebrew 'Book of Praises' (i.e. the biblical Psalms) by the translators of the Septuagint.

- Historical overview of Psalmody

- Singing the Psalms: A Brief History (Laudemont Ministries)

- Metrical Psalmody is the practice of setting the Psalms as metrical poems so they can be sung to tradition tunes (as opposed to chanting the Psalms in prose form).

- Clement Marot (ca. 1497-1544) was one of the first poets to successfully set Metrical Psalms (he set a total of 50).

- John Calvin used Marot's Psalms and in combination with others by Theodore Bèza completed the entire Psalter in French in 1562 (The Genevan Psalter).

- The main heritage from the Genevan Psalter for English Protestants were the Genevan psalm tunes, not the texts.

- English Protestants became familiar with the Genevan practice of Metrical Psalm singing during the years of the reign of Queen Mary when they were in exile in Geneva.

- Thomas Sternold created metrical psalms in English about the same time as the Genevan Psalter was being completed (before 1549). This was probably an independent activity with no influence or knowledge of the Genevan Psalter.

- The first complete English version of metrical psalms was the Anglo-Genevan Psalter which was created in Geneva (in 1556) by the Protestant exiles and then brought back to England after the death of Mary and the ascension of Queen Elizabeth I. This was the first English Psalter to include tunes.

- The complete English Psalter (the 'Old Version') was completed in 1562 and became the official Psalter of the Church of England and other English Protestants. This contained primarily psalms by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins. However, many psalms from the Anglo-Genevan Psalter were also included.

- A Scottish Psalter was produced in 1564 which is still in use today. This was originally a revision of the Anglo-Genevan Psalter. Later version (1615, 1635) contained tunes which are still in use today.

- American Puritans produced the Bay Psalm Book in 1640 and this achieved wide acceptance in America as well as some use in England.

- Despite the efforts of many (see Benjamin Keach), only metrical psalms were sung in public worship in England from about 1562 to well into the 18th century.

- No metrical psalms from Sternhold & Hopkins (the 'Old Version') are used in modern hymnals.

- In 1696, Tate and Brady published a new Psalter, the 'New Version of the Psalms of Daivd'). Although of higher poetic quality, it did not achieve general acceptance. Sternhold & Hopkins continued to be used generally throughout the 18th century, particularly by those groups who were not inclined to sing hymns.

- Isaac Watts produced 'paraphrased' versions of the Psalms in a published volume in 1719 ('The Psalms of David Imitated...'). The wide acceptance of Watts' Psalms created a momentum which eventually led to the acceptance of hymns in public worship.

- Metrical Psalmody continued to be used in America, particularly in the Reformed tradition well into the 19th century.

- In the 20th century, several denominations (strict Calvinists) continue to use (and in some instances, exclusively use) metrical Psalms: