FREE COVENANTER and REFORMATION RESOURCES (Books, MP3s,
CDs and Articles)
Exclusive Psalmody,
Covenanter / Reformation
Worship (RPW) and a FREE Copy the Scottish Metrical Psalter (1650)
Still
Waters Revival Books (www.swrb.com)
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FREE COVENANTER and REFORMATION RESOURCES (Books,
MP3s, CDs and Articles)
Exclusive Psalmody,
Covenanter / Reformation
Worship (RPW), a FREE Copy the Scottish
Metrical Psalter (1650) and FREE Spanish Metrical Psalms!
Still
Waters Revival Books (www.swrb.com)
Discount and Free Covenanter, Puritan and Reformation
Christian book distributors serving Christians worldwide (in over 100 countries)
for 24+ years.
FREE The Psalms of David in Metre (being the Scottish Metrical Psalter,
first authorized by the Westminster Divines and then also by the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland [in 1650], with notes by John Brown of
Haddington.)
Psalm Singing in Scripture &
History by Reg
Barrow
Worship: The Regulative Principle of
Worship in History
by Reg Barrow (Discusses
the very foundation of all faithful public worship. Dovetails splendidly with
Calvin's Necessity of Reforming the Church (http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm). Cites numerous examples from
Reformation history (Calvin, Knox, Owen, the Westminster Divines, etc.)
exhibiting the Reformation consensus regarding the basis of biblical
faithfulness in this area. A good short, easy-reading introduction to this
topic.)
Biblical Worship by Kevin Reed
The Development of the Scottish Psalter by David Silversides (with quotes
from notable Puritans on the Scottish Psalter)
http://www.reformation-scotland.org.uk/articles/development-of-scottish-psalter.php
FREE Spanish Metrical Psalms ("The Genevan ones are LeQuesne's translation [metrification]
for singing.")
http://www.iglesiareformada.com/Salterio_Ginebra.html
FREE Spanish Psalms
(Non-metrified Psalms as translated by Valdes)
http://www.iglesiareformada.com/Valdes-Salterio.html
Foundation For Reformation: The Regulative Principle Of Worship - Greg L.
Price
Free at: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/REFORMATION-RPW-GP.htm
Regulative Principle of Worship in the New Testament by Greg Price (Puritan Worship series)
- FREE MP3 at: http://tinyurl.com/346pb or at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=380119184
Regulative Principle of Worship in the Old Testament by Greg Price (Puritan Worship series)
- FREE MP3 at: http://tinyurl.com/2moyh or at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=380103046
FREE PURITAN WORSHIP SERIES (33 free MP3s!) by Greg Price, Greg Barrow and
R. J. George at: http://tinyurl.com/26fgn or at http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakerWithinSource=&keyword=swrb&keyworddesc=Still+Waters+Revival+Books&currsection=sermonssource&AudioOnly=false&SourceOnly=true&keywordwithin=puritan+worship (includes the seven sermons on exclusive
Psalmody noted below).
Seven free MP3 sermons on EXCLUSIVE PSALMODY by
GREG PRICE:
1.
Exclusive Psalmody 1/7 (Inspired Song vs. Uninspired Song)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=4300122819
2. Exclusive Psalmody 2/7 (God's Covenant Songs in Worship)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=530119268
3. Exclusive Psalmody 3/7 (Sufficiency of the Psalter)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=52101194038
4. Exclusive Psalmody 4/7 (Exclusive Psalmody & the Regulative
Principle)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=52501212814
5. Exclusive Psalmody 5/7 (Exclusive Psalmody in Church History)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=6180103919
6. Exclusive Psalmody 6/7 (& the Westminster Standards)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=6180151425
7. Exclusive Psalmody 7/7 (Objections to Exclusive Psalmody Answered)
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=62501134616
The Geneva Bible, Psalmody and More Credenda/Agenda Inaccuracies Answered by Larry Birger
Much more free material (books, MP3s, articles, etc.) on Reformation, Puritan
and Covenanter worship (i.e., the regulative principle of worship, exclusive
Psalmody, etc.) is at:
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/FREEBOOK/RefWorsh.htm
Back to the top of the page.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
REFORMATION
BOOKSHELF CD volume 19 (of 30 CDs) contains many classic Reformation works on
worship and is at: http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
"I have
been systematically working through reading the Puritan and Reformed CDs I
purchased. I must say, there is nothing like them available anywhere. It is the
most amazing collection of works I know of in one package to date... The
Puritan and Reformed material presented on these CDs is exceptional. I am
continually amazed at the depth and breadth of information in both collections,
and the rarity of works that I now have at my fingertips. You have done an
immeasurable service for the Kingdom of Christ in making these CDs available,
and every pastor and theologian should own them without question (they would be
foolhardy to pass them by)."
