Metrical Psalms and Hymns

Metrical Psalms And Hymns Several of the Psalms were translated into English metre, during the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII, by Sir Thomas Wyatt, and printed in 1549. This version, however, is supposed to be lost. It has been thought that a reference to some metrical psalms existed in the 7th section of the 1st Act of Uniformity in the reign of Edward VI, 1549, authorizing the use of the Prayer-book, where it was enacted "that it shall be lawful for all men, as well in churches, chapels, oratories, or other places, to use openly any psalm or prayer taken out of the Bible at any due time; not letting or omitting thereby the service, or any part thereof, mentioned in the said book." But this was several years antecedent to the appearance of any regular version. The metrical Psalms, called the "Old Version," originated with Sternhold. who was groom of the robes to Henry VIII and Edward VI, and was continued by others until 1641, when the revisers of the Prayer-book declared that "singing of hymns in metre is no part of the liturgy," and therefore they refused to consider them, as not in their commission. See Proctor, On Common Prayer (see Index); Cardwell, Conferences, s.v.; Bates, Christ. Antiq. s.v.; Staunton, Ecclesiastes Dict. s.v. SEE PSALMS, VERSIONS OF.