Free Church Praises

To those who consider the Free Church of Scotland has a somewhat quaint and archaic organisation with an equally quaint and archaic form of praise, it will come as something of a surprise that the Church suddenly finds itself at the cutting edge of worship!   A cappella singing is back in vogue and there is a renewed interest in many in the songs of the Bible.  

The Free Church has experienced this in a couple of ways.  Firstly the new edition of the psalms in modern English, Sing Psalms, has sold exceptionally well – not only in the Free Church but throughout Scotland and even the world.  One minister from the USA wrote the Church declaring -  “May I simply say that this is the finest Psalter in elegant, modern English that I believe exists today” . 

Secondly there has been an upsurge of interest in the unique style of Gaelic Psalm singing.  A choir from Lewis has sung in such exotic locations as Glasgow and Liverpool Cathedrals, Paris, Alabama and the University of Yale.  They have also been featured on three television documentaries, as a result of  Yale University Prof Willie Ruff’s contention that Black Gospel music has its origins in Gaelic Psalm singing.

The Church is also seeking to improve the quality of its praise and has produced a double CD as a teaching aid to help precentors and others learn new tunes.   And the Church hopes to hold a large Festival of Praise in St Peter’s Free Church, Dundee, where people from all over Scotland will join choirs from Scotland and the USA.  A DVD/Video will be made of this event.

A spokesman for the Church said “Sometimes the Free Church is better known for what it does not do.  It makes a pleasant change to focus on what we do do and to seek to do it well.  The Psalms belong to the whole Church throughout the world and we are delighted to play our own small part in helping Gods people rediscover the treasures of singing the songs of the Bible”