There are other versions of the Psalter (singing the Psalms) which are available, based on Bible translations other than the 1650 King James Version (KJV). We will be adding to this list as we discover those that hold closely to Scripture.
1. Seedbed Psalter (officially A Metrical Psalter). They explain their psalter…”When singing metrical psalms, it is important to remember that the purpose of a metrical Psalter is to set the biblical text into poetical form, not to write new poetry about the text. Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, and many other hymn writers wrote beautiful poetic verse about the mighty acts of God and the salvation found in Jesus Christ. Their poetry is exquisite. But metrical psalmody is not like hymn writing. The first goal of a metrical psalm is to follow the exact text of the psalm as closely as possible—a very different project from writing original poetry.” More information can be found at https://psalms.seedbed.com. This website is a rich resource of more modern words, yet very reminiscent of the 1650 Psalter. Highly recommended!
2. Psalms for All Seasons (2012) is a website full of information for psalm singers. Their 3 minute introduction video is a great way to understand the impact of the Psalms in the 21st century. http://psalmsforallseasons.org/. Having not seen it, I’m not recommending their book, just the website. Under “Liturgical Resources” you will find ‘Heidelberg Catechism & the Psalms’ which suggests selections from both under topics (baptism, comfort/assurance, etc.). ‘Psalm Singing History’ offers one explanation why churches have returned to singing Psalms. There are CDs available for this book, also. For those interested, according to the website the book includes:
the complete New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) text of the psalm, presented with alternating regular and boldfaced type for responsive readings and red markings that enable the chanting of the psalm
a Christian prayer that responds to a theme, imagery, or basic intent of the psalm;
a brief footnote which identifies the psalm’s genre or type, highlights significant features of its form or imagery, and suggests a range of uses in Christian worship
one or more settings of the psalm, most of which are musical settings for congregational use
3. The Saint Andrew’s Plainchant Psalter: An Abridged Version of the Book of the Psalms (The Saint Andrew’s Music and Liturgy Series) (Volume 2) (2015). John E. Haines. “This Psalter is a companion to “The Saint Andrew’s Plainchant Breviary”. The goal was to make the chanting of the Psalms accessible to the average musical congregant, choir member, and service leader, in the hopes of creating a supplementary psalter for private or corporate services. The texts have been edited into modern English from the King James Version of the Bible so that they are readily understood and singable. Chant tunes are in modern notation with simple guitar chords for those who may desire accompaniment.” https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Andrews-Plainchant-Psalter-Abridged/dp/1514783681
4. The Saint Andrew’s Metrical Psalter (The Saint Andrew’s Sacred Music and Liturgy Series) (Volume 3). Dr. John E. Haines. “The Saint Andrew’s Metrical Psalter is a new edition of “The Psalms in Metre Selected from the Psalms of David” originally published by the Protestant Episcopal Press of New York in 1836. The Psalm lyrics were composed by Nahum Tate (poet laureate of England) and Nicholas Brady (an Anglican clergyman) in their “New Version of the Psalms of David” in 1686. The “Tate and Brade Psalter” as it came to be called, stands alone for its literary elegance and historical significance. This new edition has retained some of the original tunes and has incorporated well-known traditional hymn tunes as well as a number of newly composed ones. In addition, each Psalm has a simplified keyboard accompaniment with guitar chords for the greatest musical variety and accessibility possible.” https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Andrews-Plainchant-Psalter-Abridged/dp/1514783681
5. The Psalms Project (from Australia) https://thepsalmsprojectband.com.
6. The ARP Psalter with Bible Songs (2011) is set up in a typical hymnbook format with words and music on the same page. Much effort went into keeping these words true to modern Scripture translations. Several tunes from the Scottish and Irish psalters are included. “The ARP Psalter — published in 2011 by Crown & Covenant Publications. The ARP Psalter is a cooperative project of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the ARP Psalter includes selections that represent all verses of the 150 psalms from The Book of Psalms for Worship and 55 selections from Bible Songs.” Some of the tunes may be more difficult to sing than those in psalters which use the KJV words. The ARP bookstore has closed, but these can be found at Abe Books or Amazon. (If Amazon says something about an ‘error’ when you click on the book, you may need to sign in to see it clearly.) Abebooks https://www.abebooks.com/9781884527272/ARP-Psalter-Bible-Songs-1884527272/plp Amazon https://www.amazon.com/ARP-Psalter-Bible-Songs/dp/1884527272/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ARP+Psalter+with+bible+songs&qid=1626798410&s=books&sr=1-1
7. The Book of Psalms for Worship (2009) is another good psalter. The ARP Psalter with Bible Songs used this research and many of the tunes in their 2011 publication. Both psalters include an “Index of Familiar Hymn Tunes”. This psalter is thicker and more complex since it includes additional tunes and variations for most psalms. It comes in a smaller version (although just as thick). There are helps, including several CDs (around 18 selections/CD). www.crownandcovenant.com/The_Book_of_Psalms_for_Worship_s/117.htm
Crown and Covenant offers many resources for free https://crownandcovenant.com/pages/free-resources?_pos=1&_sid=15aa8d363&_ss=r