by Michiana Covenant | Jan 15, 2014 | Psalmody, Psalms, Psalter Hymnal
Psalm 6
This is the second place where I differ from the proposed Psalter. The OPC/URC proposal uses Olive’s Brow (from the BPS/BPW). While Olive’s Brow is a beautiful tune, it does not seem to me to be superior to the Genevan tune that has been used in the 1961 Trinity Hymnal and both Psalter Hymnals (1959 and 1987).
Text: 776 D (MCPC, 2010)
1 No longer, LORD, despise me, nor in your wrath chastise me. 2 Be gracious to me, LORD.
How long, LORD, must I languish? O heal me in my anguish; 3 my soul is troubled sore.
4 Turn back, O LORD, in favor and in your love deliver, save me in faithfulness.
5 How can the dead adore you, or bring their thanks before you; in Sheol who gives praise?
6 I am worn out with moaning; all night I weep with groaning, I flood my bed with tears.
7 My foes are all around me; my enemies surround me; my eyes are growing weak.
8 All who work evil, leave me; the LORD has heard my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my plea.
10 My foes shall all be shaken, turned back, by shame o’ertaken; ashamed they all shall be.
Tune: O Esca Viatorum (Genvan 6) (Louis Bourgeois, 1549)
Commentary
Psalm 6 is titled, “To the Choirmaster: with Stringed Instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.”
Structure:
Our four stanzas take their shape from the ESV layout of Psalm 6. The text bears some resemblance to the text found in the old Trinity Hymnal with “Pleading” (Pleading is simply another name for Genevan 6).
The OPC/URC proposal uses a LM text from Sing Psalms that divides the Psalm into five stanzas (two biblical verses per stanza). It is a very good translation — so I have no objection to the inclusion of the LM text with Olive Brow — but I would be disappointed to see the Genevan tune disappear from our repertoire.
Translation Notes:
Psalm 6 asks a hard question: “For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?” (v5)
Both the Sing Psalms translation and the MCPC translation do well with this.
Tune Notes:
The Genevan tune for Psalm 6 — sometimes called “Pleading” or “O Esca Viatorum” — fits beautifully with this lament. The internal rhymes of the AAB CCB poetic structure are mirrored in the musical lines as well. While the Genevan tunes can be challenging to learn, many of them are well worth the effort.
The Genevan tune has been used with Psalm 6 in the 1961 Trinity Hymnal, the 1959 and 1987 Psalter Hymnals, the RCNZ’s Sing to the Lord, as well as the Canadian Reformed Book of Praise.
Conclusion
I freely grant that the OPC/URC proposal is a good option. The Sing Psalms text is a good text, and Olive’s Brow is a good tune. I simply would argue that the Genevan tune is superior in conveying and supporting the text of this lament.
I have not yet preached on Psalm 6.
— Peter J. Wallace
by Michiana Covenant | Jan 15, 2014 | Psalmody, Psalms, Psalter Hymnal
Is the Psalter an Obsolete Songbook? Why Sing All 150 Psalms AND the Best of the Best of All Ages?
Introduction
By Peter J. Wallace
“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:13). If the Mosaic covenant is obsolete and vanishing, then why should we sing the Psalms? Aren’t the Psalms the songbook of an obsolete covenant?
It is true that the Psalms are the songbook of an obsolete covenant – in the same sense that the Ten Commandments are the Law of an obsolete covenant – and the whole Old Testament is itself an obsolete covenant! And yet, Paul writes that “all scripture [the whole obsolete testament] is God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of god may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).
I would suggest that the Westminster Confession’s threefold division of the law provides us with a helpful way to think about the Psalms as well:
1) even as “the moral law doth forever bind all” (20.5) so also the five books of the Psalms express the “perfect rule of righteousness” (20.2) – and, for that matter, the perfect rule of piety;
2) there are many ceremonial references in the Psalms, “prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits” (20.3), such as references to ceremonial cleansing in Psalm 51, or offerings and sacrifices in numerous Psalms;
3) and there are many judicial statements in the Psalms, “not obliging any other now, further than the general equity thereof may require” (20.4) – such as the particular statements regarding Edom, Babylon, Philistia, or Doeg the Edomite.[1]
In the same way that we should study the whole Law in order to 1) learn what duty God requires of us, 2) learn Christ from the ceremonies, and 3) learn equity from the judicials, even so we should sing the whole Psalter in order to 1) learn what piety God requires of us, 2) learn Christ from the types and symbols, and 3) learn equity from the way that the Psalms speak of rulers and nations.
