Psalm 51 is such a towering and famous peak in the landscape of the history of the psalms. A quick look at the choral online directory CPDL gives you the picture -- I haven't counted how many entries appear on that Psalm 51 page. One hundred? Second on the list is that famous Miserere mei … Continue reading Psalm 51, 1 Aug 21

This psalm is almost identical to Psalm 53. It laments the loss of faith in divine rule, with associated corruption and oppression. The opening verse strikes the tone: Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. However, the song concludes … Continue reading Psalm 14, 25 July 2021

No committees here. This psalm, like many others, focuses the spotlight on the responsibilities of rulers -- OK, in those days they were all kings -- not only the mortal kind but divine rule as well. Unlike the Greek gods, who were often imagined as having a foot in both human and heavenly camps, many … Continue reading Psalm 89, 18 July 21

Psalm 24 appears to be a gradual or entrance song, as the people ascend to the ‘hill of God’. It opens by declaring divine ownership of the creation, then asks who then can enter holy places? Domini est terra, et plenitudo ejus (The earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is); Verse 1 of … Continue reading Psalm 24, 11 July 2021

Ascents come in many shapes and sizes, while varied terrain may bring surprises. Last Sunday's Psalm 130 was introduced as a Song of Ascent, characterised by brevity and a clear positive message. Here is Psalm 123, the fourth of the Songs of Ascent (120 to 134). It fits happily into that pattern, short and clear, … Continue reading Psalm 123, 4 July 2021

This song of ascent (Psalms 120 to 134), 130 is also the sixth of seven penitential psalms. The inspirational idea of ascent might capture the imagination more powerfully and positively than that of penitence. That depends on the readers' needs at the time. In Psalm 130 we hear the familiar cry: Out of the depths I … Continue reading Psalm 130, 27 June 21

https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/ As a coda to the post last week on this psalm, a week ahead of schedule, we note that the psalm arrives at the beginning of Refugee Week in Australia. Each year a theme is chosen, this year's being Unity. Psalm 9 is not obviously a call for attention to the painful plight of … Continue reading Psalm 9, Refugee Week

This is a rich song. Opening with a confident claim that divine assistance is assured in time of trouble, David goes on to pray for blessings and prosperity. In the original setting, it seems to have been addressed to the king, seeking that God would 'fulfil all your plans'. (4) The Psalms make frequent references … Continue reading Psalm 20, 13 June 21

The Revised Common Liturgy picks up Psalm 9 at verse 9, after David's confident declaration of thanks for not only personal success but for the power of the 'Most High'. The praise continues throughout the reading, to the modern ear verging on triumphalism. A strong sense of 'us and them', the goodies and the baddies, … Continue reading Psalm 9, 20 June 21

King David playing the harp, in an early manuscript held in Zürich; Swiss digitised collection, VC1220. David, or whoever wrote this song, is obviously feeling quite chipper in Psalm 138. He or she will praise 'with my whole heart', bowing to the holy temple and confident that his or her calls are heard: 3 On … Continue reading Psalm 138, 6 June 2021