Realizing the Psalms: Options for Singing or Speaking

Throughout Christian history, Psalms have been presented or “performed” in liturgy in many ways, both spoken (solo voice, choral reading, or congregational responsive reading) and sung (in one of several forms of chant, in responsorial settings, metrical settings, solo or choral anthems), though the vast majority of practices in history push beyond speaking to some form of song. In recent years, the Psalms have also been sung to new settings in popular, folk, or contemporary styles of music, and depicted visually. The following paragraphs briefly describe this range of options, offer brief commentary on their strengths and weaknesses, and provide an annotated guide to publications and recordings of each mode of presentation. Read More

This article's discussion of various modes of presentation of the Psalms may prove helpful in exploring ways that Psalms might be use in services of public worship when singing or chanting the Psalms may be restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Psalm may be read by a single reader or lector or sung by a soloist and followed by a period of silence in which the congregation reflects upon the Psalm and if so moved by the Holy Spirit members of the congregation pray in silence or spontaneously in a low voice. The COVID-19 pandemic may lead to the emergence of more contemplative forms of worship.

The extremely loud worship music heard in contemporary worship services and the concert-like atmosphere of these services reflects the influence of secular music and secular concerts upon the contemporary style of worship. To attract the younger generations to churches, it was concluded that they needed to be offered music like that with which they were acquainted outside the church. The unfamiliarity of traditional church music would be off-putting for them.

The praise and worship movement which originated in Pentecostal churches would also influence the type of music used in these services. The praise and worship movement introduced the use of worship sets; praise bands, modeled on the rock band: and drum kits into worship services.

The music groups that became a part of Christian worship due to the influence of the charismatic movement were based upon a folk group model and used a variety of forms of percussion--djembe, box drums, stacked bells, claves, and xylophone, typically associated with global forms of music. The music, while it was exuberant, was not as loud as the music heard in contemporary style worship services. A number of leaders of the charismatic movement would eventually migrate to traditions that had more contemplative forms of spirituality.

We may be seeing another such shift in focus. I wouldn't rule it out.