How good and how pleasant it is when kindred live together in harmony. That’s it, folks; the message of this psalm in a nutshell -- or as an immigrant friend used to say unawares: “... in a nutcase.” Like most of the psalms of ascent, it’s short and sweet. There are a couple of images … Continue reading Psalm 133, 20 Aug 17
Psalm 145, 6 Aug 17
For comment on the primary psalm reading for this week, see a previous post on Psalm 17 Thank you so much to our male voice quintet who presented Psalm 105 last Sunday. What lovely sounds. We hear the same refrain, with different verses, in coming Sundays. Psalm 145, the alternative reading for this week, is … Continue reading Psalm 145, 6 Aug 17
Crystal ball Aug-Sep 2017
This 'sticky' post is for the information of South Woden readers. Warm the cold weather with a tuneful and harmonious setting of the chosen psalm on coming Sundays. Subject to the decisions of the worship leader of the day, here's Plan A: 6 Aug: We are going with the alternative reading, Psalm 145. While we … Continue reading Crystal ball Aug-Sep 2017
Psalm 105, 30 Jul 17
Psalm 105 is a song of praise, as indeed are 106 and 107 that follow. The opening lines sound familiar, as such phrases occur throughout the Bible: Confitemini Domino et invocate nomen ejus / Give glory to God, and call upon his name The next verse narrows the focus to set the theme as historical … Continue reading Psalm 105, 30 Jul 17
Psalm 139, 23 July 2017
What you see and what you think you see are not always the same thing. Is this an image of smoke-rings, a bicycle or a piece of post-modern art? Have you ever thought you knew someone well only to find out they have a very different side to them from that which you have known? This … Continue reading Psalm 139, 23 July 2017
Psalm 65
Thanksgiving, following a rich summer and autumn harvest, is quite an event in some countries. It is not observed as a holiday in this country down under. However, often in our autumnal season, April and May, a harvest festival of some sort graces church or home in appreciation of the richness of our world. Psalm … Continue reading Psalm 65
Psalm 119, 16 July 2017
Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. There is much to be said about this centre-piece psalm of the Bible. A fair bit has already been said -- just look at the many previous posts: Oct’13, Nov’13, Feb’14, Feb’14, Jul’14, Feb’17, Feb’17(2) This coming week's section Nun starts … Continue reading Psalm 119, 16 July 2017
Psalm 45, 9 July 2017
Psalm 45 is the closest we get to a love song in the Psalter. The poem by the sons of Korah is addressed first to the king, probably Solomon, then in a second voice to the bride. (v. 10) Hebrews 1 quotes a clutch of psalms, including in relation to Jesus verse 6 of Ps 45: … Continue reading Psalm 45, 9 July 2017
Psalm 13, 2 July 2017
A watched pot, so the saying goes, never boils. How frustrating is that seemingly interminable waiting -- for news, for decisions, for guidance or for inspiration. This Sunday we hear a simple but urgent lament in Psalm 13, in which the key question is ‘How long?' How long will that internal anxious silence last before an inkling … Continue reading Psalm 13, 2 July 2017
Psalm 86, Solstice
There’s no hint of it in the text of Psalm 86 but the Lectionary occasionally (Year A) trots this song out at around the time of the solstice. For those in 'the South', this is the winter solstice, shortest day in the southern hemisphere calendar. [Readers in the northern hemisphere might have to find a point of … Continue reading Psalm 86, Solstice
Psalms in the South 