then why can't we just sing psalms for the sake of unity?It satisfies both sides.
because it would be sacrificing truth for the sake of unity and it does not satisfy those who believe that the Bible teaches us to sing Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as three distinct categories of songs.
We know for certain psalms are sound, we don't know for certain that uninspired hymns are for sound.
We can know about the soundness of any song as long as the elders are fulfilling their duty in the way they lead worship and our people are thinking and using discernment as they worship. We do not have to embrace nor sing questionable songs. Who does this? We do not sing songs with shoddy theology.
Uninspired hymns are what needs more light to justify.
This is your opinion. One can sing a Scripture song and not interpret the Scripture correctly and believe a lie (twisted Scripture)! It is not just about the words, or order of words - but about the content and meaning of what we sing.
So why must we have them? Why must they replace psalms?
No one I have heard is arguing to REPLACE the Psalms. This may be your problem - believing that nonEPers REPLACE the Psalms and never sing them. This is nonsense. We sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. You sing Psalms only. Fine. We just believe that we have a wider range of songs available to us to sing to God's glory. This does not detract from the Bible, but enhances the truth - just as a good sermon enhances the meaning and application of the text for us to live out and obey. Singing good solid hymns helps us better understand, apply, and obey right doctrine.
In fact, singing is much like preaching. We are to "adminish one another" with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. We sing to God and EACH OTHER - giving praise to God and instructing each other in truth.
Would you limit your pastor to preaching only Bible verses? Or is he allowed to explain the text? A good hymn is an exposition of Biblical truth.
As for Spurgeon, by the way, I have a copy of a book that he published (copyright 1883) for the members of his church for family worship. It contains readings and devotions for every day with prayers and then a suggestion of hymns to sing. In the back of the book he included a compilation of "Songs for Home Worship" that were taken out of the hymnal he put together for his church to use in worship. It is not EP and in fact there is not one single "inspired" hymn in the whole list.
That is all I will say on the matter.
For the whole thread in general, unity requires teachability and growth in grace. Be unified as best you can, "be at peace as much as depends upon you", don't go looking for the differences, and learn to listen. Put others first while standing for and speaking the truth in love. And pray for Christ to come again soon!
Phillip