The third Sunday in Advent (we are around to Year A again, by the way) brings us to the song of Mary, generally known by its Latin name (from the first line Magnificat anima mea Dominum) as the Magnificat. The text is in Luke 1: 46-55. Understandably, settings for this song abound. In our own song book alone, Together in song, … Continue reading Magnificat, 15 Dec 13
Psalm 72, 8 Dec 13
Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013. Image: Wikimedia commons Give the leader your justice O God. (v. 1) This psalm asks for the ruler to show justice, compassion and goodness to his people. Surely a common enough theme, but more poignant since we see how often rulers around the world are more interested in grasping power and its … Continue reading Psalm 72, 8 Dec 13
Psalms – a summary <140
The title reference to less than 140 is nothing to do with psalm numbering: it's short tweets. Thanks to Rachel for this fantastic RT from Ben Myers, who is summarising the books of the bible in a few words on Twitter. His take on the psalms: The invention of antiphony: when my heart broke in two, … Continue reading Psalms – a summary <140
Modernised chant
In a previous post I noted that this week we use a John Bell tune to sing Canticle 9 from Isaiah with the children. (The canticles sometimes replace or appear with the psalm set in the lectionary.) Anyone at all is welcome to join us to help us lead the 'Hallelujah for evermore' response. This … Continue reading Modernised chant
Psalm 98, 10 Nov 13
It's easy to pick a good verse for the antiphon this week. Verse 1 says: Sing a new song to God, who has done marvellous things. We are to be blessed on Sunday 10 November with another visit by The Gospel Folk, ably directed by Brian. For their last visit over a year ago now, … Continue reading Psalm 98, 10 Nov 13
Psalm 119, 3 Nov 13
Our male voice group returns to lead us as we revisit that longest psalm, 119 - on this occasion from verse 137 to 144. Annotated text for singers may be found here > (Link will expire soon after 3 Nov.) We follow the familiar model of a cantor singing the first line or phrase, with all … Continue reading Psalm 119, 3 Nov 13
Psalm 65, 27 Oct 13
We don't 'do' Thanksgiving as a holiday in this country. However, we have often in our autumnal season held a harvest festival of some sort, rejoicing in the rich produce of the land. Here, it's spring rather than the 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness', of course; but Psalm 65 set for this Sunday is … Continue reading Psalm 65, 27 Oct 13
Psalm 119, 20 Oct 13
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:105 Great verse - perhaps you think back to Scripture Union days - but actually you won't hear it this Sunday, as it's just outside our Lectionary reading which includes verses 97 to 104. Never mind, the glow permeates … Continue reading Psalm 119, 20 Oct 13
Psalm 66, 13 Oct 13
A place of refreshment Many sources of sung responses for this week's psalm refer to the idea, appearing especially in the last lines of the Lectionary selection verse 12, of restoration after trials: We went through fire and water; but you brought us out into a spacious place (NRSV) - or 'a place of refreshment' … Continue reading Psalm 66, 13 Oct 13
Taizé, 6 Oct 13
The service on Sunday 6 October will be after the meditative Taizé tradition. The ecumenical Taizé community is in a village in France, not far from the ancient abbey of Cluny. Here, it's not only the bells at the entrance to grounds that interrupt the meditative silence. Despite the placards inviting arriving worshippers to leave their chatter … Continue reading Taizé, 6 Oct 13
Psalms in the South 