Psalm 15 (text here>) this week, probably used as an entrance liturgy or gradual, asks who may dwell in God’s ‘tent’ or ‘holy hill’. The remaining verses provide a checklist of rather challenging qualifiers, from the grand ‘live blameless’ to the nitty gritty of ‘take no bribes’.
The challenge is really encouraging the reader continually to seek to connect with sources of divine presence and goodness.
A familiar refrain
Psalms for all seasons suggests a great gospel-influenced refrain that we have sung several times:
I’m gonna live so God can use me, anytime anywhere.
This refrain rounds up all those rather random dos and don’ts in the list of qualifiers into a much more positive general inclination for life – be available.
The psalm’s call and response structure, widely used in gospel music, fits in well with our approach. Let’s sing the verses to a 12-bar blues — remember Ben Myers’ take on this? The choice of style and refrain also supports Len as he leads us this week with something of a southern gospel theme emerging. He promises to bring much more than that.
BTW; the other set psalm this week is 45. We shall not sing that one; but one cannot help wonder what the skilled expositor might make of this delightful verse:
Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad (v.8)
Gloriously fragrant and resonant!
Other comments on Psalm 15 may be seen in an earlier post from early 2014. Local SWUC notes:
Note: This will be your Webmaster’s last psalm rendition before another extended absence, for which your indulgence is sought.
Please take the opportunity to assume leadership and sing a psalm or two.
See what beautiful songs you can bring to the South Woden family, perhaps for the first time you’ve sung like this. Compose your own tune, involve the children…
Some limited psalm selection ideas have again been posted up on the Leaders’ page for reference. A sticky post will follow soon to refer to that page. Consult by email if you wish to discuss options or ideas.
We look forward to spending time with family and friends overseas again, and of course to returning to the fold and good friendship in Canberra. There’s a male voice TTBB setting available on Dropbox for 15 Nov. Or a Lassus SATB if singers wish to set aside the date? If not, your call …
Psalms in the South 
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