Psalm 104, 18 Oct 15

Here you have classic arm-waving poetry, the poet overcome by the glory and power of the creation — and Creator. His or her feelings are quite infectious:

Bless God, O my soul. O my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers. (Ps. 104:1-4)

it’s enough to make you wave your arms around.

Dawn
This view, which has been greeting us at dawn from our rooms recently (a much-loved aspect)  immediately came to mind — though no photograph can capture the imagery of this song. It’s Mont Ventoux, much bigger than it looks from a respectful distance; but you will have your own mountain, waters, light and winds in mind.

Music

Taking my own advice in the sticky post, I note that I have suggested that the settings in The emergent psalter, Psalms for all seasons and the New century hymnal are all suitable.

If you choose No 65 from TiS you should use the lectionary verses rather than the selection in the book. (There is a cantor sheet on our Dropbox library folder).

Ps 104 cantors 22Sep13 WIP_html_54be5d52And just for interest, we have in years gone by used a Gregorian chant (no 8) for this psalm, again with different verses, to accompany a Hildegard song, complete with that marvellously atmospheric hurdy gurdy.

Hurdy-gurdy

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