Psalm titles

[jambo]

Two quick questions on public reading of scripture.

1. When you publicly read a Psalm, do you read the title? ie 'For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David'? Or do you just read the longer ones such as the inscription of Ps 59 etc? Could you give your reasons for reading/not reading them out?

2. During the reading of OT passages and you come to 'the LORD', do you say 'The LORD' or use the name Jehovah or WHWH? Again give reasons for doing/not doing so?

I would always read the Psalm title as it is part of the Psalm (don't Jews consider the title as verse 1?) and hence part of inspiration. It also sets the tone of the Psalm. I have actually heard very few people read Psalm titles out.

Over the last 3-4 years I have got into the habit of saying Jehovah rather than 'LORD'. I find it makes more of an impact as it draws attention to the actual name used by God in the passage. I used to say WHWH then felt there was no consistancy as you should then be saying Y'shue instead of Jesus

 

[N. Eshelman]

Stuart,

I too read the Psalm titles since they are part of the inspired text. I am not sure if they were intended to be read, but I think, as you do, that it sets the tone for the Psalm. We read which psalm it is (ie; Psalm 51), and no one considers these inspired. On a side note- I do NOT read 'selah' since I believe that it is a notation, and not a word to be pronounced.

I read LORD when I come across it. The reason is that I think that it would be too 'innovative' in my circles to change the words. I like the idea though!

 

[jambo]

I would never say the word 'selah' either although I have heard the odd person say 'selah' when reading a Psalm. Invariably it is a visiting speaker who then explains his understanding of the word which breaks the flow and seems to go against what selah actually means. I take it be a brief pause for reflection.