As announced in my 500th blog post, after ten years of writings on the music of the psalms, weekly comments on the coming Lectionary psalm selection have given way to a more static compendium of selective thoughts on the music of the psalms. To read about a particular psalm, here are your two easiest options: … Continue reading Welcome

This psalm offers encouragement in difficult times -- and we certainly have our share of those. The psalmist skilfully weaves together two powerful and apposite threads. Image: Libby O'Loghlin First is the imagery of light, and our need for beauty and goodness. Calling to mind references to the ‘light of the world’ (John 8:12) and … Continue reading Psalm 27, 13 Mar 22

11 For he will command his angels concerning you    to guard you in all your ways.12 On their hands they will bear you up,    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. So there it is, the taunt from 'The Devil', who or whatever that was, to Jesus in the wilderness. "Jump; you'll be fine!" (Luke … Continue reading Psalm 91, 6 March 22

‘O mighty ruler, lover of justice, you have established equity.’ (4) Psalm 99 is worth waiting for. The verse quoted with its key words of ‘justice’ and ‘equity’ was the ringing statement at the heart of writing this web-site and blog. Justice and equity are pillars of creation, a fundamental element of the blueprint, and of … Continue reading Psalm 99, 27 Feb 22

Psalm 150 in a decoration on a positive organ, Berlin Museum of Musical Instruments The poet C J Dennis asked "What's in a name?" declaring that a rose by any other name is just as sweet. So we might also ask, as we reach the 500th post, what's in a number? A little more than … Continue reading 150 psalms; a 500th post

‘Though you are high, you care for the lowly.’ (6) Verse 1 in this psalm of praise imagines God sitting supreme in the company of other gods and lesser heavenly beings. Literal or figurative, this sketch has the potential for a “head-of-a-pin” side track discussion about angels and gods. Not my thing. So concentrate on the … Continue reading Psalm 138, 6 Feb 21

‘In your righteousness set me free’ (2) Girl with lyre, Adolf von Hildebrand, c.1910. Alte National Gallery Berlin This psalm touches many of the common ideas sprinkled throughout the psalter; the essential goodness and caring nature of the creator, the rock, the strong fortress; the psalmist seeking succour ‘out of the depths’ of harsh experience; assurance … Continue reading Psalm 71, 30 Jan 22

Psalm 19 starts in an affirmative frame of mind. As we read on, phrases resonate in our experience and memories. Anyone who has sung Handel’s The Messiah will certainly recognise ‘Their sound is gone out‘ and have the tune of that chorus in mind (an exciting sing — even if it sometimes feels a little like practising your … Continue reading Psalm 19, 23 Jan ’22

‘Your justice like the great deep.’ (6) The Lectionary chooses the middle section of Psalm 36 which rejoices in love and justice. It omits the first four verses. One can see why but let us look briefly at that absent opening section. There is a voice of rebellion deep in the hearts of the wicked. (1) … Continue reading Psalm 36, 16 Jan 22

The voice of God is a constant and powerful theme in this psalm — thundering over the mighty waters, shaking the wilderness, breaking cedars or flashing forth in flames. True of any era, but the present pattern of wild weather as a result of climate change comes immediately to mind. The psalmist (said to be David) assures … Continue reading Psalm 29, 9 Jan 22