---
title: "Why We Sing the Psalms"
description: "Learn why Christ the King sings the biblical Psalms, how they point to Christ, and how to begin singing with the congregation."
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/worship/psalms/"
---

WORSHIP & CHRISTIAN LIFE

# Why We Sing the Psalms

The Bible’s songbook teaches us to praise, lament, confess, give thanks, and hope in God.

On this page[Learning the language of prayer and praise](https://ctkrp.org/worship/psalms/#songbook)[Seeing Christ in the Psalms](https://ctkrp.org/worship/psalms/#christ)[Our practice at Christ the King](https://ctkrp.org/worship/psalms/#practice)

## Learning the language of prayer and praise

The Psalms give expression to joy and sorrow, confidence and distress. Singing them helps us learn to bring the whole of life before God. Psalm 130, for example, moves from a cry for mercy to hope in the Lord’s redemption.

Read [Psalm 130](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/psalms/130). What does the singer ask God to do?

## Seeing Christ in the Psalms

Jesus directs His disciples to what was written about Him in the Psalms. Reading them in the light of His life, death, resurrection, and reign opens a rich field for Christian reflection.

Read [Luke 24:44–47](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/luke/24/44-47) and [Psalm 110](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/psalms/110).

## Our practice at Christ the King

Our church practices exclusive psalmody: the songs in our public worship are drawn from the biblical Psalms. This is a conviction about the church’s public worship; visitors are welcome to learn about it and ask questions.

Start with a short portion. Read it, discuss its meaning, and then sing with attention to the words. Familiarity grows through repetition.

## Read the pastoral study

Pastor Owen Anderson’s Worship in Spirit and in Truth presents the fuller case for congregational, unaccompanied Psalm singing. The explanations on these pages are companion material, not his verbatim writing.

[Read Pastor Anderson’s complete study](https://ctkrp.org/worship/worship-in-spirit-and-in-truth/)

## Keep exploring

[What to expect in worship](https://ctkrp.org/worship/)[Why we worship this way](https://ctkrp.org/worship/scripture/)[Why we sing the Psalms](https://ctkrp.org/worship/psalms/)[Why we sing without instruments](https://ctkrp.org/worship/unaccompanied-singing/)[Family worship at home](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/)

## Learn a Psalm together

Find your way around the Psalter, follow a tune, and practice with publisher-provided recordings.

[Learn to sing the Psalms →](https://ctkrp.org/worship/learn-to-sing-psalms/)

## Related reading

- [Keeping the Lord’s Day](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/lords-day/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-end-of-man/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-and-highest-end-of-man/)
- [Find teaching on worship](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=worship)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/worship/psalms/