How often have you heard a parent say: "I'm so worried Jenny/Johnny is hanging out with a bad crowd"? Well, it's a parent's job to watch out for their offspring. But often, there's more to the story. Jenny rolls her eyes and fights back. Johnny goes below the radar. Parents resist the latest social trends. … Continue reading Psalm 1, 16 May 21

God will judge the world with righteousness,    and the peoples with equity. (v. 9) This psalm calls people to sing a new song. It is far from an isolated offhand comment. The same invitation is made in other psalms, including 33, 96, 144 and 149. Sometimes when turning to what we sang last time, the choice … Continue reading Psalm 98, 9 May 21

The reading this Sunday starts at verse 25, thus skipping the early verses with their dark sense of abandonment and consequent association with Good Friday. (See main page Psalm 22: Forsaken?) Here, the psalmist sings a hymn of praise to a powerful and just God who, ultimately, rules over the nations despite indications to the contrary. … Continue reading Psalm 22, 2 May 21

What more can be said about this favourite psalm that promises quiet waters and an overflowing cup? Many composers have been drawn to its lyrical beauty. CPDL lists around 70 early and classical compositions in various languages, but more recent popular settings are just as numerous. The list below is a small selection of composers … Continue reading Psalm 23, 25 April 21

Little proof is needed that the psalms were written as songs, and benefit immensely from the sweet meeting of poetry and music. Here it is anyway. This psalm's sub-title advises the leader (for the first time in the Psalter in fact): 'With stringed instruments.' Interval at an early music concert, a mass by Orazio Vecchi … Continue reading Psalm 4, 18 Apr 21

Here it is in its short and sweet entirety, under the headingThe Blessedness of Unity. A Song of Ascents. 1 How very good and pleasant it is    when kindred live together in unity!2 It is like the precious oil on the head,    running down upon the beard,on the beard of Aaron,    running down over the collar of his robes.3 It is … Continue reading Psalm 133, 11 April 21

Happy Easter to all readers. By the way, if you thought 2020 went by slowly, here we are in April 2021 already and somehow, the previous entry on Good Friday was Psalms in the South post #450. How did that happen? The first notes of 'Terra tremuit' by William Byrd, quoting Psalm 114:7; 'Tremble O … Continue reading Psalm 114 or 118, Easter 4 Mar 21

Good Friday is traditionally and appropriately a minimalist quiet moment of reflection. This psalm text, a harbinger of the dark moments in the story of Jesus, captures the mood perfectly. It seems permanently consigned to this ritual by virtue of Jesus’ quoting it on the cross: ‘Why have you forsaken me?’ Then also the predictions: … Continue reading Psalm 22, Good Friday 2 Apr 21