Scottish Metrical Psalms sung a cappella
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland is a Psalm singing church, which practices exclusive psalmody based on the Regulative Principle of Worship. Accordingly, the Book of Psalms in the Bible is regarded as the only legitimate book of praise in the public worship of God. Therefore, the exclusive singing of biblical Psalms in public worship excludes all hymns and songs of human composition. See below for Psalm singing recordings using the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650. This psalter was reviewed by the Westminster Assembly and adopted and sanctioned by the Church of Scotland in 1649 for use in worship. This version of the Scottish Metrical Psalms is preferred to recent versions which attempt to modernise it. Moreover, the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland is an A Capella church, using no musical instruments.
Free Church in Ontario
Exclusive psalmody was practiced by the Free Church of Scotland in Ontario until the unions of 1861 and 1875. After this time, hymns and musical instruments were introduced into the Union churches. Since the early 20th Century, the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Canada has maintained the exclusive psalmody witness of the original Free Church of Scotland in Ontario.
For more information see: Musical Instruments in Worship by Rev. K. Watkins and: Why Psalms Only by Prof. R.J. George
Further, we invite you to learn more about our history and our worship. Also, you can learn more about the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland as a global denomination by visiting the website.
You will find below a sample of Scottish Metrical Psalms sung A cappella (no musical instruments) by Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland congregations.
Scottish Metrical Psalm Recordings
| Sound | Metrical Psalm | Version | Verses | Tune |
| Play | 1 | 1-2 | Neander | |
| Play | 6 | 1st | 1-5 | Saldau |
| Play | 21 | 1-2 | Moravia | |
| Play | 23 | 1-6 | Crimond | |
| Play | 31 | 19-21 | St. Lawrence | |
| Play | 42 | 1-3 | Camphill | |
| Play | 80 | 1-3 | Morven | |
| Play | 80 | 19 | Kedron (Jewish Chant) | |
| Play | 90 | 1-3 | Humility | |
| Play | 100 | 1st | 1-3 | Tallis’ Canon |
| Play | 102 | 2nd | 13-22 | Duke Street |
| Play | 102 | 2nd | 23-28 | Rockingham |
| Play | 106 | 4-7 | Belmont | |
| Play | 107 | 10-16 | Orton | |
| Play | 107 | 25-30 | Gairloch | |
| Play | 110 | 1-7 | Martyrdom | |
| Play | 118 | 15-18 | Boswell | |
| Play | 118 | 15-18 | Naomi | |
| Play | 139 | 3-10 | St. Andrews | |
| Play | 145 | 1st | 6-9 | Gainsborough |
| Play | 145 | 2nd | 1-3 | Doversdale |
| Play | 145 | 2nd | 4-6 | Retreat |