Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and … Continue reading Psalm 148, 28 Dec 14
Category: Psalms
Psalm 96, Christmas Day
In many churches, Psalm 96 is read on Christmas Eve, for example midnight mass, while the next two psalms are listed for the great day itself. Psalm 97 uses fiery image to proclaim God's sovereignty. Psalm 98 is a burst of joy: O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. ... All … Continue reading Psalm 96, Christmas Day
Psalm 126, 14 Dec 14
Sowing can be back-breaking work. If you are down in the dumps at the time, burdened by worries, tough conditions and long days, 'sowing in tears' as in this psalm, the harvest seems a doubtful and distant prospect. But this is one of the psalms of Ascent. So there's an inspiring promise there, one that … Continue reading Psalm 126, 14 Dec 14
Psalm 85, 7 December 2014
The first Australians have been conscious of and connected to the land in much stronger and deeper ways than more recent arrivals can comprehend or feel. Their livelihood was far more intimately bound up with their natural environment. Features in their traditional territorial landscapes have longstanding narrative and spiritual importance. Somehow, this atmosphere permeates Psalm 85. The first verses speak … Continue reading Psalm 85, 7 December 2014
Psalm 80, 30 November 2014
Restore us O God; let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved. This verse appears three times (vv 3, 7 and 19) as the psalmist makes a plea for divine intervention and restoration. Read last year's post for some further introductory notes. The text of the selection is here>. Music The people's … Continue reading Psalm 80, 30 November 2014
Psalm 100, 23 Nov 14
Psalm 100 simply invites us to be joyful and worship with glad singing (vv. 1, 2). A short psalm, it mingles declarations of faith with calls to: enter the gates with thanksgiving, and the courts with praise (v.4) The old ton(e) The Old Hundredth will no doubt come to mind for anyone over a certain age who grew … Continue reading Psalm 100, 23 Nov 14
Psalm 123, 16 Nov 2014
Ascent The songs of ascent have a particular fascination. They are short, if not always sweet. They have a message and it's economical. They challenge. I am compelled to include this photograph of a remote, lonely, steep, challenging ascent. (Our bush-walkers would love it.) The last time I used it was for the following Psalm … Continue reading Psalm 123, 16 Nov 2014
Psalm 78, 9 November 2014
Psalm 78 is a plea, a promise and a pledge to tell the old, old stories -- for those who went before us, for us, and for those who will follow. God ... appointed a law in Israel and commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and … Continue reading Psalm 78, 9 November 2014
Psalm 107, 2 Nov 14
On the last occasion that we sang Psalm 107 (August 2013) we introduced an enjoyable and interesting response in three parts from The emergent psalter. I can still hear those three parts weaving in and out. This year, the congruence of several random influences on the busy worship plan for the next few weeks (this week a … Continue reading Psalm 107, 2 Nov 14
Psalm 90, 26 October 2014
This Sunday we enjoy another visit by our good friends in The Gospel Folk ably led by stalwart friend, supporter and Psalm Team singer Brian. The energy and swing of Gospel singing will be most welcome. Hang on; for months I have been cooking up an arrangement of the set psalm, 90 (text here>), quite without reference … Continue reading Psalm 90, 26 October 2014
Psalms in the South 