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The Regulative Principleand Exclusive A cappella Psalm Singingas a Worship Requirement.
By K.E. StegallCopyright © 2001 by K.E. Stegall721 Mississippi, Lawrence, KS 66044All rights reserved.
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The issue:The worship REQUIREMENTof Exclusive Acappella Psalm singing
.The other morning as I was clearing away kitchen debris from the late night snacking of theevening before I noticed someone had installed a new roll of paper towels. As I threw the Bountywrapper away I found myself humming Psalm 36B from the RPCNA Psalter. I had to smile atmyself when I realized what had brought it to mind. “They with the bounty of Thy house shall bewell satisfied...”I tell this story as illustration of the fact that I love singing the Psalms. I have sung the Psalms allmy life and have found them a great source of strengthening to my faith as well as mostmeaningful and applicable to life’s many and varied situations. I have always done my best tocontribute to our church’s Psalm singing in positive ways and to enhance, promote and energize itas much as possible.The following commentary
is not about
the rightness or edification of singing the Psalms . ThePsalms are a part of God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, and as such always fulfill God’s purpose inthe heart of all who hear, read or sing them.The following commentary
is about
whether exclusive acappella Psalm singing should be aREQUIREMENT of our corporate and private worship or any worship directed toward God that praises, glorifies and communes with Him in order to be acceptable to Him.
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The Regulative Principle.
The Old Testament concept, “Whatsoever is not commanded is forbidden.” as seen in
Exodus 25:40, See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
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and
Deuteronomy 12:32, See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.
which we now refer to as the Regulative Principle is mentioned only twice in the New Testament.Stephen refers to it as a part of his review of God’s work in Israelite history in
Acts 7:44, Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had beenmade as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.
The other New Testament reference is in Hebrews where the author gives a lengthy explanation of the purpose and meaning of the strict requirement to make everything according “...to the patternshown you...”Speaking of the Israelite priesthood the author says,
 New International Version (NIV)Hebrews 8:5, They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moseswas warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."[1]1.[5] Exodus 25:40 New American Standard Bible (NASB)Hebrews 8:5, who serve <*1> a copy and <*2> shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses [1] was <*3>warned by God when he was about to erect the [2] tabernacle; for, ""<*4> SEE,'' He says, ""THAT YOUMAKE all things ACCORDING TOTHE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.''1.Lit has been2.Or sacred tent1.Heb 9:232.Col 2:17; Heb 10:13.Matt 2:12; Heb 11:7; 12:254.Ex 25:40King James Version (KJV)Hebrews 8:5, Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.Young's Literal Translation (YLT)Hebrews 8:5, who unto an example and shadow do serve of the heavenly things, as Moses hath beendivinely warned, being about to construct the tabernacle, for `See (saith He) thou mayest make all thingsaccording to the pattern that was shewn to theein the mount;') --1All Scripture quotations will be from the New International Version of 
The Holy Bible
unless otherwise noted.
The Regulative Principle
... by K.E. Stegall1
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