Psalms 89 or 23 … or maybe 139, 19Jul15

The Vanderbilt Divinity Library tells us:

During the Season after Pentecost, the Revised Common Lectionary offers two sets of parallel readings:

• The first set of “semicontinuous” OT readings follows major stories/themes, beginning in Year A with Genesis and ending in Year C with the later prophets.
• “Complementary” OT readings follow the historical tradition of thematically pairing the OT reading with the Gospel reading.

… The psalms for each Sunday after Pentecost are intended to paired with a particular OT reading (either semicontinuous or complementary).

It’s not often that we hesitate about the alternative readings. Leaders normally choose the first mentioned and away we go.

This week, however, we are pleased at the prospect of another Taizé service. So, rushing off to the Taizé web pages, we search in vain for direct reference to either psalm for the week. Jacques Berthier specialised in catching hold of one verse or just a phrase of a  few words as a meditation, relishing its every nuance by musical creativity and inspiration.

Choices, choices

There are three options: use any appropriate refrain, make one up, or just enjoy a different psalm.

In for a penny, we are preparing for all three options. First, we shall sing a different yet favourite song, Psalm 139, just the opening and closing verses; secondly, we could use a well-known chant like Bless the Lord my soul as refrain. However, here is a new home-grown choice drawing upon verses 1 and 2:

All SINGERS WELCOMED