As is typically the case with new liturgical resources, trials are run to gather feedback about the proposed work. The Psalms Advisory Committee is overseeing this process and the first trial will run in 2025 for 7 weeks starting on Trinity Sunday. Matthew is preparing translations for the 10 psalms used in these 7 weeks, as per the table below.
Churches, schools and ministry centres across Australia are invited to participate in the trial, by using the Anstey Psalter psalms in place of their usual psalm, in accord with the licence agreement.
Congregations are encouraged to use the psalms in the way they normally do – reading out loud, or reading antiphonally, reading with a sung response, chanting, and so forth, and if they have a choir, they are welcome to trial the original musical compositions composed for the Anstey Psalter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Bishop know about this trial?
Yes. Clive Rodger (chair of the Anstey Psalter project) has written to all diocesan bishops about the trial, providing information and inviting them to encourage their parishes to use them. So you can contact your bishop about the trial if you wish.
Can I participate in the trial as an individual?
Yes - as long as your church is participating. The licence allows private and group use of the psalms during the trial, so ask your priest to register your congregation, and then you will be able to receive copies of the psalms from them, when they become available.
Can we freely use the psalms in public worship?
Yes. Discretion to use different psalm translations specifically falls within the provision of General Note #9 (p. x) of A Prayer Book of Australia:
“Versions of the Psalms other than those printed in this book may be used with the services of this book, subject to copyright provisions”.
Such discretion also falls within the provisions of The Canon Concerning Services 2017, for dioceses that have adopted this Canon.
Can we use the psalms in Live-streams?
Yes. The licence allows for the use of the psalms in live-stream services. Matthew’s own church, St Theodore’s Toorak Gardens will be doing this in fact.
Do we have to include a copyright notice?
Yes. The licence stipulates that you must include this statement: “Copyright © Matthew P. Anstey. All rights reserved. These psalms are being trialled and we invite you to submit feedback online at www.ansteypsalter.com”. And if you use the musical compositions provided, you must also include “Copyright © Richard Black”.
Can we provide feedback on the translations?
Yes. A key aspect of the trial is the gathering of feedback from across Australia. The Committee will review this feedback on Matthew’s behalf to condense it into key points, which will then inform future revisions and translations. You can provide feedback here (link to be added before the trial starts).
Is Matthew planning to translate all 150 Psalms?
Yes. It is estimated that the project will take 5-6 years to complete. About 25 Psalms have been completed to date.