Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 182 – SCBP (Book of Praise) Report Section One, Part 6 (Expansion Book of Praise)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Report of the Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise, Section One, Part 6 (8.2.8.1).
  • 1.2    SCBP Supplement Report re Proposed Songs (8.2.8.2).
  • 1.3    SCBP Further Note on SCBP Reports (8.2.8.3).
  • 1.4    SCBP additional letter re mandate (re: wording of Hymn 1) (8.2.8.4).
  • 1.5    Letters from the churches: Aldergrove (8.3.8.1.1, 8.3.8.1.2, 8.3.8.1.3, 8.3.8.1.4, 8.3.8.1.5), Attercliffe (8.3.8.1.6),    Barrhead (8.3.8.1.7), Burlington (Fellowship) (8.3.8.1.8), Calgary (8.3.8.1.12), Devon (8.3.8.1.15), Elm Creek (8.3.8.1.21, 8.3.8.1.22) Fergus (Maranatha) (8.3.8.1.25 8.3.8.1.26), Flamborough (Redemption) (8.3.8.1.27), Grand Rapids (8.3.8.1.28), Guelph (Emmanuel) (8.3.8.1.31), Hamilton (Cornerstone) (8.3.8.1.32), Kerwood (Grace) (8.3.8.1.34), Langley (8.3.8.1.35), Neerlandia (8.3.8.1.36), Orangeville (8.3.8.1.38), Ottawa (Jubilee) (8.3.8.1.39), Owen Sound (8.3.8.1.40), Taber (8.3.8.1.42), Toronto (Bethel) (8.3.8.1.43), Winnipeg (Grace) (8.3.8.1.44), Winnipeg (Redeemer) (8.3.8.1.45), Willoughby Heights (8.3.8.1.46).

2.   Admissibility

  • 2.1    The SCBP report Section One, Part 6, the SCBP Supplement Report re Proposed Songs, the SCBP Further Note on SCBP reports, and the SCBP additional letter re mandate were all declared admissible.
    • Grounds: This material is from a standing synodical committee and was received on time.
  • 2.2    The letters from the churches were declared admissible.
    • Grounds: The letters interact with the SCBP report to GS 2025 and were received on time.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    The Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP) was mandated by GS 2022 to:
    • 3.1.1    Continue the process of reviewing the proposed songs according to the Guidelines for the Selection of Music in the Church, as printed in Appendix 2B of the Acts of GS 2004 (GS 2022 art. 120 dec. 3.8.4);
    • 3.1.2    Provide the churches with a single file of the updated and recommended songs (GS 2022 art. 111);
    • 3.1.3    Receive for evaluation those churches’ letters to GS 2022 that engage the SCBP’s Supplement Reports 1 and 2 – Psalms and Hymns; to encourage the churches to send responses directly to the SCBP before March 1, 2024. Individual church members were asked to send their responses through their consistory or council;
    • 3.1.4    Review the suitability of individual hymns which we already have in our Book of Praise for possible change, deletion, or improvement;
    • 3.1.5    Evaluate additional input from the churches and prepare a report for the churches with recommendations no less than 6 months prior to the next general synod.
  • 3.2    The SCBP provided the churches with a single file of the updated and recommended songs. They requested feedback to the SCBP before March 1, 2024.
  • 3.3    The SCBP categorized the 43 letters submitted by the churches to GS 2022 and consolidated their observations to incorporate them into their final report to GS 2025.
  • 3.4    The SCBP developed a three-step approach to evaluate the proposed songs. They weighed various factors, such as the wording of the song, its clarity, suitability for worship, and whether the contents are already covered in other songs in the Book of Praise.
  • 3.5    The SCBP notes that the feedback from the churches was helpful. Some feedback, however, was more of an opinion than an argued position.
  • 3.6    The SCBP notes that there appears to be a shift away from alternate psalm renditions in favour of the Genevan settings.
  • 3.7    After testing, feedback and evaluation, the SCBP proposes nine alternate psalms for adoption. It is to be noted that these are not replacements of the Genevan settings, but additional or alternative renditions.