In the Trinity Hymnals of 1961 and 1990, the OPC and PCA followed a principle of “selective psalmody,” which used partial Psalms, or highly paraphrased Psalms in order to give David a “new covenant” flavor. In so doing, the Trinity Hymnals omitted most of the “darker” themes of the Psalms – themes of judgment, death, and cursing. But according to the New Testament, the way the Psalms talk about judgment, death, and cursing are not obsolete! As we will see, Jesus and the apostles speak in very similar ways – sometimes even quoting the worst parts of the Psalms!
My basic argument is that the church should sing all 150 Psalms – as well as the best of the best hymns of all ages (and by “hymn” I mean other songs, not found in the Psalter). Further, I argue that historically, Psalmody is always at the foundation of good hymnody. When all 150 Psalms are sung and prized, there you will find the best hymns. When psalmody deteriorates, hymnody also follows. The following posts will give a brief précis of my argument.
[A condensed version of this essay will appear in the March edition of
New Horizons]
by Michiana Covenant | Dec 31, 2013 | Psalmody, Psalms, Psalter Hymnal
Psalm 5
Text: 77 77 D (The Psalter, 1912; adapted by Rowland Ward, 1991; alt. MCPC, 2012)
1 Hear my words, O LORD my God; to my groans attentive be.
2 Hear my cry, my King, my God, for to you alone I pray.
3 When the morning comes, O LORD, you shall hear my pleading cry;
when the dawn comes, I will watch, and direct my prayers on high.
4 Truly, you are not a God who in evil takes delight;
evil shall not dwell with you, 5 nor the proud stand in your sight.
Evildoers you do hate; 6 you destroy all those who lie;
for the LORD abhors and hates those who murder and deceive.
7 But in your abundant grace to your house I will draw near;
looking to your holy place, in your fear I’ll worship there.
8 Guide me safely, O my LORD, in your perfect righteousness;
since my enemies are near, make straight paths before my face.
9 Not one word they say is true; from their heart destruction comes;
like an open grave their throat; and they flatter with their tongues
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; by their counsels let them fall;
cast them out for all their sins, for against you they rebel.
11 But let all who flee to you find their refuge and rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy; spread protection over them.
Those who truly love your name will exult in you always.
12 For you bless the righteous, LORD, and you shield him with your grace.
Tune: Aberystwyth (Joseph Parry, 1876)
Commentary
Psalm 5 is titled, “To the Choirmaster: for the Flutes. A Psalm of David.” Note on authorship: the reference to the “holy temple” may suggest that this Psalm was written in the days of Solomon or later. The phrase “A Psalm of David” does not require that David himself actually wrote it. It is not likely that David would refer to the tabernacle as a temple, or speak of entering God’s “house” (v7). David was most painfully aware that God did not have a house, and only God’s intervention prevented him from building a temple (2 Samuel 7).
So why do these Psalms have the title, “A Psalm of David”? I would argue that the Davidic titles of the Psalms (especially here in books 1-2) are reminders for us to sing these Psalms with a Davidic focus — which means a Messianic focus. As these Psalms were sung in the temple, and as they were drawn together into the Psalter, they would have been constant reminders of how David was central to Israel’s future (think of how God told Ezekiel that he would “set up over them one shepherd, my servant David” (Ezekiel 34:23). The idea that you have to choose between a “David-centered” or a “Christ-centered” interpretation of the Psalms is wrong headed, because David is the Christ.
