Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1919

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 21Ethical:What moralist has ever expressed himself more tersely orhewed more closely to the line than has the composer of the 15th,112th, or 119th Psalm ?Doctrinal:What portion of Scripture has been used more frequentlythan the Psalms as the doctrinal basis of the New Testament?That portion of the New Testament, the Hebrews, whichshows the comparative value of the New Dispensation, makesfrequent use of the Psalms as a basis of argument.They testify to the plenary inspiration of the Bible. Thewriter of the Hebrews (Chap. 7), using a Psalm (110), arguesfrom the silences of Scripture. Thus showing that the Word ofGod has a design both in the words used and in those omftted.They are used to prove:The Deity of Christ (Ps. 2:7, Heb. 1:5, 6).The perpetual priesthood of Christ (Ps. 110:4, Heb. 7:17).The infinite value of the sacrifice of Christ (Ps. 40:6, 8jHeb. 10:6,).The kingship of Christ (Ps. 110, Heb. 1:9, 13).The eternity of the reign of Christ (Ps. 45:6, 7, Heb. 1:8).The universality of the reign of Christ (Ps. 110:1, Heb. 1:8)The omnipotent power of Christ (Ps. 8:6, Heb. 2:8).They are used as the basis:For the perpetuation of the Sabbath in the New Testamentdispensation (Ps. 95:7, 8, Heb. 4:9 R. V.).Of the argument in the New Testament for the continuedobligation of the tithe (Ps. 110, Heb. 7:8).For the universal application of stewardship (Ps. 24:1).They give us among the strongest encouragements in prayer(Ps. 5, 142 & 143).Such potent reasons as these, together with the direcjt commandof God to sing his praise with the use of the Psalms (Col.3:16) leads us to assert without hesitation, that the Psalms furnisha sufficient substance, and unquestionably the best materialwith which to praise God in the Church of Christ throughoutthe world.Therefore we recommend:1. That our Church continue her efforts to set before thewhole Church of Christ the excellence of the . matter and theScriptural obligation of the use of the Psalms in praise; i2. That since careful study of the 1911 version has enhancedour estimation of its value and has proved it to be the mostaccurate version yet produced: and since we believe that themind of the Spirit as revealed in the Psalms is more accuratelyexpressed by it than by any metrical version available; wecommend it to any of our people who have not yet made use ofit.3. The continued practice of singing the Psalms in familyin worship, ren singing enjoy both in praise, the because singing. and of because the duty of the resting training upon which families the to child­join