Tercentenary of The Scottish Psalter of 1635

Author: 
Herbert Wiseman Esq, MA, Director of Music, Edinburgh Education Committee

Herbert Wiseman, while not unmindful of the anomaly, welcomes [R C] Sir Richard Terry’s new 1935 edition of the 1635 Scottish Psalter.  It consists of two main sections: transference of the tune from the tenor part to the treble, with appropriate harmonisation; and the reprinting of the Psalter in its original form.  Wiseman then sets the Psalter in its historical context and surveys and evaluates some of the tunes adopted.  “The mawkish sentimental hymn-tune is a poor substitute 
for our old Psalm tunes.”  He looks forward in hope.

Reference: 
Volume 07 1934-35, p21