Quotes from Church Fathers on Psalm Singing

The following are quotations from early church fathers on psalm-singing. They are taken from "A Brief History of Psalm-singing in the Ancient Church," by R. Mark Shipp, and A Cappella Music in the Public Worship of the Church, by Everett Fergusion. Used by permission.

Clement of Alexandria, died 215 AD. in The Stromata, chapter I, he commands the singing of “David” (the quotation is from Ps. 51:7–12) to the faithful laborer:

And let each of these, according to the blessed David, sing, giving thanks. “Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed. Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear gladness and joy, and the bones which have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn Thy face from my sins. Blot out mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my inward parts. Cast me not away from Thy face, and take not Thy Holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and establish me with Thy princely spirit."

Tertullian (ca. 160-ca. 225 AD)

Tertullian lists the acts of worship as "when the scriptures are read, or the psalms are chanted, or sermons are preached, or prayers are sent up" (On the Soul, 9.4; On Prayer, 27-28).

Eusebius (ca. 260-before 341 AD)

Eusebius summarizes Christian worship as "The singing of psalms and recitation of other such words as have been given us from God" (Church History X.iii.3).

In his "Commentary on Psalms" he says

Throughout the world—in cities, in villages, and in the country—in all the churches of God the people of Christ, who have been chosen out of all the nations, send up, not to the native gods nor to demons but to the one God spoken of by the prophets, hymns and psalmody with a loud voice so that the sound of those singing can be heard by those standing outside.

Ambrose (ca. 338-397)

[W]hen the psalm is recited it makes its own "silence," since all are speaking and there is no disturbance. Psalms are sung by emperors; the common people rejoice in them. Each man does his utmost in singing what will be a blessing to all... Psalmody unites those who disagree, makes friends of those at odds, brings together those who are out of charity with one another. Who could retain a grievance against the man with whom he had joined in singing before God? The singing of praise is the very bond of unity..." (On Psalm One, Exposition 9).

John Chrysostom (c.347– c.407)
They all met together and in old time and responded to the Psalms in common. This we do also now, but then among all there was one soul and one heart (Homily XXXVI, On 1 Corinthians, 14:33).