SING SCRIPTURE:
New Scripture Songs in Metre, third edition
2015 (mainly words only)
Edited by Donald M Macdonald
Free Church of Scotland. 142 pages £6.00
ISBN 978 0 954 459 148
More than ever these days, some humble sensitivity is needed in assessing Scottish developments from south of the border; we must respect one another’s histories and heritage. What may appear to the English as faithful but plodding paraphrases are probably a breath of invigorating Highland air, sharing the rugged style and extending the scope of the older Psalm versions.
These songs come in Bible order; 13 from the prophets, eight from the gospels, 48 from the epistles and six from Revelation, plus two robust baptismal hymns. One of two ‘extras’ with new music is straight, unrhymed Numbers 6, which makes us wish that Exodus or Deuteronomy had been included. Smooth rhymes and stresses take second place to accuracy of meaning.
