Solstice in the south The shortest (and longest) day has just passed (as has the Solstice reference at South Woden last Sunday -- but here are a couple more ideas anyway.) It's cold in Canberra but from now on, those dark evenings will gradually lighten. Previously at the Solstice we have picked up a common … Continue reading Psalm 77 again, Solstice
Psalms 76, 77, 26 June 16
Psalm 76 makes a strong plea for a peaceable world where divine power and justice are the forces to be revered. In the city of God: ... God broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword and the weapons of war ... none of the warriors can lift a hand. (v.3, 5) Just as we saw … Continue reading Psalms 76, 77, 26 June 16
Psalms 42, 43, 19 June 16
Australians, at least those who live or travel anywhere near the open dry spaces of this continent, know what thirst is all about. Indigenous plants and animals evolved to survive through hot summers and droughts. Aboriginal people were expert at finding water in dry creek beds, trees and grasses. For Sooner or later in a … Continue reading Psalms 42, 43, 19 June 16
Psalm 5; 12 June 16
Recognise this? Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety. It's a paraphrase of Psalm 5:8 by Samuel Wesley, sometimes used as a short sung prayer. Both words and tune are compelling, although in … Continue reading Psalm 5; 12 June 16
Crystal Ball, June-July 2016
Best laid plans, bare of commentary on musical options and based on the leader choosing the first reading listed in the lectionary, are as follows: 5 June: PFAS 146B, with Taizé refrain and first tone. 12 June: PFAS 5B (or 5C if the right singers are available) 19 June: Psalms 42-43, use song-sheet on Dropbox library to … Continue reading Crystal Ball, June-July 2016
Psalm 146, 5 June 2016
An article in the local paper today tells me that polls -- in Australia at least, though I do not doubt that readers in other countries will nod in agreement -- are revealing a loss of confidence in governance. Part of that is due to perceived weaknesses in both national leaders and opposing aspirants. People are, in this … Continue reading Psalm 146, 5 June 2016
Psalms 87, 88
Here are a couple of very contrasting songs: one looking out happily to 'Zion'; the other lamenting, no silver lining. Both are 'skips' in the Lectionary but should not be ignored -- and indeed are not by those traditions that regularly sing all of the psalms within a short period of a month or so. Psalm 87 Glorious … Continue reading Psalms 87, 88
Psalms 96, 13, 29 May 2016
Psalm 96 is another call by the psalm songster to sing, yet again, a new song. Trouble is (quite apart from the fact the we are not actually singing the set psalm 96 this week) we actually like the old songs best. You remember words and tunes you learned as a young person, while other more … Continue reading Psalms 96, 13, 29 May 2016
Psalms 74, 75
Book 3, as mentioned previously, is the home of the songs of the musician Asaph. His first five are not included in the lectionary, the next five are. Psalm 74 Psalms for all seasons offers but one setting, the well-known O come, Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL 88.88 with refrain). This is an interesting choice, since it uses … Continue reading Psalms 74, 75
Victoria’s Requiem, 28 May 2016
Acclaimed early music performer Jordi Savall once wrote: Culture, art, and especially music, are the foundation of an education that allows us to realize ourselves personally and at the same time, be present as a cultural entity, in an increasingly globalized world. I am deeply convinced that art is useful to society, contributing to the education of … Continue reading Victoria’s Requiem, 28 May 2016
Psalms in the South 