Genevan Psalter: the 150 metrical Psalms for congregational singing in Reformed and Presbyterian worship
— John Calvin, Commentary on Psalm 33:2
Praise the Lord with harp. It is evident that the Psalmist here expresses the fervor and ardent affection which the faithful ought to have in praising God, in requiring that musical instruments should be employed for this purpose. The name of God, it is true, can, properly speaking, be celebrated only by the articulate voice; but David, not without cause, adds to it the aids by which believers were wont to stir up themselves the more to this exercise, especially considering that he was speaking to the ancient people of God.
Yet a distinction is here to be observed, that we may not indiscriminately consider as applicable to ourselves every thing which was formerly enjoined upon the Jews. I have no doubt that playing upon cymbals, harps, and viols, and all that kind of music which is so frequently mentioned in the Psalms, was a part of the training of the law, that is to say, of that puerile instruction to which the people were subjected under the Old Testament, or the service of the temple. Even now, if believers wish to stir themselves up with the aid of musical instruments, they should take care that their purpose be not to turn aside the joy of praising God into vain amusement. But when they assemble in their sacred meetings, the use of musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would not be more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law.
The Papists have therefore foolishly borrowed this, along with many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by his apostle is much more pleasing to him.