- For Christ's
Crown and Covenant,
Dr. C.
Matthew McMahon,
A Puritan's Mind Ministries
Many more
comments (by Banner of Truth magazine, Joel Beeke [President of Puritan
Reformed Theological Seminary], Calvin Beisner [Professor of Historical
Theology and Social Ethics at Knox Theological Seminary], Dr. E.P. Elliott
[Christian Observer magazine], et al.) on both the new Reformation Bookshelf CD
set of 30 CDs and the Puritan Bookshelf CD set of 32 CDs can be found at the
end of the page at: http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm.
ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE
The Ancient and Modern Mode
of Singing the Psalms (Sept., 1863)
Historically demonstrates how the Old Testament saints, the early New Testament
Christians and almost all Presbyterians (after adopting the Westminster
Standards) sang the Psalms by "lining them out" (e.g. see the
Westminster Directory for Public Worship). Musical instruments, a Papal
innovation, were also unheard of among faithful Reformers and "denominated
the ensigns of Baal." Basically a blast against "all the refined idolatries
of the churches" of the author's time. It also lays out the numerous
advantages of lining out the Psalms and shows how "things in themselves
indifferent, or even commendable, become unlawful when they have been made
instruments of dishonour to God or peculiar temptations to men."
(Rare Bound Photocopy) $9.95-70%=$2.99 (US funds)
MUSIC
All prices below are listed in
US funds.
PSALM SINGING ON CASSETTE &
CD (INCLUDING PSALTERS THAT MATCH THE RECORDED MUSIC).
THE PSALMS OF DAVID IN METRE
with Notes, Exhibiting the Connection, Explaining the Sense, and for Directing
and Animating the Devotion
John Brown of Haddington
(annotations). Psalter by Francis Rouse, the Westminster Divines, and the
Scottish General Assembly (from 1646-1650)
This is the Psalter mandated, approved and used (for public and private
worship) by the Westminster Assembly and all those who covenanted to uphold the
Biblical Reformation that these Divines proclaimed. The text of the Scottish
Metrical Psalms was authorized by the General Assembly of the Church of
Scotland in 1650. Concerning the care and preparation that went into this
unsurpassed Metrical Psalter, the January 15/93 issue of The Original
Covenanter and Contenting Witness
, magazine cites an earlier article which notes, "Rouse bestowed upon it
his greatest pains. This was not enough. For six Years it endured the scrutiny
of, and was revised by, two of the most learned Assemblies that ever sat in the
British Isles; at a time, too, when these men were zealous for truth and
suspicious of error. Every word was weighed, and every expression made exact,
before admitted into any statement of Biblical truth. They wrote not so that
they might be understood, but so that they could not be misunderstood. This
exactness and conscientiousness they carried with them in their translation of
the Psalms. In versifying them, they labored not to clothe the mind of the
Spirit in poetic finery, but to cause the muse to bow to the exact expression
of the Holy Ghost. The rhyme and rhythm are often defective; but what of that?
it is the very word of God. That it is, is the testimony of many eminent
Christian scholars. And so far from the poetry and style being deserving of
contempt or ridicule, men of great literary taste have seen much in it to
admire. Walter Scott says: 'The expression of the old metrical translation,
though homely, is plain, forcible, and intelligible, and very often possesses a
rude sort of majesty which, perhaps, would be ill exchanged for mere elegance.'
