If you read last week's entry on Psalm 106 you will know that, for this author, justice and equity are foundational themes, if not prominent ones, in this psalm and many others. As in 106, the psalmist in the first few lines declares the greatness and goodness of the divine creative spirit. Then Psalm 99 … Continue reading Psalm 99, 18 Oct ’20
Psalm 106, 11 Oct ’20
Without sounding too much like a cracked record, I must record that justice and equity as ideals and goals for both communities and individuals are major take-aways from Psalm 106, as well as 99 listed for the following Sunday. It only takes a few lines of this psalm before the word 'justice' leaps out of … Continue reading Psalm 106, 11 Oct ’20
Psalm 19, 4 Oct ’20
All you dear friends who have sung with our Psalm Singers in the South or with The Gospel Folk in Canberra will recall the energy and joy of uniting in The rivers of Babylon, a song made famous by The Melodions and Bob Marley. This is a driving reggae version which includes the refrain: Let … Continue reading Psalm 19, 4 Oct ’20
Psalm 78, 27 Sep 20
This song continues the theme of the Exodus, the Hebrews escaping from slavery and refugee status into a wilderness experience on the way to a promised land. Again, the parting of the waters of the Red Sea and the provision of manna and water in the desert are taken as a parable from which, if … Continue reading Psalm 78, 27 Sep 20
Psalm 105(4); 20 Sep 20
Four readings of Psalm 105 over the last two months have left us in no doubt as to the allegorical importance of the Hebrew tales of exile into Egypt, their harsh experience as refugees, and finally the miraculous pursuit and escape across the Red Sea. In the final section included in this fourth and last … Continue reading Psalm 105(4); 20 Sep 20
Psalm 114, 13 Sep 20
Whoever chose Psalm 114 for the Lectionary for Easter must have been serious about it. It is the one and only psalm set for both Easter Sunday and Easter vigil services in all three years of the cycle. Why? This poem is all about the Exodus, the release from slavery in Egypt, and the transit … Continue reading Psalm 114, 13 Sep 20
Psalm 149, 6 Sep 2019
‘God takes pleasure in people.’ (4) This is the penultimate psalm in the book, short and bitter-sweet. Four verses of praise, singing and dancing, including the important statement of love quoted above; four verses of wreaking vengeance on enemies; and in the middle, it appears, a good lie down! Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; … Continue reading Psalm 149, 6 Sep 2019
Crystal ball, Sep-Oct 20
As social distancing continues, music selections remain focussed on easy and inspiring listening at home. The original advisory task of this blog -- informing our merry band of Singers in the South Woden Uniting Church of the choice for the next happy, sometimes ragged but enjoyable sing together -- is still out of reach. Patience, … Continue reading Crystal ball, Sep-Oct 20
Psalm 105(3), 30 August 2020
In this third occurrence of Psalm 105, after the first six verses we then move on to hear the experiences of Jacob and the descendants of Abraham as slaves and refugees in Egypt. 23 Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham. 24 And the Lord made his people very fruitful, and … Continue reading Psalm 105(3), 30 August 2020
Psalm 124, 23 August 2020
If God be for us, who can be against us? A song of ascent This well-known verse is found not in the psalms but in Romans 8:31. It contains the same message as Psalm 124, and in particular the last verse which has become a standard line in many liturgies: Our help is in the name of … Continue reading Psalm 124, 23 August 2020