  • The list is as follows:
    • 1.    Alternate Psalm 4 – Give Ear, God of My Righteousness (text copyright)
    • 2.    Alternate Psalm 13 – How Long Will You Forget Me? (text copyright)
    • 3.    Alternate Psalm 19 – The Heavens Above Declare (text copyright)
    • 4.    Alternate Psalm 22 – Amid the Thronging Worshipers
    • 5.    Alternate Psalm 23 – The Lord’s My Shepherd
    • 6.    Alternate Psalm 41 – Blessed Is the One Who Helps the Weak and Poor (text copyright)
    • 7.    Alternate Psalm 103 – Come, My Soul, and Bless the Lord (text/melody copyright)
    • 8.    Alternate Psalm 112 – O Praise the Lord! The Man Is Blest (text/melody copyright)
    • 9.    Alternate Psalm 149 – Give Praise to the Lord (text copyright)
  • 3.8    To review the current hymn section, the SCBP reviewed a previous survey of the ministers (conducted prior to GS 2022). The SCBP concluded from this that no change was necessary to the hymn section in the Book of Praise.
  • 3.9    Regarding the proposed hymns, the SCBP proposes for adoption:
    • 1.    Abide with Me
    • 2.    All Creatures of Our God and King
    • 3.    Amazing Grace!
    • 4.    Christians, Awake
    • 5.    Come, Thou Almighty King
    • 6.    Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
    • 7.    Crown Him with Many Crowns
    • 8.    Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer
    • 9.    Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
    • 10.  How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (text & melody copyright)
    • 11.  How Great Thou Art (text & melody copyright)
    • 12.  In Christ Alone (text & melody copyright)
    • 13.  Let All Things Now Living (melody copyright)
    • 14.  May the Mind of Christ, My Saviour
    • 15.  My Lord, I Did Not Choose You
    • 16.  O Christ, Our Hope, Our Heart’s Desire
    • 17.  O Come, All Ye Faithful
    • 18. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
    • 19. Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
    • 20. Speak, O Lord (text & melody copyright)
    • 21. Take My Life, and Let It Be
    • 22. When I Survey the Wonderous Cross
    • 23. Your Law, O God, Is Our Delight (text copyright)
  • 3.10  The SCBP also recommended a subset of 15 of these hymns if the hymn cap remained in place.
  • 3.11  Observations from the letters of the churches:
    • 3.11.1  Aldergrove requests that a greater number of alternate psalm tunes (more than the 9 proposed) and additional hymns (not limited to 100) be available.
    • 3.11.2  Aldergrove also summarized the responses from the churches in an effort to identify the levels of support for each alternate psalm and additional hymn.
    • 3.11.3  Some churches showed their support for the hymn cap while others registered their dissatisfaction.
    • 3.11.4  Some churches feel that the time of changing the Book of Praise should “come to a halt” (Barrhead, Fergus (Maranatha), Neerlandia, Taber). They also urge GS 2025 to refrain from adding alternate versions of the psalms (or place them in their own section) as it undermines the unity of this collection (Taber, Calgary). Elm Creek and Fergus (Maranatha) prefer that no change be made to the existing hymn section of the Book of Praise, and Neerlandia maintains that many of the proposed songs have ambiguous phrasing, archaic language, or “tunes that do not align well with the Reformed tradition.” Elm Creek questions the need for the alternate psalm renditions. Fergus (Maranatha) supports only the addition of proposed Alternate Psalms 4, 13, 23, and 41.
    • 3.11.5  Burlington (Fellowship) believes the evaluation of songs and feedback from the churches is subjective. They maintain that such considerations as whether the topic of a hymn is already sufficiently covered or whether a church has an organ should not be decisive in rejecting a song for inclusion in the Book of Praise.
    • 3.11.6  Flamborough (Redemption) expresses its frustration with the current process to approve and adopt new songs for worship. They make clear their disappointment in the rejection of many alternate psalms and additional hymns that they have grown to love. Ottawa (Jubilee) and Winnipeg (Redeemer) express a similar thought.
    • 3.11.7  Flamborough (Redemption) identifies historical bias in the final selection, disagrees with the rejection of hymns and alternate psalms with strong church support, and points out the low participation in the feedback process. They also question the preference for whole psalms over partial psalms and whether hymns are “individualistic.” They disagree with the principle of rejecting hymns because their substance is already found in the Book of Praise.