For more than two centuries they have stood the test, and every attempt to
render them more elegant has resulted in a departure from the exact expression
of the Spirit. Let us hold fast to this good old version until another proves
itself worthy of its place. History makes this sacred to us, These very words
our forefathers sung'mid the rocks and glens o'bonnie Scotland. Our fathers
sang them in the mountain wilds of Pennsylvania and the forests of the western
wilderness. With these words they lightened their labours, mitigated their
sorrows, assuaged their griefs, comforted their hearts, and lifted their souls
to heaven." The notes added by Brown are suitable for explaining the Psalm
before singing and are a great aid to daily family worship. Every father should
have a copy of the version with Brown's notes. If money is a factor, the
smaller, inexpensive hardcover, containing just the Psalms (see below) should
suffice for other members of the family. All the Psalms, excepting one, are
rendered into common metre (with occasional alternate version added) and thus
can be sung by even those with almost no knowledge of music. For example, the
tune to "Amazing Grace" is one of the many tunes that work with all
common metre renderings. And even Psalm 136, the one Psalm not in common metre,
can be sung to any common metre tune, as it adds only one extra syllable to the
end of ever second line. Maybe not a delight of the accomplished musician, but
certainly calculated to make the Psalms most accessible to young and old alike.
This is sure to please God and be most conducive to national reformation. The
Scottish Metrical Psalter is a faithful translation and without a doubt the
best Psalter (when covenanted reformation is in mind) in existence today.
(Hardcover) OUT OF PRINT, but free as etext as noted above.
For the hardcover without Brown's notes see just below.
A smaller hardcover version of
the Scottish Metrical Psalter
containing only the words of the Psalms is also available from SWRB for $14.99
(US funds)
SCOTTISH METRICAL PSALMS ON
CASSETTE
These cassettes
contain Psalms sung (unaccompanied, i.e. without musical instruments) from the
Scottish Metrical Psalter (1650, available above) by the Reformed Presbyterian
Church of Ireland Northern Presbytery Choir.
Scottish Metrical Psalms (cassette) 1/5
(Music cassette) $23.95-30%=$16.77 (US funds)
Scottish Metrical Psalms (cassette) 2/5
(Music cassette) $23.95-30%=$16.77 (US funds)
Scottish Metrical Psalms (cassette) 3/5
(Music cassette) $23.95-30%=$16.77 (US funds)
Scottish Metrical Psalms (cassette) 4/5
(Music cassette) $23.95-30%=$16.77 (US funds)
Scottish Metrical Psalms (cassette) 5/5
(Music cassette) $23.95-30%=$16.77 (US funds)
Scottish Metrical Psalms
(All FIVE music cassettes above) $119.75-33%=$80.23 (US funds)
DOHMS FAMILY
50 Suggested Tunes for Use
With the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650 (1998)
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his
name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto
him, talk ye of all his
wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that
seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments
of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen
ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful
always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an
everlasting covenant (1 Chr. 16:8-17, emphases added).
This tape was produced by Elder
Lyndon Dohms and his family to help those using or making the transition to the
Psalter of the Covenanted Reformation
(i.e. the Scottish Metrical Psalter
of 1650). This Psalter passed through the intense scrutiny of -- and was
authorized for public use by -- both the Westminster Assembly and the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland (at the height of her purity) in the mid
seventeenth century. Concerning the care and preparation that went into this
unsurpassed Metrical Psalter, the January 15 (1993) issue of The Original
Covenanter and Contenting Witness
magazine cites an earlier article which notes,
Rouse bestowed upon it his greatest
pains. This was not enough. For six Years it endured the scrutiny of, and was
revised by, two of the most learned Assemblies that ever sat in the British
Isles; at a time, too, when these men were zealous for truth and suspicious of
error. Every word was weighed, and every expression made exact, before admitted
into any statement of Biblical truth. They wrote not so that they might be
understood, but so that they could not be misunderstood. This exactness and
conscientiousness they carried with them in their translation of the Psalms. In
versifying them, they labored not to clothe the mind of the Spirit in poetic
finery, but to cause the muse to bow to the exact expression of the Holy
Ghost.... For more than two centuries (almost three and a half centuries
now--RB) they have stood the test, and every attempt to render them more
elegant has resulted in a departure from the exact expression of the Spirit (as
in the case of the present RPCNA Psalter, The Book of PSalms for Singing--RB). Let us hold fast to this good old
version until another proves itself worthy of its place.
