How To Incorporate Singing The Psalms In Your Homeschool

Incorporating singing the Psalms into your homeschool can be a profoundly enriching experience, both spiritually and educationally. I had the privilege of interviewing an expert, Amy Sloan, who is a blogger and podcaster at Humility and Doxology, in the latest episode of the “Music in Our Homeschool” podcast. Singing the Psalms can bring the Word of God to life in a unique and memorable way. Here’s a guide on how to get started.

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.

1. Understand the Value of Singing the Psalms

Before diving into the practical steps, it’s important to grasp why singing the Psalms can be beneficial for your homeschool. Amy Sloan articulates several key points:

• Emotional Expression: The Psalms cover the whole gamut of human emotions, providing a biblical way to express joy, sorrow, despair, and hope.
• Spiritual Growth: Singing God’s Word back to Him helps deepen spiritual life and understanding.
• Memorization: Music is a powerful mnemonic device, making it easier for children (and adults) to memorize scripture.
• Biblical Literacy: Through the Psalms, children learn to recognize themes that point to Jesus and the greater narrative of redemption.

2. Start with What You Know

Amy suggests beginning with hymn tunes for Psalms that are already familiar to your family before learning new ones. Many traditional hymn tunes can be paired with the metrical versions of the Psalms. This approach eases the transition from familiar hymns to singing the Psalms.

3. Utilize Available Resources

You don’t need to be a musical expert to get started. Many resources are designed to help families integrate Psalm singing into their routines:

• Psalters: These are specific hymnals containing the Psalms set to melodies. Amy recommends the “Trinity Psalter Hymnal” and “The Book of Psalms for Singing.”
• Online Tools: Websites like Hymnary.org provide access to many metrical Psalms and even offer the ability to play tunes online for learning.
• Books for Understanding: Wonder Full by Marty Machowski is a recommended resource that delves into the themes of each Psalm, offering a summary and connections to the greater biblical narrative.
• What Every Child Should Know About the Bible (+ free printable): Find this incredible resource here:

4. Set Realistic Goals

Depending on your family’s familiarity with the Psalms, set achievable goals:

• Daily Family Devotions: Integrate a Psalm into your daily or weekly family devotions. Start with Psalm 1 and progress sequentially through the Psalter. Learn more about how to do Family Devotions here.
• Focused Learning: Spend an extended period, such as a week or a month, on a single Psalm. This reinforces learning and helps with memorization.
• Sing Acapella: If instrumental accompaniment is challenging, singing acapella is a beautiful and effective way to engage with the Psalms and to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

5. Make it a Family Project

Involving the whole family not only makes the activity inclusive but also enhances the overall experience:

• Learn Together: Use family time to learn new tunes and and even voice parts if that’s not too difficult.
• Shared Experiences: Create meaningful connections by singing Psalms during various family activities, such as road trips or even during household chores!

6. Celebrate the Outcome

The beauty of incorporating Psalm singing into your homeschool is multifaceted:

• Spiritual Enrichment: Witness the deepening of your family’s spiritual life as you engage with the Word of God through music.
• Empowered Worship: Experience the joy of participating in a form of worship that has been practiced by God’s people since ancient times.
• Memorization and Understanding: Enjoy the benefits of having chunks of scripture memorized, providing comfort and guidance in various situations.

Conclusion of Singing the Psalms in Your Homeschool

In conclusion, incorporating singing the Psalms into your homeschool doesn’t require extensive musical knowledge, just a willingness to explore and engage with these timeless pieces of scripture. Start small, use available resources, and build this practice into a treasured family tradition that supports both spiritual and educational growth.

Be sure to check out Amy Sloan’s podcast Homeschool Conversations with Humility and Doxology here. Her YouTube channel is here.

Happy Psalm singing! If you already sing Psalms or have given it a try after reading today’s post, leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you.

See the YouTube Video “What Happens When You Start Singing the Psalms in your Homeschool?” here:

Listen to the Podcast Episode 38: Singing the Psalms in your Homeschool: An Interview with Amy Sloan of Humility and Doxology:

Listen here or subscribe and follow The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast through your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Read the Podcast Transcript here.

Related Posts:

• How to Use Hymns to Teach Truth and Doctrine
• Music and Poetry: “Hymns and Creeds” New Literature Guide from 7 Sisters Homeschool
• The 10 Best Bible Songs for Kids
• A Free Music Lesson about Hymn Writers Watts, Wesley, Newton, and Billings