Like other selections, the lectionary reading from Psalm 105 in this week’s return appearance repeats the first six verses (‘Sing praises’) then offers a later section that echoes the evolving tale from Genesis in the lectionary.
The second set of four verses this week briefly sketches the experiences of the children of Abraham going into Egypt, the animosity they met — and God’s answer:
God sent Moses, the servant, and Aaron the chosen. (v. 26)*
A psalm singer in the temple or perhaps by a campfire in early times would have rolled out this shorthand knowing that his audience would conjure up a host of stories and images relating to the era, the plagues, the Passover and the escape from Egypt. The song goes on to enumerate some of them but even so, the ‘answer’ is all the more striking: leaders right for the time.
Music
Our singers are not available for a return to the Psalm 105 motet Confitemini Domino by Roland de Lassus this week, but will present a reprise during September, probably Sunday 7th. The associated chant could still be used with the introit: ‘Invocate nomen Dei’ as sung previously (music and explanatory notes here>>).
Other settings in Psalms for all Seasons and The Emergent Psalter are useful, although the latter may take a little learning. In Together in song number 66 is relevant, and Lectionary Singer lists several other good songs, including TiS 755 You shall go out with joy.
Image: Wikimedia commons.
* You won’t find the above version of verse 26 in standard translations such as in the Bible Gateway, where the usual form is: ‘God sent Moses his servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen.’ This is another reason I like Isaac Everett‘s work. He give us the simple inclusive solution quoted.
Psalms in the South 
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