The Enchiridion

Notes on Source Books ( Scottish Psalters )

( First time readers: please read the introductory notes on a separate page)

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Scottish Psalters, 1564-1650

(Julian, pp.1022-23)

 See notes on the following:

Scottish Psalter, 1564/1615 &c.
Scottish Psalters, 1631-38 (Alexander & Laud)
Scottish Psalter, 1635 (Andrew Hart)
Scottish Psalters, 1638-49 (Barton, Rous, &c.)
Scottish Psalter, 1650 (Authorised)
Scottish Psalter, 1929 (Revised)

See also the notes on

Translations & Paraphrases 1745/1781
Scottish Hymnal 1861 &c.
Church of Scotland hymn-books 1898-

[ Further information: NOTE Scottish Psalmody ]

.NOTE Scottish Psalmody

A short history of "Psalmody in the Church", with particular reference to the Scottish Psalters, is contained in the Handbook to the Church Hymnary, 3rd Edition (O.U.P. 1979), in an article by Stuart Louden on pp. 34-43.

 

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Scottish Psalter, 1564/1615 &c. 

(a) The Forme of Prayers and Ministration of the Sacraments, &c. used in the English Church at Geneua, approued and receiued by the Churche of Scotland, whereunto besydes that was in the former bokes, are also added sondrie other prayers, with the whole Psalmes of Dauid in English meter. Printed at Edinburgh by Robert Leprevik, MDLXIIII. (1564)

Contained the 87 metrical psalms (by Sternhold, Hopkins, Whittingham and others) which were in the Anglo-Genevan Psalter of 1561, as revised in the English edition of the same year; together with 63 others, 42 of which were taken from the English Psalter of 1562. The General Assembly of 1564, December 26th, ordained that every minister, reader and exhorter should have and use a copy. The Psalter thus authorised was reprinted several times, with melodies of the proper tunes including those (listed below) from the 1615 edition -

(b) The Forme of Prayers &c., 1615

Xrefs:
RS-129 (also 726) Dundee / French
RS-500 (also 717) Dunfermline
RS-690 Martyrs
RS-727 York
 

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Scottish Psalters, 1631-38

There was an interlude in the development of Scottish psalmody from 1631 to 1638, attributable to the influence of Archbishop Laud and others at the English Court. During this time there were published

(a) The Psalmes of King David, translated by King James, Oxford 1631

This was mainly the work of William Alexander, Earl of Stirling. It was imposed on the Scottish Church by Charles I, with a printing monopoly effectively banning all other versions; but aroused much opposition in Scotland. It was revised by Alexander in consequence, and issued bound with Laud's Prayer Book of 1637 as -

(b) The booke of Common Prayer, and Administration Of The Sacraments. And other parts of divine Service for the use of the Church of Scotland, 1637

(Archbishop Laud's Prayer Book, 1637)

Biblical passages were in the Authorised Version throughout, including the Psalms.

This move [ imposing the English prayer-book and psalter on Scottish churches ] was even less popular, and helped to precipitate the restoration of the Scottish General Assembly at Glasgow, 1638.

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Scottish Psalter, 1635 

In 1635 an edition of the Scottish Psalter with the tunes harmonised in four parts was published by Andrew Hart, as: The Psalmes of David, in Prose and Meeter. With their whole Tunes in foure or mo parts, and some Psalmes in Reports. Whereunto is added many godly Prayers, and an exact Kalendar for XXV yeers to come. Printed at Edinburgh by the Heires of Andrew Hart, Anno Dom.1635

The music editor was Edward Millar of Edinburgh.

Xref:
RS-551 (also 508) Caithness
 

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Scottish Psalters, 1638-49

For a short period in England, presbyterian and parliamentary influence combined to allow the recommendation of a new Psalter for use in both England and Scotland. Initiated by the Westminster Assembly of 1643, it led to William Barton's The Book of Psalms in Metre (1644, 1646 and 1654), which was favoured by the House of Lords; and The Psalmes of David in English Meeter set forth by Francis Rous (1641/43), preferred by the House of Commons. The Westminster Assembly chose the latter, which was published with revisions in 1646. However, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland was not satisfied with this; and a fresh Psalter was produced by a group of Scottish revisers, incorporating the work of Rous and other versions including the Psalter of 1564-5 . This led to the authorisation - in the year following the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth - of the 1650 version, which remained the official version for the next 280 years.

 

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Scottish Psalter, 1650

The Psalms of David in Meeter. Newly translated and diligently compared with the Original Text and former Translations; More plain, smooth, and agreeable to the Text than any heretofore. Allowed by the Authority of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, and appointed to be sung in Congregations and Families. Edinburgh 1650

Known henceforth as The Scottish Psalter, 1650, this remained the only authorised version of the Psalms in Scottish Presbyterian churches until the revision of 1929.

The first collection of tunes to accompany the psalms was published in Aberdeen in 1666, and contained only 12 tunes, all in Common Metre.

Xrefs:
RS-712 All people that on earth do dwell

and the Metrical Psalms from the 1929 Scottish Psalter listed separately.

 

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Scottish Psalter, 1929 

Authorised in 1928 by the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland, and following the publication in the previous year of the Revised Church Hymnary 1927. The two books are bound together in some editions.

The main revisions in the Psalter were to the music; but the opportunity was taken to remove some archaisms and infelicities in the words, and also to incorporate some of the revisions of words made in the Irish Metrical Psalter of 1880.

Metrical Psalms from the Scottish Psalter in Rejoice & Sing are taken from the 1929 edition (sometimes with RS alterations), although their printed attribution in RS is to the 1650 Psalter. Originals of the 1650 and earlier Psalters have not yet been checked, and the RS attributions may not all be accurate.

For RS items from the Scottish Psalter, see notes on

Xrefs:
Rejoice & Sing includes (in part or whole, and with or without alterations) the following metrical psalms from the Scottish Psalter:

RS-25

Doxology

To Father, Son and Spirit blest

RS-679

Ps.23

The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want

RS-681

Ps.24

Ye gates, lift up your heads on high

RS-687

Ps.36

Thy mercy, Lord, is in the heavens

RS-688

Ps.40

I waited for the Lord my God

RS-690

Ps.43

O send thy light forth and thy truth

RS-691

Ps.46

God is our refuge and our strength

RS-703

Ps.84

How lovely is thy dwelling-place

RS-715

Ps.103

O thou my soul, bless God the Lord

RS-717

Ps.106

Give praise and thanks unto the Lord

RS-722

Ps.116

I'll of salvation take the cup

RS-726

Ps.121

I to the hills will lift mine eyes

RS-727

Pss.122 & 133

I joy'd when to the house of God

RS-732

Ps.145

O Lord, thou art my God and King

 

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(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 12/7/01)