Trinity Hymnal
Encyclopedia
The Trinity Hymnal is a Christian
hymnal
written and compiled both by and for those from a Presbyterian
background. It has been released in two editions (both of which are used in churches today) and is published by Great Commission Publications.
A Baptist Edition also exists for the use of Reformed Baptist
congregations.
in 1961 as a hymnbook that would include traditional hymns as well as musical arrangements of the Psalms
suitable for Reformed
worship. The original Trinity Hymnal has a blue cover (and is therefore sometimes known as the "Blue Trinity Hymnal") and includes 730 songs, responsive readings of the Psalms (in the King James Version), and the Westminster Confession of Faith
and Shorter Catechism
as appendices.
, which had become a partner with the OPC in Great Commission Publications, began talking with the OPC about a revised hymnal. This revised version of the TH was released in 1990. The new TH (sometimes called the "Red Trinity Hymnal" since the original printings had a red cover) has 742 hymns, responsive readings of the Psalms (New International Version
), the Westminster Confession of Faith
and Shorter Catechism
, the Apostles' Creed
, and the Nicene Creed
. Many (but not all) hymns have had their language modernized, and some hymns were deleted from the original and some new ones were added. Most of the songs are traditional hymns or versified Psalms, but the new TH does include some more contemporary hymns as well. It is official (but not required) in the PCA and OPC, and is also approved by denominations such as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
.
were replaced with ones about believer's baptism
.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
hymnal
Hymnal
Hymnal or hymnary or hymnbook is a collection of hymns, i.e. religious songs, usually in the form of a book. The earliest hand-written hymnals are known since Middle Ages in the context of European Christianity...
written and compiled both by and for those from a Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
background. It has been released in two editions (both of which are used in churches today) and is published by Great Commission Publications.
A Baptist Edition also exists for the use of Reformed Baptist
Reformed Baptist
Reformed Baptists are Baptists that hold to a Calvinist soteriology. They can trace their history through the early modern Particular Baptists of England. The first Reformed Baptist church was formed in the 1630s...
congregations.
The 1961 Hymnal
The hymnal was originally compiled by the Orthodox Presbyterian ChurchOrthodox Presbyterian Church
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is a conservative Presbyterian denomination located primarily in the United States. It was founded by conservative members of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America who strongly objected to the pervasive Modernist theology during the 1930s . Led...
in 1961 as a hymnbook that would include traditional hymns as well as musical arrangements of the Psalms
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
suitable for Reformed
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
worship. The original Trinity Hymnal has a blue cover (and is therefore sometimes known as the "Blue Trinity Hymnal") and includes 730 songs, responsive readings of the Psalms (in the King James Version), and the Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
and Shorter Catechism
Westminster Shorter Catechism
The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in the 1640s by English and Scottish divines. The assembly also produced the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Larger Catechism...
as appendices.
The 1990 Hymnal
In the late 1980s, the young Presbyterian Church in AmericaPresbyterian Church in America
The Presbyterian Church in America is an evangelical Protestant Christian denomination, the second largest Presbyterian church body in the United States after the Presbyterian Church . The PCA professes a strong commitment to evangelism, missionary work, and Christian education...
, which had become a partner with the OPC in Great Commission Publications, began talking with the OPC about a revised hymnal. This revised version of the TH was released in 1990. The new TH (sometimes called the "Red Trinity Hymnal" since the original printings had a red cover) has 742 hymns, responsive readings of the Psalms (New International Version
New International Version
The New International Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible. Published by Zondervan in the United States and by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK, it has become one of the most popular modern translations in history.-History:...
), the Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
and Shorter Catechism
Westminster Shorter Catechism
The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in the 1640s by English and Scottish divines. The assembly also produced the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Larger Catechism...
, the Apostles' Creed
Apostles' Creed
The Apostles' Creed , sometimes titled Symbol of the Apostles, is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or "symbol"...
, and the Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
. Many (but not all) hymns have had their language modernized, and some hymns were deleted from the original and some new ones were added. Most of the songs are traditional hymns or versified Psalms, but the new TH does include some more contemporary hymns as well. It is official (but not required) in the PCA and OPC, and is also approved by denominations such as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church as it exists today is the remnant of a small denomination, which was formed from the Synod of the South, a division of the Associate Reformed Church...
.
The Baptist Edition
In 1996, the Trinity Hymnal (Baptist Edition) was published by Great Commission Publications. The Baptist edition was identical to the 1961 (Blue Trinity) hymnal, with a few exceptions related to doctrine. Hymns supporting infant baptismInfant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
were replaced with ones about believer's baptism
Believer's baptism
Believer's baptism is the Christian practice of baptism as this is understood by many Protestant churches, particularly those that descend from the Anabaptist tradition...
.