Singing the Psalms: Moscow, Idaho

The community of Christians worshipping at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, is part of a small denomination called the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches. They are liturgically distinctive in that they have developed their own way of singing the biblical psalms under the guidance of Dr. David Erb, as evidenced below. The result is not quite chant, but it’s not quite metrical either, and no attempt has been made to set these psalms to verse. Nevertheless, they are definitely rhythmic with a drum keeping the beat.

Christ Church has a publishing arm, Canon Press, which produces the denomination’s liturgical publications. The first three psalms below — 149, 117 and 19 — are from Worship in Harmony, while the fourth is a portion of Psalm 119 (versified) from its primary congregational worship book, Cantus Christi. I would gladly trade a dozen church choirs for a congregation that sings so skilfully and in such heartfelt fashion as that of Christ Church.