Moreover, this Psalter was
produced to further national and international covenanted Reformation -- and to
fulfill the intent of the Solemn League and Covenant for biblically regulated
worship and biblical uniformity. It was crafted with faithfulness to the Word
of God utmost in the mind of its translators and fashioned in the manner most
fitting for ease of use among the general population -- making it a most
conducive engine for discipling the nations. To accomplish this last goal the Scottish Metrical
Psalter provides a
version of every Psalm in common metre (except Psalm 136 -- and even this
Psalm, with a little ingenuity, can be made to fit the various common metre
tunes). With all this in mind it is easy to recognize how (and why) this
"tune tape" has been created to help the contemporary Covenanter and
Psalm singer make good use of this godly and judicious offering -- a landmark
Psalter -- which we have received from the hands of our faithful forefathers.
On this cassette the Dohms
provide us with fifty separate tunes (sung acappella), most of which are common
metre -- but samples of other tunes used in this Psalter also appear (and are
noted by name on the tape before each tune is sung). All the common metre tunes
can be interchanged and used with all of the Psalms in the Scottish Metrical
Psalter of 1650
(sometimes listed as The Psalms of David in Metre in this catalogue). However, because
this cassette is primarily intended to familiarize the listener with a diverse
selection of tunes, only Psalms one and 23 are sung in their entirety. The
remaining 48 Psalms (Psalms 2-22 and 24-50) make use of two to four verses from
each Psalm. This allows the listener to sample a wider range of tunes on one
cassette -- and keeps the price of this tape down (as one is not forced to buy
numerous tapes to cover the fifty tunes offered here). This is also very useful
when it is remembered, as noted above, that all the common metre tunes can be
interchanged throughout this Psalter, as all the Psalms (excepting 136) in the Scottish
Metrical Psalter are
provided in a common metre version. For those who are interested, Psalms 6, 25,
45, 50, 67, 70, 100, 102, 124, 136, 143, 145, 148 are also translated for use
with an alternate tune in the Scottish Metrical Psalter (and at least one tune for each of these
alternate versions is provided on this tape).
As an added bonus, at the end of
this tape, Psalm one is also "lined out" (as mandated in the Westminster
Assembly's Directory for Public Worship), with a short explanation provided by elder Dohms for the
use of this ancient practice. The "lining out" is included to assist
those seeking to utilize the venerable practice of the church as it was upheld
during Old Testament times, the days of Christ and the Apostles, and during
both Reformations.
In short, this cassette is
provided as a valuable tool for those who love to sing God's holy Word, as a
useful aid for song leaders (and singers) in preparing for public, family and
secret worship, and for the listening pleasure and edification of all those who
love to hide God's Word in their heart!
(Cassette) $4.99 (US funds)
RELATED
TITLE:
BUSHELL, MICHAEL
The Songs of Zion: A Contemporary
Case for Exclusive Psalmody (third edition, 1999)
Contains one of the best
explanations of the Scriptural law of worship (also known as the regulative
principle of worship) in print today. For this and a number of other
reasons this was one of the most significant books published in the 20th
century concerning worship! Furthermore, it demonstrates and defends (from
Scripture, history and the creeds) the Reformation practice of exclusive
Psalmody. It dovetails splendidly with Eire's celebrated War Against the
Idols,
setting forth foundational principles that lay at
the very heart of Reformation thought, theology and practice. For as Bushell points out, "Purity of worship
and uniformity of worship go hand in hand because they are both founded upon
the assumption that the Scriptures contain clear, sufficient and authoritative
directions as to the proper way of worshiping God. The diversity of worship
practice that we see in our churches arises ultimately from a denial of this
assumption, and it constitutes, therefore, a denial of a central aspect of the
doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. There is much more at stake, then, in
this whole discussion than the mere observance or non-observance of a few
external rites" (2nd edition, 1993, p. 3). If
you are a Calvinist and have not read this book, you are missing a real treat!
SWRB SUPER SALE PRICE
(Softcover)
$24.95 (US funds) [$5 off!]
REGULAR PRICE
(Softcover) $29.95 (US funds)
Still
Waters Revival Books
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