A History of Hymnals in the Christian Reformed Church

Worship Pastor and Calvin Seminarian Zach Schenk documents the history of hymnals in the Christian Reformed Church

The CRCNA has used official denominational hymnals since 1914 to give a common voice to its churches’ worship and to equip them with beautiful songs and liturgical resources aligned with solid biblical, Reformed theology by which to edify congregations.

Pre-1935:

The early years of the CRC saw much the same worship practice as the Netherlands – namely exclusive psalmody. This Dutch tradition of psalm-singing, much like other Dutch traditions, faced a wave of Americanization, the results of which can be summarized in three main ways: the introduction of hymn-singing in addition to Psalm-singing, a transition from Dutch language singing to English, and the introduction of church choirs in congregational song.[1] Americanization is one of the most persistent themes in the CRC’s history of hymnody and hymnals. In 1914, the denomination approved its first official hymnal, though this hymnal was not originally published by the CRC. The United Presbyterian English Psalter was approved by synod in 1914 for use in English-speaking congregations, and it contained 436 tunes for 150 psalms.[2]

The culmination of this pre-1935 period was Synod 1932. Synod 1932 declared that in churches “only the 150 Psalms of David and the collection of hymns for church use, approved and adopted by Synod, shall be sung. However, while the singing of the Psalms in divine worship is a requirement, the use of the approved hymns is left to the freedom of the churches.”[3] Polman clarifies three reasons for this statement: some hymns were approved by the Synod of Dordt, the Scriptures clearly call for a new song, and hymn singing is a neutral act (Polman, 6).[4] This, in turn, opened the future of denominational hymnals to include synodically approved hymns in addition to the foundational and mandatory practice of psalm-singing.

The Red Psalter Hymnal (1934-5):

Following this 1932 change in Church Order to allow hymns, the CRCNA endeavoured to produce its first denominational hymnal. In 1934, synod approved the denomination’s first Psalter Hymnal – a red book appropriately referred to as the Red Psalter Hymnal. The publication of this hymnal was both an affirmation of the historic hymn-singing tradition of Christianity and a step towards Americanization. Its contents included 327 metrical psalm settings, 135 hymns, and 6 doxologies. Among the selections were such famous hymns as “All Glory, Laud and Honor,” “A Mighty Fortress,” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” This new hymnal was a “publication for the Church’s own use in public worship,” affirming that it was the church’s own business and duty to produce its own hymnals.[5] Thus, the Red Psalter Hymnal, though in some ways acceding to American congregational song, served also to maintain doctrinal fidelity.

Though this hymnal was monumental for the denomination, some pieces of it were not well received. By 1951, synod charged a committee to revise the Red Psalter Hymnal. This revision was approved in 1956 and published in 1959. Thus, the Blue Psalter Hymnal was born.

The Blue Psalter Hymnal (1959, Revised 1976):

Synod of 1951 declared that “the service of song is an important element in divine worship, hence we should elevate it to the highest possible degree.”[6] Therefore, since there were also comments for such improvements on poor poetics and inferior harmonizations within the Red Psalter Hymnal, synod adopted these recommendations and commissioned a team which would eventually produce the Blue Psalter Hymnal.

Synod of 1953, after some deliberation, adopted a foundational principle for church music: “The music of the church should be appropriate for worship.”[7] This foundational principle guided the selections for this new hymnal in two main ways: church music should be liturgical (that is, an expression of biblical thought which serves the ministry of the Word) and beautiful (that is, the biblical thought should be embodied in music as poetry – balancing unity, variety, harmony, design, rhythm, restraint, and fitness).

This hymnal was widely known as the centennial hymnal, although the centennial year was 1957, and the hymnal was not actually published until 1959. Once fully approved and published in 1959, the Blue Psalter Hymnal included 310 psalm settings and 183 hymns.[8]

In 1971, synod adopted a proposal to create a supplement to this hymnal. A wide range of musical expression among worshippers was named as a chief reason to add to the list of hymns available for use by congregations. In order to remain open to improvement and to take advantage of the vast array of biblically sound hymns that could edify congregations,[9] subsequent synods approved a supplement to this hymnal.