Structure:
Our five stanzas take their shape from the ESV layout of Psalm 5 in five stanzas. We considered the Sing Psalms text — but that required ten stanzas, which broke the Psalm up awkwardly. And since Aberystwyth has been used so much in our churches, we thought it prudent to work of off the text
Translation Notes:
The 1912 Psalter text (which is set to Aberystwyth in the Trinity Hymnal #51) needed considerable work, which Rowland Ward began in his 1991 Complete Book of Psalms for Singing. The whole Psalms was largely retranslated to bring it into conformity with our desire to eliminate the use of “Jehovah” and other archaic language, as well as to restore the language of “groaning” in verse 1. One comparison may be especially helpful:
Verse 10 (ESV) — “Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.”
(1912 Psalter in TH) — “Bring, O God, their plans to naught, hold them guilty in thy sight,
for against thee and thy law they have set themselves to fight.
(Ward in CBPS) “Give them justice, O my God; them for all their sins expel,
in their own schemes catch their feet: you they hate, and thus rebel.
(BPW) Make them bear their guilt, O God; snare them in the things they planned!
Cast them out for all their sins: rebels who against you stand.
(MCPC) — “10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; by their counsels let them fall;
cast them out for all their sins; for against you they rebel.
Verse 10 makes four points: 1) make them bear their guilt; 2) let them fall by their own counsels; 3) cast them out for their sins; and 4) do all this because they have rebelled against you. The 1912 Psalter leaves out #3, Ward alters counsels to schemes; the BPW changes “fall” to “snare.”
Again, I don’t claim that we have succeeded in every line — but working through the Hebrew text with Bryan Estelle was tremendously helpful.
Tune Notes:
Aberystwyth is a beautiful, haunting Welsh tune. Given that the Psalmist opens with a cry for help and a reminder to God that he hates all evildoers, this Psalm needs a tune that has some darkness in it. On the other hand, at the center of the Psalm — stanza 3 (verses 7-8) — there is the robust confidence of a man who enters God’s house and bows down toward the holy temple. Aberystwyth works with this as well, by bringing in the major at the beginning of the 3rd and 4th lines.
Furthers, Aberystwyth is used with Psalm 5 in the Trinity Hymnal (#51) and the Trinity Psalter, as well as the BPS and the BPW, so we knew that we would be summarily executed if we tried to replace this…
Conclusion
My sermon on Psalm 5 can be found at: http://peterwallace.org/sermons/Ps05.htm
— Peter J. Wallace
by Michiana Covenant | Dec 31, 2013 | Psalmody, Psalms, Psalter Hymnal
Psalm 4
Text: CM (Sing Psalms; alt. 2009)
1 Respond, God of my righteousness, my comfort in distress.
Display your mercy to me now, and answer my request.
2 The glory of my name, O men, how long will you despise?
How long will you delude yourselves, still searching after lies?
3 Then know the LORD has set apart the godly as his own;
the LORD will hear me when I call and my request make known.
4 In anger do not break God’s law; consider and be still.
5 Present a righteous sacrifice and wait upon his will.
6 “O who can show us any good?” I hear so many say.
O LORD, shine on us with your light; reveal your face, I pray.
7 You filled my heart with greater joy than others may have found
as they rejoiced at harvest time, when grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep; my heart will rest secure,
for you alone, O gracious LORD, will keep me safe and sure.
Tune: Dunfermline (Scottish Psalter, 1615)
Commentary
Psalm 4 is titled, “To the Choirmaster; with Stringed Instruments. A Psalm of David.” Psalms 3-4 are connected by the language of “lying down and sleeping” in 3:5 and 4:8. Psalm 4 is often sung as an evening song because of its emphasis on beds and sleeping. There is an aspect of lament in Psalm 4 — particularly in the complaint in verse 2 against the “men” who love vain words and seek after lies — but even that darker tone is taken up into his confidence in verse 3, “the LORD has set apart the godly for himself.”
Therefore, the overall tone of the Psalm is one of quiet confidence.
Structure:
There were no structural issues that concerned us. All the metrical translations that we considered did well at this.
Translation Notes:
We were generally satisfied with the Sing Psalms text, and made only a couple of minor changes to improve inflection. The connection with the Aaronic benediction in verse 6 is important. “Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD” (ESV) should be seen in connection with verse 7’s comment on how God has given me more joy than “they have when their grain and wine abound.” The Aaronic benediction would have intersected with the worship of God’s people especially when they came to the temple, bringing their tithe for the Feast of Booths. Psalm 4 helps us remember that the joy of the Lord provides greater safety and satisfaction than all of human riches.
