Everypsalm Psalter: a review

Here is a brief review of Jesse and Leah Roberts' Everypsalm Psalter, based on the complete digital version of the Psalter found here. I am assuming that the bound volume is identical to the pdf copy available for download. There are 250 pages in total covering all 150 Psalms, along with three indices: Psalms by Category, Psalms by Author, and Psalms by Theme/feel. Among the authors listed are included David, Asaph, Korah, Solomon, Moses, Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman the Ezrahite. The third index includes Psalms for Courage, Justice, Suffering, Gathered Worship, Rest, Dancing, and the Messiah.

Prospective users of this collection should be aware that it is not a stand-alone volume and must be used in conjunction with the Poor Bishop Hooper YouTube channel, where recordings of the psalms can be found. Those ordering the volume without knowledge of the YouTube channel will likely be confused by what they encounter in its pages. The lyrics are indeed present, along with appropriate guitar chords, but, surprisingly, there is no music, except for brief excerpts at the bottom of some, but not all, of the entries.

The songs differ with respect to their closeness to the prose texts of the Psalms. Some are fairly close, while others are very loose paraphrases inspired by the original texts. Some of the Psalms, for example, 139, omit the imprecations, although Psalm 109 takes us unrelentingly through the curses expressed by the psalmist. Psalm 137 ends with these chilling words: "Blessed is the one who takes your children, dashes them against the rock," and a tune that does not resolve to the tonic. Psalm 88, the darkest of the psalms, remains dark in the Robertses' version, and the music expresses a similar mood, with an insistent refrain capable of haunting our dreams: "Darkness is my only friend." Not every Psalm is complete, but Psalm 119 includes all 22 Hebrew letters, with a separate tune for each. While I've not listened to every one of these psalms, of the ones I have heard, I especially love Psalm 136, with its familiar antiphon ("His steadfast love endures") and its evocative tune set in the phrygian dominant mode.

Are these psalms appropriate for liturgical use? That will depend on the congregation. If they have received the proper training beforehand, they may be able to master at least some of these. Reviving the office of precentor would aid in their learning and singing them. Because these songs are not as accessible to ordinary congregations as the traditional metrical psalms found in the Genevan and Scottish Psalters, they probably could not make up the major part of a worship service. But they would definitely be appropriately sung by a small vocal and instrumental group (perhaps a west gallery quire?) during the offertory or distribution of the elements of the Lord's Supper.

Congratulations to Jesse and Leah Roberts for producing this significant contribution to the liturgical life of our churches! May God continue to bless their ministry.