A MIRROR TO THE SOUL
30 contemporary hymns based on Psalms
By Timothy Dudley Smith
Royal School of Church Music. £6.95
ISBN 978 0 854 022 342
It seems strange that although most Christians draw much strength and comfort from reading the psalmist’s struggles and praying his prayers after him, singing the Psalms is in decline.
Noting the small selection of metrical versions of Psalms in regular use, the author sets out to encourage their use in public worship, by presenting 30 contemporary hymn texts, set to known tunes, with a handful of tunes published here for the first time.
Timothy Dudley Smith’s undated texts are based on a good selection from the 150 Psalms, and themes for each text are suggested. All are clear, easily understood and of high quality, as is expected from one of our most significant hymn writers.
Alternative tunes and metres are given and since most of the set tunes are easily available to musicians in other books, I would have preferred to see more newly composed tunes, covering a wider range of musical styles. Many churches do not come from the tradition of having choirs or organists to accompany their singing, so guitar chords for all items may have widened the appeal of this book.
Would this new collection encourage those who do not often sing Psalms, to begin to explore the hymn book of the Bible?
Churchgoers will use this book for personal devotion. Church musicians will be glad to find some new tunes, helpful themes, and carefully selected alternatives provided by William Llewellyn, the music editor. This book would probably appeal most to those who already sing Psalms, but unfortunately, I am not sure those from the broader church family would be attracted to do so.
