enhanced searches of the material far-

and-awayexcels eye scanning.

Thecomputerversion breaks down
the Confessioninto thirty-threesepamte
files (one for each chapter). It breaks
the Larger Catechism into four files and
the index into six files. This is helpful in
some respects, but frustrating in others.
In WordPerfect 5.1 you can search for
a word through the Directory screen
(F5,9,4) extremely fast. But when the
words are found by this method, only
the file names containing the words is
listed in the Directory screen. You then
have to enter each file and do a normal
Search (F2) to find the exact entries.
Whereas, when a Search (F2) is done in
each of the thirty-three files (of the
Confession) one at a time , itissomewhat
slower but it takes you right to each
entry. But this requires entering and
exiting thirty-three files.
I may regret this but I combined
files, reducing their number but
expanding the per-need search range. I
combined the thirtycthree small
Confession files into three larger files. I
collapsed the Larger Catechism into
one file and the Index into two files.
This saves a lot of manual back-and-
forth, thoughitslows the per-file search
time. I also saved two versions of the
Confession: Onestrippedofallfootuote
proof-texts (procedure: combine into
one file, then do Search and Replace of
footuotes with nothing) and three
containingtheentire Confessionin three
parts but with all footuete proof-texts.
I noticed a typo or two, though not
very many at all (e.g., WCF 32:2 had
"hte" for "the" - I recognized this typo
because I constantly do it myself!).
Our hats are off to Bordwine for a
mostusefultoolforstudentsofreformed
theology. May the Lord bless the use of
his A Guide to the Westminster
Standards: Corifession of Faith and
Larger Catechism. 0
Byron Snapp
Book Review
The Psalms of David in Metre with
notes by Jolm Brown, Presbyterian
Heritage Publications P.O. Box 180922
Dallas, Texas 487 pp. including
appendices hb. ($24.95) Quantity
discounts are available.
Although I do not hold to the
position of exclusive psalmody (that
only psalms should be sung in worship
services), I am very happy to see this
book in print.
In his preface the author points out
three reasons why he believes hymns
should not be a part of public worship
1) Hymns are extremely dangerous
because of possible errors creeping in
by them. 2) With the existence of the
psalms and scriptural songs there is no
need for other songs. 3) Psalms are "a
standing form of pmise in the church."
While my purpose is not an in-depth
defense of the use of hymns in worship
services I do believe a coupleofremarks
at this point are needed.
We must always be on guard for
heresy, God's word is our standard by
whichwearetojudgehymns,preaching
and doctrine in whatever fOmIat it is
presented. Secondlythemetrical psalms
give us an excellent statement of the
teaching in each psalm. ltI singing
them we are not singing the inspired
word of God. We are singing able,
man-written renditions of the psalms.
The first stanza of Psalm 1 provides a
good example.
That man hath peifect blessedness,
who walketh lWt astray
In counsel of ungodly men,
nor stands in sinners' W'!Y.
Yet this book is enjoyable. The
singing of psalms can be a valued part
of family worship as well as public
worship. While no music is included
for the psalms most of them can be
sung to common metre. A valuable
index includes a list of psalms that must
be sung to another metre. Hymnbooks
provide a wide selection of common
metre armngements as well as short
and long metre armngements from
which to choose.
The Psalmsspeakto awidespecrrum
of human emotions thus provide a real
help to God's people as they are read or
sung.
Brown prefaces each metrical psalm
with notes outlining the psalm and
pmctical application. Of great help to
the reader are Brown'smanycomments
on how psalms relate to Christ. The
preface to Psalm 18 closes with these
words: "Let lne sing this new song, in
the full assurance of faith, that God in
Christ is my All in all; and with a heart
mvishedwiththeconsolationsofChrist,
and in the sweet reviews of what he
hath done, what he doth, and what he
will for ever do for my sou!." (p. 39).
Psalm 119 contains an overall preface.
This is followed by a preface to each
eight verse section.
A variety of aids are included in the
back of the book including a glossary
that explains wordsunfarniliar to many
today. A very helpful index of first and
familiar lines are also included. The
quality binding prolongs the book's
use.
Uk me, I am sure many are not
exclusive psalmists. We must not go to
the other extreme and not sing any
psalms. Our chUdrenneed to learn the
value ofsingingpsalmsaswellashymns.
This book can be a real encouragement
toward that goal. Brown's notes make
this book more than a psalter. It is also
a very helpful tool inourunderstanding
the psalms better. Discipleship groups
and churches can also use this book
with profit.O
July/August, 1992 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 'l' 25