Psalm and Scripture Reading: Hearing God’s Voice
Following the Confession of Faith, the Psalm and Scripture Reading in the liturgy is where the congregation listens to God’s Word. Public Scripture reading is a vital element of Christian worship, deeply rooted in biblical tradition. From the Old Testament gatherings in Nehemiah’s day (Nehemiah 8:1-8) to the New Testament church, God’s people have always placed a high value on hearing the Word read aloud. In public worship, this practice serves as a reminder that the foundation of our faith is the revealed Word of God, not human wisdom or creativity.
Understanding Psalm and Scripture Reading
The Psalm and Scripture Reading involve the public reading of a Psalm and other passages from the Bible. This element is designed to let God’s voice be heard directly by the congregation. The choice of readings also connect the congregation to the broader narrative of Scripture.
Scriptural Foundations of Reading God’s Word
The practice of public reading of Scripture is well-documented in the Bible, serving as a means to instruct, edify, and remind God’s people of His truths:
- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 8: “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the Water Gate; and they spoke unto Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the congregation, both of men and women and all who could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the Water Gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the Book of the Law.”
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1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to public reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Luke 4:16-19 “And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms…”
These passages demonstrate the value placed on the public reading of Scripture as a means of proclaiming God’s Word and instructing the community of faith.
The Impact of the Psalm and Scripture Reading on Worship
The Psalm and Scripture Reading impact the worship experience in several significant ways:
- Centers Worship on God’s Word: It centers the worship service on God’s Word, ensuring that Scripture is central.
- Fosters Scriptural Literacy: It fosters scriptural literacy among the congregation, as they become more familiar with the Bible and its teachings.
- Connects to the Gospel: It connects the themes of the readings to the broader narrative of the gospel.
- Emphasizes Corporate Worship: It shows that we are not worshiping, reading, or living alone.
Incorporating public Scripture reading into the service liturgy allows the congregation to hear God’s Word proclaimed, reflecting the communal and transformative power of the Bible. It also sets the tone for the preaching, worship, and application of the Word in our lives, ensuring that the worship experience remains centered on the truth of Christ.