Prior to the release of the denomination’s next hymnal, the synods of 1974 and 1975 made groundbreaking decisions regarding the use of hymns outside of the synodically approved hymnals for congregational singing. Synod of 1974 decided for the first time to “allow the use of scripturally-sound hymns other than those synodically approved,”[10] while in 1975 synod clarified that any hymns not synodically approved should be approved by the consistory in accordance with synodical regulations.[11] In some ways, the decisions of these synods began the decline in the necessity and use of hymnals. In 1976, synod approved a revision of the Blue Psalter Hymnal, which changed none of the psalm or song selections, but importantly revised the translation of the Heidelberg Catechism.

The Grey Psalter Hymnal (1987):

In 1977 came the synodical mandate for a new hymnal. One of the more interesting of reasons for this new hymnal was “the proliferation of hymnals containing songs which are unreformed in doctrine [and] lacking in musical quality”[12] among various congregations. In 1983, the first sample for the new Psalter Hymnal was presented to synod,[13] and in 1984, the table and order of contents of the new Psalter hymnal were approved.[14] Synod of 1986 subsequently approved the Bible songs, hymns, indices, liturgical forms, and psalms which were to appear in this hymnal, and in 1987, synod gave the final approval of the new Psalter Hymnal.[15] This Grey Psalter Hymnal was guided by the synodical statement of principle adopted in 1979, which declared (much like synod in 1953) that church music should be liturgical and aesthetically beautiful, reflect the dialogue between God and his people, be true to the full message of Scripture and of the biblical Christian experience, and be “relevant, enduring, festive, and dignified.”[16]

The Grey Psalter Hymnal contained 641 songs in total. The beginning of the hymnal featured arrangements of each of the 150 psalms. Following the psalms were 86 Bible songs, then 405 hymns. The hymnal also featured liturgical forms for such elements of the service as the Lord’s Supper, baptism, and the ordination and installation of officebearers, among others. This hymnal also included the creeds and confessions of the CRCNA as well as the contemporary testimony “Our World Belongs to God.”

Sing! A New Creation (2001):

In 1998, a Psalter Hymnal supplement titled “Sing! A New Creation” was announced. It was co-published with the RCA in 2001 and sought to supplement the hymnals of both denominations during an enormous increase in diversity of repertoire among congregations.[17] Therefore, as an act of embracing newness in church music and declaring unity with the larger body of Christ, the committee for this new supplement selected around 300 supplementary songs and hymns from the latter half of the 20^th century.

One result of the publication and success of this new supplement was the realization of a need for a new hymnal. This realization was presented to synod in 2003.[18] Thus, not only was this hymnal supplement successful at equipping congregations with more songs to sing, but it also prompted the production of a new hymnal for both the CRCNA and the RCA.

Lift Up Your Hearts (2012):

Synod of 2007 adopted Faith Alive Christian Resources’ recommendation to co-publish a new hymnal titled Lift Up Your Hearts: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs in order to enhance denominational identity and unity between the CRCNA and RCA, as well as for other wide-ranging benefits – even to congregations which chose not to purchase the new hymnal.[19] In subsequent years, there was some debate over including the confessions of the CRCNA (and RCA) in this new hymnal. In 2011, Faith Alive proposed to synod that the confessions of the CRCNA not be included in the new hymnal on the grounds of size, an intended liturgical rather than educational purpose, and ecumenicity. They proposed instead that the confessions be published in a separate volume.[20] This was adopted by synod. Confessions and liturgical forms were not included in the published version of this hymnal, marking an important turn. In 2012, synod officially endorsed Lift Up Your Hearts for use in Christian Reformed Churches.[21]

Lift Up Your Hearts presents its content (namely songs and various liturgical pieces) in two main sections: “The Story of Creation and Redemption,” including the Christian year and faith journey, and “Worshipping the Triune God,” which follows the outline of Reformed worship services. This hymnal contains a total of 965 psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for use by Reformed congregations.[22] Its uses include corporate worship, small groups, meetings, pastoral care, personal and family devotions, simplified arrangements for young and new musicians, and teaching God’s story.[23] As such, it is a comprehensive hymnal with potential for extensive use in the life of the church and the Christian.