Tune Notes:
Dunfermline is an old Scottish Psalm tune that deserves a place in all Psalters. It fits particularly well with the tone of quiet confidence in Psalm 4. The melody moves mostly in seconds and thirds, creating gently flowing arcs in the first, third, and fourth musical lines — the only exception being in the second line, where the interval of a fourth is followed by the least movement in the melody — creating a contrast with the gentle flow of the rest of the tune, and highlighting this particular phrase. This works especially well in stanza 1 “my comfort in distress” — stanza 2 “how long will you despise?” — stanza 4 “consider and be still” — and stanza 7 “my heart will rest secure.”
Dunfermline is found in the BPS (8), BPW (8, 111), Trinity Psalter (131), Sing Psalms (9), the CBPS (35, 95), 1959 Psalter Hymnal (60), and is used with hymn 383 in the Trinity Hymnal.
Conclusion
I have not yet preached on Psalm 4.
— Peter J. Wallace
by Michiana Covenant | Dec 27, 2013 | MCPC, Office
This is the officer training class used at MCPC in 2012-2013. While we seek to improve it every time, the basic pattern has remained intact for many years. We used to have a shortened course for deacon training, but over the years we discovered that the deacons needed the same sort of training in counseling and shepherding. Further, Paul says nothing about how to train elders/bishops, but he does say that deacons should be “tested first, then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (1 Timothy 3:10). It would appear that Paul is assuming that (ordinarily) a man should serve as a deacon first, and then, if he serves well there, and has the requisite gifts and graces, he may advance to the presbyterate. Any man who says “I could be an elder, but I couldn’t handle being a deacon,” does not understand the nature of the eldership.
Officer Training Class Michiana Covenant PCA, Granger IN
Dr. Peter J. Wallace
Purpose:
The purpose of the Officer Training Class is to prepare and equip men to serve in the church as elders and deacons. We assume that a man will only embark on this course after he has already been a Christian for a while. Various parts of this training course will be “review” for some people – while other parts may be new. But the goal is to provide the tools needful for church officers (both in terms of knowledge and skills). Elders and deacons should know the scriptures and the church’s confessional standards. They should also understand the human heart and be able to apply the word of God to the situations they encounter.
Structure and Requirements:
The Officer Training Class includes two distinct courses: 1) Introduction to Reformed Theology (a study of the Westminster Confession and Catechisms), 2) Introduction to Practical Theology (a study of the work of the church and her officers).
Each week during part 1, students will turn in a written outline/summary of the week’s reading (any length is acceptable, so long as it demonstrates basic comprehension), along with any questions.
Required Reading:
Christopher Wisdom, Lectures on Servant Leadership (handout, 2010)
Reformed Theology:
Harmony of the Westminster Confession & Catechisms (Southern Pbn Press, 1997)
Robert Letham, The Westminster Assembly (P&R, 2009)
Chad Van Dixhoorn, The Westminster Confession of Faith, A Commentary (manuscript)
Richard Gaffin, By Faith, Not By Sight (Paternoster, 2007)
Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan (IVP, 2002)
Practical Theology:
Hughes Oliphant Old, Worship (John Knox, 2002)
Paul S. Jones, Singing and Making Music (P&R, 2006) chapters 1-4, 9, 18, 21-24
Timothy Z. Witmer, The Shepherd Leader (P&R, 2010)
David Powlison, Speaking Truth in Love (Punch, 2005) chapters 1-15
Timothy J. Keller, Ministries of Mercy (P&R, 1997)
Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert, When Helping Hurts (Moody, 2009)
John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad (Desiring God, 2010)
Coursepack:
D. G. Hart, Recovering Mother Kirk (Baker, 2003) chapters 1-2
Gregory Reynolds, “The Spirituality of Mission Work”
http://www.opc.org/os.html?article_id=160&issue_id=47
Gregory Reynolds, “Ambassadors of the Heavenly King”
http://www.opc.org/os.html?article_id=159&issue_id=46
Charles G. Dennison, “Evangelism and the Church”
http://www.opc.org/os.html?article_id=158&issue_id=46
T. David Gordon, “Evangelistic Responsibility”
http://www.opc.org/os.html?article_id=155&issue_id=46
James S. Gidley “Biblical Theology and the Session,” 9:3 (Jul. 2000): 50-54.
