Canon XVII.
Psalms are not to be joined
together in the congregations, but a lesson shall intervene after every
psalm.
Notes.
In time of service lessons shall be interspersed with
the Psalms.
It was well to separate the Psalms by lessons when the
congregation was gathered in church, and not to keep them continuously
singing unbroken psalmody, lest those who had assembled might become
careless through weariness.
This was an ancient custom which has been laid aside
since the new order of ecclesiastical matters has been
instituted.
Here it may be remarked we find the real reason why in
our present rite, the lections, verses, etc., of the nocturns are
placed between the Psalms, so as to repel weariness.