What is a Psalm Roar?
This is a day for singing psalms enthusiastically! This is a day for understanding how the psalms lead us to Jesus Christ. Some tunes be easy to learn. Others less straightforward, but like all parts of the Christian life we are called to grow and mature. There will be a variety of styles:
Metrical Psalms are like hymns: the psalm has been given a poetic form to fit a hymn tune. If you know the tune you can sing a metrical psalm straight away.
Genevan Psalms were composed in Geneva during the Reformation are are still used all over the world. The tunes can be a little different from normal hymn tunes (they often do not have a time signature) but they are often exciting. Queen Elizabeth I said she did not like these "Genevan jigs", thinking them too lively!
Through-composed Psalms are when the tune is written specifically to fit the words taken directly from the Bible.
Chanted Psalms are another way, a time-honoured way, of singing the text straight from the Bible. People often experience chanted psalms as slow and, well, a bit boring. Not on a Psalm Roar!
Four-part singing will feature in some psalms. We divide into four groups based on your God-given voice, and learn four separate "parts". Bringing them together leads to the enjoyment of beautiful harmonies. It might sound daunting but you may find these to be your favourite psalms from the day!
Why sing in four-parts?
Singing in ‘parts’ is when different tunes combine to form a beautiful harmony. Four-part singing honours the difference between the male and female voice, without forcing men or women into one form of voice. Click here for a downloadable PDF (one page) introduction to four-part singing.
Soprano - female voice, higher
The melody (main tune) often, but not always, goes to the soprano voice. Children often sing the soprano tune. Children should know that they have the main tune, the glory of the main melody, and that the other voices are there to exalt their important contribution!
Alto - female voice, lower
Tenor - male voice, higher
Bass - male voice, lower
Many of the great hymns of the past were written for singing in parts. Is it any wonder that many men do not enjoy singing hymns when they are being asked to sing tunes too high for them? At one of our Psalm Roars we had to tell the men to stop singing so loudly as they were overwhelming the other voices!
From Psalm Roar 2023
“Psalm Roar had a profound impact on me and took me much deeper into Christ. It was a very powerful and blessed time, both challenging and encouraging, as well as wonderfully enjoyable. That's the most uplifted I've felt for years. Thank you for sharing those wonderful psalms and lovely tunes with us. They will stay with me and, I'm sure, a lot of others.”
A Typical Psalm Roar…
Before the Event
Those who book a place on a Psalm Roar are given exclusive access to a Psalm-Learning Page. Videos and mp3 recordings help you learn the music before the day. This is especially helpful for those who are not used to singing using printed music or singing in parts. While a Psalm Roar is accessible to those who have never done anything like this before, we also want to be ambitious and sing many psalms. Learning before the event reduces the learning curve and enables more singing and more enjoyment.
The day itself
Typically a Psalm Roar runs from 10am to 4pm, with sessions from 45 to 70 minutes long. There are plenty of breaks for conversation, drinks and cakes! Psalm Roar attendees are usually asked to bring their own packed lunch.
We sit in our “parts” - Sopranos in one section, Tenors in another, and so on. If you have no idea what “part” you are, take a guess and move if necessary! With a variety of different styles of music, more complex singing will be interspersed with easier tunes.
Many of the psalms will be introduced with a mini-exposition. These help us understand the meaning of the psalm, so that we can sing with understanding. These mini-expositions will help all who attend gain a rich understanding of the psalms as the songs of Christ.
Most Psalm Roars are run by Rev Tim Vasby-Burnie, Vicar of St George’s Church in Shrewsbury.
Singing in Parts
“This was the one I enjoyed the most. All four parts have fun bits to sing - I'm only sad that a recording can't do justice to how rich it sounded on the day.” - from a Psalm Roar 2023 attendee
A Firm Favourite
This tune is a bit more complex but has beautiful harmonies. The original tune is from ‘Sacred Harp’ singing; the main melody is carried by the Tenors.
Through-Composed
A tune by David Erb specifically for Psalm 70. This is tricky but the result is great. The lament is sung in unison, then the statement of faith (verse 4) is sung in four parts, leading to a crescendo "LET GOD BE MAGNIFIED!". The tune returns to quiet lament; confident faith often involves the struggle of waiting.
Familiar Tunes
A metrical setting of Psalm 24 from Christopher Idle and using the stirring Trumpet Voluntary tune. The call and response of the congregation reflects the questions and answers of the psalm. Only the perfect man can enter heaven / ascend the hill of the LORD / enter the Most Holy Place. Jesus is that man, the King of Glory, the LORD mighty in battle! In his ascension he makes a way for his people to follow.
A Genevan Tune
The forceful, rhythmic music fits the tone of the psalm. The nations are conspiring against God and his Messiah, but the LORD laughs for the King, Jesus, is installed on Zion. The Father speaks his decree to the Son, "You are my Son, the nations are your inheritance, you will rule." Even today the sinful nations of the world are being conquered with the word of the gospel.
Sing the Gospel
Many psalms, like Psalm 47, speak of the ascension and reign of our Great King, the Lord Jesus Christ. The nations had been the foes of Israel but the LORD has subdued them. Now the nations are invited to yield themselves to Abraham's God, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All authority has been given to Jesus Christ, so with song we invite all nations to find joy by coming to his throne.
Memorise a Psalm!
Sing this a few times and you can memorise a whole psalm! Here is a vision of the church calling the nations to praise the LORD, because of the LORD's great love towards his people. As the church enjoys the love of the LORD Jesus Christ, and responds with song and worship, we long for the nations to hear our praise and join in! Christ is the worship leader, the church joins in with his song, and the nations are invited to add their voices.
A Round
A lively three-part round for Psalm 134. Theologian Alec Motyer imagines the pilgrims who have travelled to Jerusalem (see the Psalms of Ascent) arriving late at night. The children are eager to see the temple even though it is bed time! The night-shift are working but they are blessed for they are serving in the house of the LORD. How much more are we blessed, who form the spiritual house of God, his royal priesthood! We bless him for he blesses us.