For some recommendations on psalm selection (from a few limited sources) during September and October 2015, see the Notes for Leaders page>
Psalm 4, 19 April 2015
This psalm is full of angles. (I nearly typed 'angels' having in mind the fine crew of harmonisers singing psalm and song with me last week, thank you all; and now having just seen a tweet on a choir of angels) Each verse seems to switch to a new idea, like a train track with many splits … Continue reading Psalm 4, 19 April 2015
Psalm 133, 12 April 2015
A beautiful old Anglo-Saxon manuscript in the British Library from the 8th Century, shown above, records the psalms in Latin in an insular uncial script (capital letters) in common use around 700 CE. The British Library's description of this manuscript, titled Cotton MS Vespasian A 1, is simply: A Roman Psalter (‘The Vespasian Psalter’), including prefaces, canticles, … Continue reading Psalm 133, 12 April 2015
Psalm 118, Easter Sunday 5 Apr 15
Visitors to ancient cities like York enjoy discovering quaint and remote features: the Shambles; archaeological remains of successive eras under the cathedral; hidden misericordiae within, saints and gargoyles without. The Shambles area provides just a hint of the chaotic life in early times; narrow alleys, stalls, clamour, smells and all sorts of behaviour, seen and unseen. Fairness … Continue reading Psalm 118, Easter Sunday 5 Apr 15
Shadows and light
Recent speakers at South Woden have chosen the topics of light and water for their reflections. Meanwhile, during Lent we are conscious of the shadows and earth, complementary elements. We enjoyed last week a lovely setting of Psalm 51 by Lassus. our people are involved in all sorts of other musical contributions. We mention but … Continue reading Shadows and light
Psalm 31, 29 March 2015
Two psalms are listed for Palm Sunday, for the liturgies of the palms and of the passion. In recent years we have sung both; Psalm 118 on the way in and then Psalm 31 during the scripted service. This Sunday we confine our song to Psalm 31, with a response from Psalms for all seasons, no 31C. But reading … Continue reading Psalm 31, 29 March 2015
Crystal Ball, March – April 2015
No, I have not been flooded by your clamouring voices reminding me that the last prediction by the haruspex fails to extend its comforting knowledge of the musical delights we may anticipate after O frondens virga. Clearly this means everyone is reading the psalm selection plan on Dropbox, or else lurking in the wings to … Continue reading Crystal Ball, March – April 2015
Psalm 51, 22 March 2015
Completely side-stepping the set Psalm 107 last week (yes, and St Patrick's Day too although I did have a Celtic style song up my sleeve), we leapt forward to preview that well-used Psalm 51 that comes up this Sunday, Lent 5. Well-used it is; for centuries it has been sung during Lent particularly Ash Wednesday, Tenebrae services, and … Continue reading Psalm 51, 22 March 2015
Psalm 107 and 51, 15 March 2015
A scary story of serpents in the wilderness from Numbers in the previous lectionary reading is a good precursor to the psalm's theme of divine mercy experienced in time of stress. The selection from Psalm 107 invites the reader to be thankful for everlasting mercies. An additional dimension is added in the next reading: By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is … Continue reading Psalm 107 and 51, 15 March 2015
Antiphon by Hildegard, 8 March 2015
Hildegard of Bingen (1098 - 1179) shines as a beacon from the past, standing for the validity of a feminine voice and interpretation in a world where men wrote the rules and the history. Unlike many, Hildegard achieved a degree of recognition in her own times, and even more unusually left a significant body of work in thought, … Continue reading Antiphon by Hildegard, 8 March 2015
Psalms in the South 