Singing God’s Psalms

Last updated on: March 17, 2019 at 5:12 am by Michael F. Bird

Singing God’s Psalms 2019-03-16T03:01:28-04:00 Michael F. Bird

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Fred R. Anderson

Singing God’s Psalms: Metrical Psalms and Reflections for Each Sunday in the Church Year
Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2016.
Available at Eerdmans.

By Jill Firth

Singing God’s Psalms had its genesis in a time of spiritual dryness for pastor Fred Anderson, who turned to the Psalms for nourishment, recalling advice from seminary professor Bernhard Anderson (no relation). Following the example of John Calvin, who had valued the metrical psalms, Anderson began rendering one psalm into meter each week. Based on English translations, but with some recourse to Hebrew, he developed singable versions of the psalms, paired with familiar hymn tunes, and trialled them in his church. By the end of the year, though he could not compete with Isaac Watts, who reputedly metred a psalm every day before breakfast, Anderson had completed over twenty psalms. He also found his prayer had been renewed through his immersion in the Psalter.

By 2012, the lectionary project was complete. In his foreword to Singing God’s Psalms, Walter Brueggemann writes his appreciation of the work of Anderson, noting that the lectionary psalms emphasise praise but are light on lament and complaint. Anderson found the lament of Psalm 130 the most difficult to write. He set it to the tune “In Babilone.”

From the depths of deepest grieving,

Lord, I cry to you in trust.

If you counted our transgressions,

Who could be considered just?

Anderson’s next project is to complete metered versions for the remainder of the 150 psalms of the full Psalter.

Anderson has prepared a psalm for each Sunday of the church year according to the three year Common Lectionary (Revised). He renders the psalms into contemporary and inclusive language. A brief explanation of the history of metrical psalm singing, and common metrical patterns, is given on pages xiv-xvi. A list of psalms and canticles for all three years of the lectionary is found on pages xvii-xx. The book also includes versions of the canticles including the Song of Hannah; Isaiah 12.2-6; Isaiah 58.1-12; Lamentations 3.19-26; Song of Mary; Song of Zechariah; and Song of Simeon. Accompanying each psalm and canticle is a brief pastoral reflection, which was originally blogged on his church’s website.

Fred R. Anderson is pastor emeritus of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. Fifty of his psalms are available in an earlier collection, Singing Psalms of Joy and Praise (Westminster John Knox Press, 1986). Singing God’s Psalms is published in the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies Series (edited by John D. Witvliet) which promotes reflection on the history, theology and practice of Christian worship and seeks to stimulate renewal of worship in Christian congregations. Other volumes in the series consider the relationship of worship to art, poetry, music, history and evangelism. Singing God’s Psalms would be enjoyed especially in churches where traditional tunes are well known.

Jill Firth is a Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament at Ridley College in Melbourne. She holds a PhD in Psalms studies.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 16, 2019

My Response to Senator Fraser Anning: Don't Drag Jesus into Your Hatred

Next Post

March 17, 2019 Melito of Sardis on Christ in the Old Testament

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Lands Blogosphere Book Review Calvinism Colleges & Universities Ecclesiology Emerging Adulthood Evangelicalism Foreign Affairs Gospel of John Greco-Roman World Humor Just War N. T. Wright Old Testament Resurrection Terrorism Theological Education Travel Uncategorized Writing

Select a Month September 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 January 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: The Israelites were commanded to observe the Day of Atonement once a year.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE

Books by This Author Books by Mike Bird

See All Titles »