2013-Present:

Since Lift Up Your Hearts, there has been no significant development in CRCNA hymnal history. However, Synod 2022 changed Article 47 of church order to include “a general reference to more than one hymnal approved for congregational use.”[24] Therefore, it is possible for subsequent hymnals to be approved by synod for congregational use which are not mutually exclusive (e.g. congregations currently using the 1987 Psalter Hymnal and Lift Up Your Hearts). Considering the explosion in the production of church music and liturgical resources, perhaps it is time for the CRCNA to consider producing another hymnal.

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Zachary Schenk is the Worship Pastor at Bethel CRC in Acton, ONT. He is also studying for his MDiv at Calvin Theological Seminary

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[1] Bert Polman, “A History of Music in the Christian Reformed Church,” Conferences on Liturgy and Music, 1979, https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/crcna_colam/5?utm_source=digitalcommons.calvin.edu%2Fcrcna_colam%2F5&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages, 3-4.

[2] CRCNA, 1914 Acts of Synod (English Translation), 1914, https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1080&context=crcna_synod-agendas, 11.

[3] CRCNA, 1932 Acts of Synod, 1932, https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1109&context=crcna_synod-agendas, 140.

[4] Polman, “A History of Music in the Christian Reformed Church,” 6.

[5] CRCNA, 1932 Acts of Synod, 14.

[6] CRCNA, 1951 Agenda and Acts of Synod, 1951, https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1155&context=crcna_synod-agendas.

[7] CRCNA, 1953 Agenda and Acts of Synod, 1953, https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1159&context=crcna_synod-agendas, 495.

[8] Polman, “A History of Music in the Christian Reformed Church,” 6.

[9] CRCNA, 1971 Acts of Synod, 1971, https://www.calvin.edu/library/database/crcnasynod/1971agendaacts.pdf, 47-48.

[10] CRCNA, 1974 Acts of Synod, 1974, https://www.calvin.edu/library/database/crcnasynod/1974agendaacts.pdf, 109.

[11] CRCNA, 1975 Acts of Synod, 1975, https://www.calvin.edu/library/database/crcnasynod/1975agendaacts.pdf, 47.

[12] CRCNA, 1977 Acts of Synod, 1977, https://www.calvin.edu/library/database/crcnasynod/1977agendaacts.pdf, 139.

[13] CRCNA, 1983 Acts of Synod, 1983, https://www.calvin.edu/library/database/crcnasynod/1983agendaacts.pdf, 631.

[14] CRCNA, Index of Synodical Decisions 1857-2000, 2001, https://www.crcna.org/sites/default/files/Index%201857-2000.pdf, 63.

[15] CRCNA, 1987 Agenda and Acts of Synod, 1987, https://www.calvin.edu/library/database/crcnasynod/1987agendaacts.pdf, 683.

[16] Christian Reformed Church, ed., Grey Psalter Hymnal (CRC Publications, 1987), 11.

[17] Calvin Institute of Christian Worship et al., eds., Sing! A New Creation (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship; CRC Publications; Reformed Church Press, 2001), 5.

[18] CRCNA, 2003 Agenda for Synod, 2003, https://www.crcna.org/sites/default/files/2003_agenda.pdf, 147.

[19] CRCNA, 2007 Acts of Synod, 2007, https://www.crcna.org/sites/default/files/2007_acts.pdf, 580.

[20] CRCNA, 2011 Agenda for Synod, 2011, https://www.crcna.org/sites/default/files/2011_agenda.pdf, 177-178.

[21] CRCNA, 2012 Acts of Synod, 2012, https://www.crcna.org/sites/default/files/2012_acts.pdf, 769-770.

[22] Lift Up Your Hearts was the first of the CRCNA’s hymnals not to have the entire Psalter published. Psalms are scattered throughout the hymnal in their appropriate thematic and liturgical sections. However, because the hymnal committee gathered so many arrangements of psalms, and because psalm-singing is still an important part of congregational worship, Psalms for All Seasons was also published in 2012 as an unofficial supplement.

[23] CRCNA, 2013 Acts of Synod, 2013, https://www.crcna.org/sites/default/files/2013_acts.pdf, 551.

[24] CRCNA, Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government (Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2019), 197.