    • 3.11.8  Flamborough (Redemption) and Langley have concerns with the criterion that additional hymns should “fill a gap.” Winnipeg (Grace) notes that the idea that additional hymns should “fill a gap” directly contradicts the mandate the SCBP received from GS 2022 to propose the deletion of hymns. Many churches note that the SCBP did not appear to review existing hymns used in worship.
    • 3.11.9  Grand Rapids notes that a church songbook can never be an exhaustive compendium of every song suitable for worship. They believe the SCBP should have insisted that the churches first have a discussion about their expectations for a songbook. They point out that there are inconsistencies with the use of archaic language. They are surprised that four-part harmony is being recommended when the Reformed churches, from their inception, have stressed the importance of singing in unison. On the other hand, Winnipeg (Grace) believes that if a hymn is meant to be sung in harmony, that is no reason to exclude it, and if approved, it should be published with the harmony included.
    • 3.11.10 Guelph (Emmanuel) notes that it is best that the proposed change to Hymn 58, which involves a new melody, be included in the proposed augment.
    • 3.11.11 Langley notes its renewed appreciation for the Genevan settings.
    • 3.11.12 The Neerlandia CanRC asserts that, as the Supplemental Report notes in places, many of the proposed hymns do not add significant theological depth beyond what is already available in our hymn section.
  • 3.12  The letters from the churches recommended approving the following specific alternate psalms and additional hymns in addition to those recommended by the SCBP:
    • 3.12.1       Alternate Psalm 11
    • 3.12.2       Alternate Psalm 32
    • 3.12.3       Alternate Psalm 39
    • 3.12.4       Alternate Psalm 51
    • 3.12.5       Alternate Psalm 59
    • 3.12.6       Alternate Psalm 84
    • 3.12.7       Alternate Psalm 90
    • 3.12.8       Alternate Psalm 95
    • 3.12.9       Alternate Psalm 100
    • 3.12.10     Alternate Psalm 104
    • 3.12.11     Alternate Psalm 150
    • 3.12.12     Angels, from the Realms of Glory
    • 3.12.13     Before the Throne of God Above
    • 3.12.14     Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
    • 3.12.15     Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come
    • 3.12.16     Man of Sorrows! What a Name
    • 3.12.17     Threefold Amen
    • 3.12.18     When Peace Like a River
    • 3.12.19     Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
  • 3.13 The letters from the churches expressed concerns about including the following specific alternate psalms and additional hymns, even though recommended by the SCBP:
    • 3.13.1    Alternate Psalm 4
    • 3.13.2    Alternate Psalm 13
    • 3.13.3    Alternate Psalm 22
    • 3.13.4    All Creatures of Our God and King
    • 3.13.5    Christians, Awake
    • 3.13.6    Come, Thou Almighty King
    • 3.13.7    Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer
    • 3.13.8    Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
    • 3.13.9    O Come, All Ye Faithful
    • 3.13.10  O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
    • 3.13.11  Take My Life, and Let It Be
    • 3.13.12  How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
  • 3.14  The letters from the churches recommended changes to the lyrics of the following recommended alternate psalms:
    • 3.14.1  Alternate Psalm 23
    • 3.14.2  Alternate Psalm 112
    • 3.14.3  Alternate Psalm 149
  • 3.15  Willoughby Heights requests that GS 2025 make a clear statement on the status of the principles and guidelines. They also question the value of some of these guidelines. Winnipeg (Grace) also questions these guidelines, their origin and character, and points out that these guidelines appear to be followed inconsistently.
  • 3.16  Winnipeg (Grace) proposes that all the alternate psalms and additional hymns that receive support from a majority of the churches be included in an augment and that, should synod approve an overture on CO art. 55, the churches be solicited for additional psalms and hymns.
  • 3.17  The SCBP was also given a letter received by GS 2022 from the church of Ancaster regarding Hymn 1 and mandated to evaluate it. The SCBP did not duly consider it and asks that this mandate be renewed by GS 2025.
  • 3.18  Flamborough (Redemption) suggests that, because the SCBP appears inclined to act independently of their mandate, GS 2025 should take a serious look at the composition of SCBP. Winnipeg (Grace) asks that GS 2025 remind the SCBP that they are to serve and represent the interests of churches, not the interests or opinions of individual committee members. They suggest a more representative and transparent approach to choosing committee members by involving the minor assemblies.

