Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
[2] The use of the Psalter. (Williamson)
It cannot be argued that the exclusive use of the Psalms, in worship, was ever entirely universal in the Reformed Churches. Some, including Calvin's church in Geneva, sang at least a few other songs (such as a version of the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer). But even so, the centrality of the inspired psalms in Reformed worship was such that they received the overwhelming emphasis. And to this day, in some churches of the Reformed family, it is still the inspired Psalter which is sung exclusively, on the ground that these alone are commanded.
This is a subject that I began to study many years ago, and from my research two things have greatly impressed me. First, I have never seen any exegetical proof that God wants us to produce our own hymns in order to sing them in worship instead of the inspired psalms He has provided. As a matter of fact the arguments that I have seen, defending the prevailing practice today, always seem to me to stand on a Lutheran foundation. Instead of attempting to prove that present practice is commanded by God, there is usually a subtle shift to the argument that 'it is not forbidden.' But I believe this utterly fails to meet the criterion set down in the Scripture. In the second place it is simply an historical fact that the great change, in substituting uninspired hymns for the inspired psalms, was not the result of new discoveries in the content of Scripture. It was not a reluctant change compelled by careful exegesis. At least this is true in the several instances of this innovation in the history of the Reformed Churches known to the writer. No, the change came, rather, by way of giving in to increasing popular demand -- it was a change made to please the people. I once had opportunity to discuss this subject with an elderly minister of the old United Presbyterian denomination. I asked him what brought that church to change its stand on the exclusive use of psalms in worship, as it did in the 1925 creedal revision. His answer was both interesting and revealing. He said the church had already started, some years before, to celebrate such days as Christmas. After these had become well-entrenched, he said, the pressure began to grow to bring in 'appropriate' music.
Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
1Co 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
39. Psalm 61 
Congregational Psalter: Collection 1
God's people have been singing the Psalms, individually and corporately, for over 3,000 years. Until the mid-1800s, the Book of Psalms, in various forms, was the Christian's primary hymnal. Since that time Psalm-singing has fallen into disfavor in the western churches. In the last decade God has granted to His people a slight increase in the desire to sing Psalms. Our congregation is one of those congregations that has a renewed zeal to sing God's praise using His own inspired words. To that end, we commissioned the compilation of a Psalter that would be both musically interesting and accessible to the average congregation.
What follows is a list of the psalms in that Congregational Psalter, which we are gradually learning and incorporating into our meetings. Michael E. Owens, founder of The Genevan Psalter Resource Center, our friend and brother who compiled this Psalter for us, also sang 3-4 verses of each psalm in the collection to assist our learning. These recordings are listed here to make them easier for the congregation to access. If you click on the appropriate button, your default player should begin playing, but you may also feel free to download them by back-clicking, and "saving as" your desired location.
Michael Owens is also in the process of compiling the Congregational Psalter: Collection 2, and we are listing them on our site as they are completed. To access them, click here.
Note the words and even verse order in the common Psalters don't necessarily follow the KJV and are actually often based on the old Geneva Bible translation, but the meanings are captured.
Psalm 61
King James Version (KJV)
61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6 Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
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