1. Lucas has uncovered an English-language metrical psalter dating from 1767: The Psalms of David, with the Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord's Prayer, &c. in Metre. Also the Catechism, Confession of Faith, Liturgy, &c., Translated from the Dutch. This collection is an interesting amalgam, including a number of Genevan melodies, common-metre texts adapted from Nicholas Tate and Nahum Brady's "New Version" Psalter of 1696, and some original texts by Francis Hopkinson, including that for Psalm 23:
The LORD himself doth condescendHopkinson signed the Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey, and he would later serve as a federal judge in Pennsylvania. He also contributed to the design of the first American flag:
To be my shepherd and my friend;
I on his faithfulness rely
His care shall all my wants supply.
In pastures green he doth me lead,
And there in safety makes me feed,
Refreshing streams are ever nigh,
My thirsty soul to satisfy.
2. Freire has composed a metrical credo in Portuguese set to be sung to the Genevan tune for Psalm 91: Confesso e Creio. Bravo, Lucas! Obrigado.
3 comments:
Eu que agradeço :)
I recently discovered this psalter on hymnary.org. I was amazed to find stanza 7 of Psalm 2:
"Then blest are they, who on our GOD rely,
With constant Hope on his strong Arm depending,
Who humbly strive to serve the LORD most high,
With grateful Hearts and Fervour never ending" which I memorized as a young child. This version was published in the 1965 Book of Praise, the first Psalter of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
While searching for something else, I came across this psalter and while browsing through it, was surprised to see Genevan tunes in rhythmic notation, and I recognized these words from Psalm 2 stanza 7:
"Then blest are they, who on our GOD rely,
With constant Hope on his strong Arm depending,
Who humbly strive to serve the LORD most high,
With grateful Hearts and Fervour never ending" which I had memorized as a student in John Calvin School in Burlington back in the late 60's, early 70's when we used the first "Provisional" Book of Praise published in 1965 which used the 1767 settings of Psalm 2, 34, 49, 66, and 117.
Richard Buist
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