Resources
Starter Kit
Get started learning and singing the Psalms with the Book of Psalms for Singing starter kit! Includes the Book of Psalms for Singing, the Psalm Settings supplemental, 150 Questions about the Psalter by Bradley Johnston, 3 Psalm recording CDs, and Improving our Praise by Charles McBurney.
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Digital Edition
The Book of Psalms for Singing is available as a digital edition on Psalter.org! This free site allows you to search through the text of lyrics for key words, play audio of each selection, use a digital pitch pipe, and sort through information on composer, meter, and more. The full sheet music with lyrics, along with choir recordings, are available with a premium subscription for $9/year.
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The Book of Psalms for Singing App
Download the Book of Psalms for Singing app for Apple devices to always have your psalter in your pocket! The app offers full sheet music, a lyric-only view, search capabilities for topics and key words, and a tune and parts player. Enjoy a selection of psalms for free, or access the whole psalter for a yearly subscription of $1.99.
Familiar Tune List
Sometimes it is easier to learn a new psalm to a tune you already know. Below is a list of familiar hymn tunes found in The Book of Psalms for Singing. You may also download a print version here.
Click to show Familiar Tune List
| Psalm |
Tune Name |
Hymn |
| 1A |
Arlington |
Am I A Soldier of the Cross? |
| 3 |
New Britain |
Amazing Grace |
| 4B |
Penitence |
In the Hour of Trial |
| 5B |
Aberystwyth |
Jesus, Lover of My Soul |
| 6 |
Olive’s Brow |
’Tis Midnight, and on Olive’s Brow |
| 8B |
Amsterdam |
Rise, My Soul, and Stretch Thy Wings |
| 9A |
Sankey |
Hiding In Thee; Faith Is the Victory (delete chorus) |
| 9B |
Joanna (St. Denio) |
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise |
| 10A |
Penitentia |
Here, O My Lord, I See Thee |
| 10B |
Sursum Corda |
Lift Up Your Hearts! |
| 12A |
Belmont (Cardiner’s) |
The Spirit Breathes Upon the Word |
| 15 |
Lowry |
Savior, Thy Dying Love; Something for Jesus |
| 16B |
Foundation |
How Firm a Foundation |
| 18C |
Canonbury |
Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak; I Gave My Life for Thee
|
| 18E |
Holy Trinity |
O Trinity, Most Blessed Light |
| 18I |
Morecambe |
Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart |
| 20A, 34B |
Stockton (Minerva) |
Only Trust Him |
| 21A, 89B |
Noel |
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; A Thousand Years Have Come
and Gone
|
| 21B, 78C |
Ellacombe |
I Sing the Mighty Power of God |
| 22I |
Creation |
The Spacious Firmament on High |
| 23B |
Crimond |
The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want |
| 23C |
Resignation |
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (Watts) |
| 25C |
Welcome Voice |
I Hear Thy Welcome Voice |
| 25D |
Trentham |
Breathe on Me, Breath of God |
| 26A |
Spohr |
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say |
| 27E |
Samuel |
Hushed was the Evening Hymn |
| 29A |
Kremser |
We Gather Together |
| 30A |
Angel’s Story |
O Jesus I Have Promised; I Love to Hear the Story |
| 31A |
Pressly (Gabriel) |
How Good and Pleasant Is the Sight |
| 31E |
Lancashire |
The Day of Resurrection; Lead On, O King Eternal |
| 32C |
Vox Dilecti |
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say |
| 34C |
Yorkshire |
Christians, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn |
| 35A, 119U |
Hamburg |
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross |
| 35B |
Wareham |
Great God We Sing That Mighty Hand |
| 36A |
Manoah (Greatorex) |
Begin, My Tongue, Some Heavenly Theme |
| 37A |
St. Anne |
O God, Our Help in Ages Past |
| 37F |
St. Peter |
In Christ There is No East or West; How Sweet the Name of
Jesus Sounds
|
| 39B |
Eventide |
Abide With Me |
| 40C |
Forest Green |
O Little Town of Bethlehem (alternate tune); Thy Word Is
Like a Garden, Lord
|
| 40D |
Green Hill |
There is a Green Hill Far Away |
| 42A |
St. Agnes |
Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee; Happy the Home When God Is
There
|
| 43, 133A |
Azmon |
O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing |
| 45B |
Laban |
My Soul, Be On Thy Guard |
| 45C |
Diademata |
Crown Him with Many Crowns |
| 46A |
Materna |
America the Beautiful |
| 46B |
Hetherton |
Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned |
| 46C |
Ein’ Feste Burg |
A Mighty Fortress is Our God |
| 49A,C |
Seymour |
Depth of Mercy Can There Be; Softly Now the Light of Day
|
| 50B |
St. Thomas |
Come, We that Love the Lord; I Love Your Kingdom, Lord |
| 51E |
Ajalon |
Go to Dark Gethsemane |
| 51D |
Toplady |
Rock of Ages |
| 53 |
Boylston |
A Charge to Keep I Have |
| 54B |
Ebenezer |
O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus; Once to Every Man and Nation
|
| 56 |
Consolation |
Awake, Awake to Love and Work |
| 65A |
Webb |
Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus |
| 66A |
Miles Lane |
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name |
| 66C |
Wie Schön Leuchtet |
How Brightly Shines the Morning Star!; O Morning-star, How
Fair! How Bright!
