The Puritans worship God using the Psalms, and the Psalms alone.  They did not allow musical instruments to pervade their worship, but instead, kept to the simplicity that is found in the New Testament as what is known as "congregational singing" instead of the Old Testament ceremonial worship which was primarily done by the Levitical priests instituted by David under God's direct command.  They used the Psalms as the divinely inspired songbook for the church.  The following articles reflect the view that the Psalms are "the" Manuel of God's ordained Praise of Himself, which is to be accomplished by the Church.  

The Westminster Confession of Faith reflects this view:

The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXI
Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day

Paragraph 5:

The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear,[17] the sound preaching [18] and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith, and reverence,[19] singing of psalms with grace in the heart;[20] as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God:[21] beside religious oaths,[22] vows,[23] solemn fastings,[24] and thanksgivings upon special occasions,[25] which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner.[26]

17. Luke 4:16-17; Acts 15:21; Col. 4:16; I Thess. 5:27; Rev. 1:3
18. II Tim. 4:2; Acts 5:42
19. James 1:22; Acts 10:33; Matt. 13:19; Heb. 4:2; Isa. 66:2
20. Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; James 5:13; I Cor. 14:15
21. Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 11:23-29; Acts 2:42
22. Deut. 6:13; Neh. 10:29; II Cor. 1:23
23. Psa. 116:14; Isa. 19:21; Eccl. 5:4-5
24. Joel 2:12; Est. 4:16; Matt. 9:15; Acts 14:23
25. Exod. 15:1-21; Psa. 107:1-43; Neh. 12:27-43; Est. 9:20-22
26. Heb. 12:28.

Back to
Puritan Worship

An Essay on Psalmody
by Dr. William Romaine

The Psalms: the Divinely Authorized
and Exclusive Manual of Praise
by Dr. W.I. Wishart

A Catechism
on Praise
by Rev. A. Blaikie

The Singing of
Praise a Duty
by Rev. W.B. Smiley

John Calvin's
Preface to the Genevan Psalter

The Psalter in the Early Church
by The Rev. Jas. Harper

Puritan Worship
By Dr. William Young

Offsite Articles:

The Scottish Metrical Psalter

A Brief Examination of Exclusive Psalmody, by Brian Schwertley

The Singing of Psalms in the Worship of God,
by G. I. Williamson

Psalmody Objections Answered: Paraphrases.
By Richard Bacon

The Psalm Singer "Can" Sing the Name of Jesus.
By Richard Bacon

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs
by Richard Bacon

Worship Song Regulated by Scripture
by Richard Bacon

Exclusive Psalmody FAQ

Hints for Psalm Singing

Psalms or Hymns in Public Worship
by Rev. H. M. Cartwright

New Songs of Zion?
by Michael Bushell

Psalm Singing Remembered

The Westminster Directory for Public Worship and the Lining of the Psalms.
by Chris Coldwell

Psalm Singing: A Reformed Heritage
by Rev. J. Kortering

The OPC Minority Report on Psalmody
by John Murray

Are the Psalms really appropriate for New Testament worship?,
by H. Leverne Rosenberger

Christ in the Psalms,
E. S. McKitrick

Singing of Psalms, by Rev. Sherman Isbell