We are familiar with Psalm 31 from Palm Sunday, although this time we read the first 5 verses and a little more in mid-psalm. This is a rich psalm, if that's not too trite a thing to say about the deep artistry and imagery of all of these songs. It combines feelings of confidence and security together … Continue reading Psalm 31, 18 May 14
Psalm 23, 11 May 14
The 'Shepherd Psalm' needs no introduction or commentary here, so none is offered. If you have the vague feeling that you have read that somewhere previously, it's just the post for 30 March, unashamedly copied almost holus-bolus. Music You may imagine this psalm to be irrevocably associated with Jessie Irving's famous tune CRIMOND. This week however, not the … Continue reading Psalm 23, 11 May 14
Psalm 116, 2 and 4 May 14
Just add a century from No 16 last week. Skipping over a whole hundred psalms! Amazing - and there are 50 more if you do not count that old No 151. Such a rich treasury of imagery, inspiration, prayer, encouragement and song. Psalm 116, like 30 and others, is a paean of thanks for deliverance … Continue reading Psalm 116, 2 and 4 May 14
Psalm 16, 27 April 14
Like the twenty-third, this is a psalm of trust and rest in divine presence, the source of goodness and guidance. The description of God as the psalmist's portion and cup evoke familiar imagery in themes that connect not only with Christian ritual but daily life. Less familiar but interesting is the image in verse 6: The boundary lines have … Continue reading Psalm 16, 27 April 14
Psalm 118 again, 20 Apr 14
Allelujah Revisiting psalm 118 on Easter Sunday we recall, but will not sing again, the tune of last week, 'This is the day, we will rejoice'. Indeed a day of rejoicing, festival and hallelujahs. (Like the ones above? No we won't sing those; and you may have noticed the illustration for the Arvo Pärt Berliner Messe … Continue reading Psalm 118 again, 20 Apr 14
Psalm 22, 18 April 14
Good Friday is traditionally and appropriately a minimalist quiet moment of reflection. As we saw last Sunday this psalm text, a harbinger of the dark moments in the story of Jesus, captures the mood perfectly. The setting will be that by Christopher Willcock in Together in Song No 9. Psalm South Singers: there's some nice harmonies in the … Continue reading Psalm 22, 18 April 14
Psalm 31, 13 April 14
You may have noticed that there are actually two psalms listed for Palm Sunday, the liturgies of the palms and that of the passion. A few days ago I posted on palms and Psalm 118 for this Sunday - but there's no rule against a double-dip. So we shall also enjoy Psalm 31, singing a response from Psalms … Continue reading Psalm 31, 13 April 14
Pärt and Psalm 100, 17 April 14
For those interested in sacred songs that you will probably never hear at South Woden, The Oriana Chorale will sing music of some interest at Wesley Uniting Church on Thursday 17th April ('Maundy' or Holy Thursday) at 7:00 pm. Their notice says: The principal work will be Arvo Pärt’s 1990 Berlin Mass. The sections of the Mass … Continue reading Pärt and Psalm 100, 17 April 14
CIMF helpers
May is the month for the Canberra International Music Festival, with an extensive program of musical events. Several of our regular singers will be performing in at least one event (think Brahms, not psalms). Details are available at cimf.org.au. Each year many highly talented and accomplished musicians come to Canberra from far and wide to make … Continue reading CIMF helpers
Psalm 118, 13 Apr 14 – Palms
An educational sign in the new Red Garden of our wonderful National Botanic Gardens tells us they are not sure if palms growing in remote corners of the Kimberley, like those depicted here, were native to Australia or imported with aboriginal people many thousands of years ago. Apparently there's 'some debate' about it. On the other hand, another sign only … Continue reading Psalm 118, 13 Apr 14 – Palms
Psalms in the South 