Exclusive psalmody

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Exclusive psalmody is the particular worship practice of several denominations worldwide which use a metrical version of the Book of Psalms from the Bible as the only manual of songs that may be sung in their services.

The practice of Exclusive psalmody is founded on a strict interpretation of the regulative principle of worship. The Exclusive Psalmodists contends that since God has given us a collection of 150 worship songs and provides scriptural examples of them being sung proves that God requires these songs to be used in public worship (2 Chronicles 5:13, 2 Chronicles 20:21, 2 Chronicles 29:30, Ezra 3:11, Exodus 15:1).

The debate arises because there are no Biblical examples or clear commands to write or sing uninspired songs. Therefore by using a strict (sometimes called 'Puritan') interpetation of the regulative principle of worship; the exclusive Psalmists contends that we are left with the exclusive singing of the 150 Psalms in worship.