Exclusive Psalmody Singing

Scottish Metrical Psalms sung a cappella

The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland 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. Additionally, based on the same Regulative Principe, these Psalms are sung a cappella (with no musical accompaniment). Also, the version of the Psalms used is 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.

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 by Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland congregations.

Scottish Metrical Psalm Recordings