|
| 67A |
Missionary Hymn |
From Greenland’s Icy Mountains |
| 72A |
Truro |
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates |
| 73B |
Petersburg |
How Great Our Lord |
| 76A |
Neander |
Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty |
| 78A |
Illa |
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say |
| 80B |
Bryn Calfaria (Owen) |
Hear, O Hear Us, Israel’s Shepherd |
| 84B |
Melita |
Eternal Father Strong to Save |
| 85B |
Bradbury |
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us |
| 87 |
St. Leonard |
May the Mind of Christ My Savior |
| 88B |
Ellers |
Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise |
| 89D |
St. Magnus |
The Head That Once was Crowned with Thorns |
| 90A |
Martyrdom |
Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed |
| 90B |
Beatitudo |
O for a Closer Walk with God |
| 90C |
St. Catherine |
Faith of Our Fathers, Living Still |
| 91A |
Hyfrydol |
Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus; Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!;
Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners
|
| 91B |
Woodworth |
Just as I Am, Without One Plea |
| 91D |
Germany (Gardiner) |
Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness |
| 92C |
Darwall’s 148th |
Rejoice! The Lord is King |
| 94A |
Austria |
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken |
| 95B |
Rest |
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind |
| 96A |
Coronation (Holden) |
All Hail the Power |
| 99C |
Leoni |
The God of Abram Praise |
| 100A |
Old 100th |
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology) |
| 101 |
Aurelia |
The Church’s One Foundation |
| 102B |
Park Street |
But You, Jehovah, Shall Endure |
| 103A |
Beecher |
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling |
| 103D |
Sicilian Mariners |
Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing |
| 104A |
Lyons |
O Worship the King; Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
|
| 107D |
Fountain |
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood |
| 108C |
Haydn |
Come, My Soul, Thou Must Be Waking |
| 110 |
All Saints |
New The Son of God Goes Forth to War |
| 113A |
Hendon |
Take My Life and Let It Be |
| 115C |
Lux Prima |
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies |
| 118A |
Hudson |
At the Cross |
| 119C |
St. Stephen |
The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns |
| 119I |
Maitland |
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone? |
| 119K |
Morning Star |
Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning |
| 119Q |
Nettleton |
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing; Hush, My Dear, Lie Still
and Slumber
|
| 119R |
Retreat |
From Every Stormy Wind That Blows |
| 119T |
Davis |
O Thou in Whose Presence My Soul Takes Delight |
| 119W |
Federal Street |
Am I a Soldier of the Cross |
| 122B |
Cwm Rhondda |
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah |
| 124B |
Old 124th (Scottish) |
Now Israel May Say and That in Truth |
| 128B |
Ulster |
All the Way My Savior Leads Me |
| 136A |
Shining Shore |
My Days are Gliding Swiftly By |
| 136B |
Constance |
I’ve Found a Friend—O Such a Friend |
| 138A |
Hursley |
Sun of My Soul, Thou Savior Dear |
| 139B |
Maryton |
O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee |
| 143B |
I Need Thee |
I Need Thee Every Hour |
| 143C |
St. Elizabeth |
Fairest Lord Jesus; Beautiful Savior |
| 144C |
Pisgah |
When I Can Read My Title Clear; Blessed be the Lord, My Rock
|
| 145A |
Duke Street |
Jesus Shall Reign Wheree’er the Sun |
| 146A |
Converse |
What a Friend We Have in Jesus |
| 149 |
Bethlehem |
How Vast the Benefits Divine; All Nature’s Works His Praise
Declare
|
FAQs
How does this psalter differ from others featured on this site?
