This was a carefully constructed programme about the evolution of the Psalter, building on earlier shows in the series, about the composition of the book – but here introducing how musical accompaniment gradually became an increasing part of the Scottish Church’s practice.
It was fascinating to hear of the interplay (and sometimes background and unspoken dialogue) with the English Church about how something could be found that would ultimately be acceptable to the Assembly. The narrative was inventively delivered, with participants taking on the different voices of those historically involved, in the complex and various discussions and deliberations.
Special speaker Dr Tim Duguid gave the benchmark: that the Psalter was finally completed on 1st May 1650, having taken three years of revision, before it was finally approved by the Kirk. But there was no music in this book – so how did people know what to sing?
There had been a popular compilation of some metrical psalm settings by Sternhold & Hopkins in the C16, but these were suppressed through the Counter-Reformation. The musical interludes, reinforced by text and images displayed on the accompanying projector-screen for the audience was a helpful and notable addition – and gave us an extra interest and focus.
The style of interactive storytelling employed in this lecture really helped in ensuring that interest was maintained in what could have been seen as a mainly niche and academic interest. However, the many who came clearly appreciated it, and the interspersed anecdotes clearly resonated with those who had a particularly regional background and local interest.
One surprising thing we learned was the instinctive desire of the faithful at the time to engage in and enjoy full four-part harmony. But even through to the C18, this gradual – but growing – innovative drive nonetheless faced ongoing opposition. The challenge boiled down to a New Testament church being somewhat imprisoned by its Old Testament psalms; and so there was maybe a sense of inevitability in that the desire for hymnody would soon come banging on the door.
Esoteric in one sense, but accessible in another – a great deal of thought and care had gone into this afternoon’s well-crafted presentation: narration, choral singing, visual presentation; interactive dialogue, audience participation, with the collective singing of some psalms.
The recital finished at 4.00pm.
The Split-Leaf Psalter, Friday 15th August 2025, St Vincent’s Chapel