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
Psalm 99, 19 October
The heading here might be 'Praise to a holy God'. To me, however, the key words in this psalm are justice and equity which were, it seems from a close reading of this psalm, a fundamental element of the creation. This powerful message is well worth repeating as a response to the verses of the psalm … Continue reading Psalm 99, 19 October
Psalm 106, 12 Oct 14
Psalm 106 is related to the previous one, 105, about which we heard and sang much in recent weeks. The story of Exodus is again rehearsed in this psalm at some length but with a stronger flavour of an awareness of human weakness. The shorter lectionary reading is here -- and you might have to read it yourself … Continue reading Psalm 106, 12 Oct 14
Psalm 19, 5 October 2014
Psalm 19 declares the glory of the divine as seen in the creation, then moves to the importance of divine revelation ('the law'). However, there are so many familiar yet dense phrases in this broad-ranging and interesting psalm that it's not quite fair to pick just a couple of central themes. Read the text here >> … Continue reading Psalm 19, 5 October 2014
Front fencing 2: more psalms
Front fencing was introduced and explained in a previous post. It's time to raise the bar. Psalm references leap out at the passer-by from a cluttered scenery when easily identified. When hidden in a different language and script it gets a little harder. The example on the positive organ used last week was easy. German, Latin, … Continue reading Front fencing 2: more psalms
Psalm 78, 28 September 2014
This long psalm of Asaph in 72 verses covers many of the high points in the Torah, including the plagues and the exodus, later trials and the calling of King David. We just had some of that a couple of weeks ago in Psalm 114 on the 14th but they are great tales and, as I wrote … Continue reading Psalm 78, 28 September 2014
Front fencing 1: psalms
Do you have any of those silly little shorthand sayings specific to family usage? Maintained against all linguistic logic by constant use, amused reference or stories at the dinner table, these apparently inappropriate phrases or words have a very specific and useful meaning that is quite obscure to those outside the immediate family. One of ours was … Continue reading Front fencing 1: psalms
Psalms in the South 