The Book of Psalms for Singing, first released in 1973, includes some older language (like “Thee” and “Jehovah”) as well as some more modern translations. It also offers several chants. The music is predominantly familiar hymn tunes but also offers some unique arrangements and compositions.
The Book of Psalms for Singing served as the official psalter used in worship in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America from its publication in 1973 to the release of The Book of Psalms for Worship. However, many Reformed Presbyterians still enjoy singing from this psalter to this day.
Both psalters strive to remain as close as possible to the original Hebrew, in which the psalms were written. Both contain many common hymn tunes, are written for four-part congregational singing, and have approximately the same number of selections.
However, The Book of Psalms for Singing contains some chants and uses older language (like "Thee" and "Jehovah") in some selections. The Book of Psalms for Worship does not include chants and uses modernized language (except in historic selections such as Psalms 23B, 24B, and 100A). It also contains some new compositions and international tunes. Approximately 1/4th of the tunes differ from The Book of Psalms for Singing. Below is a comparison between the phrasing in the two psalters.
|
The Book of Psalms for Singing |
The Book of Psalms for Worship |
| Psalm 5:7 |
To Thy house will I repair |
To Your house will I draw near |
| Psalm 18:14 |
The deadly arrows He sent forth
Dispersed His foes in wild retreat.
The flaming lightnings He shot out
Made their discomfiture complete.
|
He shot His arrows at His foes,
And made them scatter in retreat.
He made abundant lightning flash,
And sent them fleeing in defeat.
|
| Psalm 36:1-2 |
Transgression to the wicked speaks;
Deep in the heart it lies.
There surely is no fear of God
At all before his eyes,
Because himself he flatters so
In his own blinded eyes,
That he in his iniquity
Sees nothing to despise.
|
About the sin of wicked men,
My heart within me cries:
There surely is no fear of God
At all before his eyes.
With flattery he views himself
As good in his own eyes;
His sin he's certain no one will
Discover and despise.
|
| Psalm 39:6 |
Each man doth surely walk in empty show;
They heap up wealth and vex themselves for naught,
Nor know to whom their garnered riches go.
|
Man, like a shadow, wanders to and fro.
Surely an uproar he creates in vain,
He never knows to whom his riches go.
|
| Psalm 133:1 |
Behold how good a thing it is,
And how becoming well,
When those that brethren are delight
In unity to dwell.
|
Behold how very good it is,
A pleasant thing to see;
When brothers join to live as one
In peace and unity.
|
What is a chant?
The Book of Psalms for Singing includes several special selections called chants (Psalms 19C/D/E, 47B, 84C, 93B, and 127B).
Chanting is the singing of a prose text to a simple, repeated melody. Good chanting is essentially good reading aloud; it uses the rhythms and stresses of natural speech.
The ancient Hebrews never used metrical “tunes” in the modern sense. In the synagogue, the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (including the Psalms), were read in a sing-song recitation which was half speech, half song. Originally chanting involved only a single line (that is, no part-singing), and only two or three pitches. The early Christian church retained this practice, adapting it to the recitation of the Psalms in Latin translation. The system of chanting present in The Book of Psalms for Singing is called Anglican Chant, and dates from 16th-Century England.
Chanting has several advantages over metrical Psalmody, stemming from the fact that in chanting, the music completely serves the text. The music is not difficult or interesting in itself, but has character and meaning only in conjunction with the words. The meaning of the text is thus more immediate, and the parallel structure of the Hebrew poetry is more apparent. The difficulties of translating ancient non-metrical poems into sensible English rhyme are rendered unnecessary. Chanting encourages the use of entire Psalms rather than selections.
An introduction to performing chants may be found on page 440 of The Book of Psalms for Singing.
