Total Psalmody

       Total Psalmody is a concept that I have been struggling with for a while. During a 18 hour car ride, the subject came up as my family often has odd discussions like this. My sister made a case against Total Psalmody so strong that it changed my mind right there and then. My sister is an artist and she takes forms of art and expression very seriously. She stated that our response to God's great works should be spontaneous song. David, Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Anna, Moses, Hannah, and many others all wrote songs in response to God working in their lives and in the the lives of their nation. Should we not respond in this same way of worship?
      This being a powerful example... I still enjoy and value the psalms. The words of the leaders in our faith should be cherished. They bring a different perspective in worship. So valuing the new and old ways of worship should be done amongst my christian brothers and sisters.

Psalm 96 English Standard Version (ESV)

Worship in the Splendor of Holiness

96 

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!

2 

Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 

Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!

4 

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.

5 

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.

6 

Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

8 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!

9 

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;[a]
    tremble before him, all the earth!

10 

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

12 

    let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

13 

    before the Lord, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.