Back story After too long away from the singing of the psalms at SWUC, most recently in Brisbane, your cantor / webmaster returns to his appointed place of duty at last. The recent visit to Brisbane is worth a short report as we attended a choral eucharist service at St John's Anglican cathedral in Brisbane, … Continue reading Psalm 111, 19 Aug ’18

This psalm is another song of ascent (psalms 120 to 134). It’s also the sixth of seven penitential psalms. The song is a statement of the mystery not only of the human condition, with all its faults and frustrations, but also of our access to grace. The psalm asks for forgiveness and redemption for Israel, though in modern context it … Continue reading Psalm 130, 12 Aug ’18

This psalm has been much sung and much quoted over the centuries. Many wonderful renaissance settings by Byrd, Lassus, Victoria ... all the big names and then some*. Old hands may remember the lines in the BCP: "O Lord open thou our lips; and our mouths shall show forth thy praise." [v.15. I remember chanting … Continue reading Psalm 51, 5 Aug ’18

Many of the psalms are quite dark. Psalm 13 is memorable for the cry: "How long (must I wait)?" This next Psalm 14, is a despairing plea -- that things are falling apart, there is no God, no-one does any good --  surely another soul-felt expression of grief at the state of the world, whether … Continue reading Psalm 14, 29 Jul 18

Psalm 145, the alternative reading for this week, is the last of the many songs attributed to David, and the first of a closing bracket of six songs of praise. The central theme is the ultimate sovereignty of God. However, each time the psalm appears in the Lectionary – five times in all but mostly … Continue reading Psalm 145, 29 July 2018

This final song in book III is a long one, stretching to 52 verses. Themes shift from praise for divine love and creativity through to an iteration of a covenant protection then finally a lament that time is short; how long must the singer wait for mercy? The strong theme of justice frequently emerging throughout … Continue reading Psalm 89, 22 July 2018

Psalm 24 appears to be a gradual or entrance song, as the people ascend to the 'hill of God'. It opens by declaring divine ownership of the creation, then asks who then can enter the holy places? The answer, of course, is "those with clean hands and a pure in heart", whatever that might imply. … Continue reading Psalm 24, 15 July 2018

This song of the Korahites is another royal moment, with Zion and the holy hill "the very centre of the world". (2) In modern times, this is generally regarded as a non-geographic metaphor. (See also comments made in Psalm 47 regarding 'sponsorship'.) As has been noted in relation to other songs wherein the psalmists long for the … Continue reading Psalm 48, 8 July ’18

Whales playing off Bribie Island This psalm is another song of ascent (psalms 120 to 134). It’s also the sixth of seven penitential psalms. The song is a statement of the mystery not only of the human condition, with all its faults and frustrations, but also of our access to grace. The psalm asks for forgiveness and redemption for Israel, … Continue reading Psalm 130, 1 July 18