Psalms of David
The Production of the Scottish Psalter of 1650
The Beginning of the Process in England
Despite its customary name, the origins of the Scottish Psalter are in England where, on1st June 1642, the Long Parliament passed a bill calling for 'an Assembly of Divines' ortheologians. Initially, the purpose of this Assembly was simply to revise the Articles of the Church of England. As a result, however, of the 'Solemn League and Covenant' of1643 between England and Scotland (brought on by the English need of help in thecivil war), the remit of the Assembly was greatly enlarged to seek fulfilment of the Covenant's commitment to "uniformity in religion, confession of faith, form of church government, directory for worship and catechising…" in the three kingdoms ofEngland, Scotland and Ireland. The result was the production of the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Form of Presbyterial Church-Government and the Directory for the Publick Worship of God. In addition toall this, they also went to great lengths to produce a metrical Psalter that was to be partof the uniformity they sought. In so doing, they wanted to produce a Psalter that wasnot only more accurate and more smoothly running than those in existence, but alsosimpler in metre so as to be more easily used by all.
Why Psalm Singing?
'Feuch air fear coimhead Israil Cadal chan aom no suain.'
(The Shepherd that keeps Israel, He slumbers not nor sleeps.)
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