Ship of Fools: Buccleuch and Greyfriars, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Mystery Worshipper

Ship of Fools: Buccleuch and Greyfriars, Edinburgh, Scotland

Psalm singing, contemporary hymns, a Sunday school prize-giving, and a very warm welcome

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here

Baptist Trainfan

I love the metrical psalms, even with their convoluted wording. It's notable, when "Songs of Praise" is broadcast from Scotland, how rarely they now appear. Did you use the books with the pages divided in two, with the music above and the words below? Did they announce the tune number, and which verses were to be sung? (as in "Let us be upstanding and singing Psalm 119, verses 44 to 53, to the tune 109").

Nick Tamen

Baptist Trainfan wrote: »

Did they announce the tune number, and which verses were to be sung? (as in "Let us be upstanding and singing Psalm 119, verses 44 to 53, to the tune 109").

I doubt it, since the words appear to have been projected on a screen.

Another metrical psalm lover here. The PC(USA)’s most recent two hymnals contain quite a number of new versions of metrical psalms, as well as the traditional (and sometimes convoluted) versions.

Seoirse

Baptist Trainfan wrote: »

I love the metrical psalms, even with their convoluted wording. It's notable, when "Songs of Praise" is broadcast from Scotland, how rarely they now appear. Did you use the books with the pages divided in two, with the music above and the words below? Did they announce the tune number, and which verses were to be sung? (as in "Let us be upstanding and singing Psalm 119, verses 44 to 53, to the tune 109").

no double-leafed hymnals, sadly. if the worship leader announced the tune, i must have forgotten — i believe he did a version of ‘lining out’, singing the tune of the first line before we all joined in. at my home church in edinburgh, we have an organ and a large choir to provide cover for any out-of-tune singers like me. no such thing here…

and i couldn’t agree more that songs of praise ought to feature metrical psalms more. they’re among scotland’s greatest contributions to the worshipping life of the church and should be celebrated as such

Stercus Tauri

The report makes me think I might like their service, if not every Sunday. The idea of the metrical psalms in a contemporary environment is interesting, and I would like to be there for it. Our own church, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, published a new psalter in 1995, I think it was. I am pretty sure most people don't know it exists and would be baffled by it if they did, but if they heard those psalms in the contemporary setting of Buccleuch and Greyfriars perhaps the new light on an old song might work. Something else to try next time I am in Edinburgh. Interesting report - thank you.

Alan29

Just to point out that there are modern metrical psalms too in more modern styles. In the RC setting they are a very welcome move away from the mawkish sentimentality of much 19th century hymnody towards a strong focus on scripture.