4.   Considerations

  • 4.1    The Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP) has done substantial work in facilitating and evaluating input in order to propose additional alternate psalms and additional hymns for inclusion in the Book of Praise. They should be thanked for their work.
  • 4.2    Many churches participated in the survey and sent letters in response to the report of the SCBP. Their feedback is appreciated.
  • 4.3    Some churches correctly note that continual changes to the Book of Praise are not desirable. Our goal as churches should be to produce a Book of Praise that will last for decades.
  • 4.4    Some churches correctly observed that the SCBP did not diligently fulfill their mandate to consider whether some hymns could be deleted from the Book of Praise.
  • 4.5    Hymns with four-part harmony were included when the SCBP distributed the alternate psalms and additional hymns and were well received by the churches. Winnipeg (Grace) correctly observes that when a hymn is meant to be sung in harmony, it should be published with that harmony. The Principles and Guidelines used by the SCBP rightly observe that the “melodies and harmonies [emphasis added] of church music must be suitable for congregational singing”.
  • 4.6    Several churches question the status and value of the Principles and Guidelines. As the SCBP sought to fulfil its mandates to expand and review the song book, it adopted various principles and guidelines. These were shared with the churches and general synods throughout the years and had a function within the committee’s work to improve and amend the songbook. These principles and guidelines are not binding but are beneficial, though they were sometimes followed inconsistently.
  • 4.7    The SCBP rightly requested that their mandate to review and evaluate a letter given to them by GS 2022 from Ancaster regarding Hymn 1 needs to be renewed.
  • 4.8    Based on the feedback from the churches and the contents of the SCBP report, Synod considers it appropriate to include the following specific alternate psalms and additional hymns (see Appendix A-1 to this GS 2025 article for more details):
    • Alternate Psalms 32, 39, 51, 59, 84, 90, 95, 100, 104, 150 and additional hymns “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” (excluding stanza 4), “Before the Throne of God Above”, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, “Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come”, “Man of Sorrows! What a Name”, “Threefold Amen”, “When Peace Like a River”, “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me.”
  • 4.9    Based on the feedback from the churches and the contents of the SCBP report, Synod considers it appropriate to include all the alternate psalms and additional hymns recommended by the SCBP in Observation 3.7 and Observation 3.9, with no exclusions. See Appendix A-2 to this GS 2025 article for more details.
  • 4.10  Based on the feedback from the churches and the SCBP report, Synod considers it appropriate to make the following changes to the following specific alternate psalms (see Appendix A-3 to this GS 2025 article for more details):
    • 4.10.1  Alternate Psalm 23 – modernize the first line of stanza 4 from “A table thou hast furnish-ed.” to “A table thou hast furnished me.”
    • 4.10.2  Alternate Psalm 112 – to change stanza 4 from “he his desire will see” to “he looks in victory”, provided copyright permission can be obtained.
  • 4.11  The new wording proposed by Fergus (Maranatha) for Alternate Psalm 149 should be reviewed by the SCBP.
  • 4.12  The unified collection of the 150 Psalms of the Anglo-Genevan Psalter is a treasure.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To thank the members of the Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP) for their work in proposing alternate psalms and additional hymns for inclusion in the Book of Praise.
  • 5.2    To approve all alternate psalms and additional hymns as outlined in Considerations 4.8 and 4.9, along with the edits listed in Consideration 4.10.
  • 5.3    To mandate the Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP):
    • 5.3.1    To publish an authorized augment that includes the melody and text of the alternate psalms and additional hymns approved above, along with approved changes to Hymns 1, 55, and 58. Approved alternate psalms or additional hymns that are dependent on four-part harmony should be published in four-part harmony. Any liturgical forms updated by GS 2025 should also be included;
    • 5.3.2    To review and evaluate the letter given to them by GS 2022 from the Ancaster CanRC regarding Hymn 1;
    • 5.3.3    To evaluate the new wording proposed for Alternate Psalm 149 and make a recommendation to the next general synod. The current text should be included in the authorized augment. If the next general synod approves new wording, it may be included in the next complete version of the Book of Praise;
    • 5.3.4    To review the structure of the Book of Praise, especially the hymn section, and propose a structure (including updated hymn numbering) to the next general synod.