Classic pastoral care www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=1938&C=1738
Conclusion:
Gregory the Great, Book of Pastoral Rule (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2007)
I. Introduction
At the beginning of the course each nominee will take a Bible knowledge quiz to ascertain where he is in his knowledge of the scriptures.
May 20 Servant Leadership Wisdom, Parts 1-2
May 27 Servant Leadership Wisdom, Parts 3-4
II. Confessional Standards WCF LC SC
June 10 Introduction Letham 1-119
June 17 1 1-5 1-3 Letham 120-158 VD 2-17
June 24 2-3 6-14 4-8 Letham 159-197 VD 18-36
July 1 4-6 15-29 9-19 Letham 198-223 VD 37-59
July 8 7-9 30-56 20-28 Letham 224-241 VD 60-91
July 15 10-11 57-74 29-33 Letham 242-292 VD 92-108
July 22 12-13 75-78 34-36 Gaffin, 1-52 VD 109-117
July 29 14-18 79-81 Gaffin, 53-111 VD 118-153
August 5 19-20 91-152 39-84 Letham 293-318 VD 3-24
August 12 [break]
August 19 21-24 178-96 98-107 VD 24-57
August 26 25-26 153-60 85-90 Letham 319-359 VD 58-71
September 2 27-29 161-77 91-97 VD 71-97
September 9 30-33 82-90 37-38 Letham 360-367 VD 98-121
III. Church Order
September 16 1-15 (Church Members, Officers and Courts) [& MCPC bylaws]
October 7 16-26 (Vocation and Ordination)
October 14 27-46 (Rules of Discipline)
November 4 47-63 (Directory for Worship)
October – December
Read Graeme Goldsworthy’s According to Plan and write answers to specific questions, due January 1. Meet one-on-one with current elders
Nominees will be examined by the session in Bible, doctrine, and church order at the beginning of January. Those who pass the exams will enter into a period of internship.
IV. Internship
Throughout 2013, interns will serve a practicum with the elders & deacons:
1) Elder interns will be expected to attend session meetings regularly
2) Elder interns will also be expected to attend at least one deacon meeting, one MCA board meeting, and other committee meetings as needed.
3) Elder interns will also be expected to participate in visitation, and will be asked to teach the adult Sunday school class at least once.
4) Elder interns must attend presbytery at least once
1) Deacon interns will be expected to attend deacon meetings regularly
2) Deacon interns will also be expected to attend at least on session meeting.
3) Deacon interns will participate in organizing at least one diaconal project.
V. Practical Theology: the Work of the Officers
April 7 Worship Old, chs 1-4;
April 21 Worship Old, chs 5-10; Hart, ch 1, 6
May 5 Worship Study Papers
May 19 Mission Piper, 1-132
June 2 Mission Piper, 133-260
June 16 Evangelism/Mission (OS readings – 2009)
July 7 Catechesis/Education (Augustine/Shepperson)
July 21 Shepherding Witmer, 1-105
July 28 Shepherding Witmer, 106-264
August 25 Shepherding/Visitation (OS readings)
September 1 Counseling Powlison, 1-97
September 15 Counseling Powlison, 99-194
September 29 Mercy Ministry Keller, 1-66
October 13 Mercy Ministry Keller, 67-122
October 27 Mercy Ministry Keller, 123-233
November 10 Diaconal Ministry Corbett & Fikkert, 11-99
November 24 Diaconal Ministry Corbett & Fikkert, 103-220
December 8 Gregory, Book of Pastoral Rule, books 1 & 2, 9-85
January 5 Gregory, Book of Pastoral Rule, books 3-4, 87-212
Note: the elders will certify those who may stand for election at their December, 2013, meeting.
Elections, January 2014
