We have had more than enough of contempt.’ (3) Two themes are mingled in this song of ascent: the psalmist declares trust in divine love and protection -- 'To you I lift my eyes... (1)' -- while hoping for mercy and relief from injustice. The writer is wearied by contempt and scorn from the ‘indolent rich’, … Continue reading Psalm 123, 15 Nov 20
Psalm 78, 8 Nov 20
‘With upright heart God tended them, guided them with skilful hand.’ (72) This long psalm is one of the dozen said to be by someone, or perhaps a group, called Asaph. Except for Psalm 50, these songs are all gathered together at the beginning of Book III of the Psalter, starting at Psalm 73. In 72 … Continue reading Psalm 78, 8 Nov 20
Psalm 34, 1 Nov 2020
Halloween! So let us look at the psalm, not for this Sunday (Proper 26 in the jargon) but for 1 November -- All Saints' day, which happens to fall on Sunday. [For Proper 26, see the page on Psalm 107.] Some say that years ago, the winter frosts coming on, All Hallows day absorbed Celtic … Continue reading Psalm 34, 1 Nov 2020
Crystal Ball, Nov and Advent 2020
During social distancing, The Crystal Ball indicates likely choices for a recording for the online services, assuming the first set psalm is to be used. [Letters in square brackets] every second week apply to Zoom services at South Woden only. Worship leaders indicated are invited to advise the Webmaster of any preferences in theme, music … Continue reading Crystal Ball, Nov and Advent 2020
Psalm 90, 25 Oct ’20
This first song in Book IV of the Psalter is the only one said to be by Moses. If so, his experiences of leading desperate people through the wilderness, ultimately reaching but not entering the promised land, added fervour. Authorship is not a major consideration in the singing and receiving of the resultant psalm each … Continue reading Psalm 90, 25 Oct ’20
Psalm 99, 18 Oct ’20
If you read last week's entry on Psalm 106 you will know that, for this author, justice and equity are foundational themes, if not prominent ones, in this psalm and many others. As in 106, the psalmist in the first few lines declares the greatness and goodness of the divine creative spirit. Then Psalm 99 … Continue reading Psalm 99, 18 Oct ’20
Psalm 106, 11 Oct ’20
Without sounding too much like a cracked record, I must record that justice and equity as ideals and goals for both communities and individuals are major take-aways from Psalm 106, as well as 99 listed for the following Sunday. It only takes a few lines of this psalm before the word 'justice' leaps out of … Continue reading Psalm 106, 11 Oct ’20
Psalm 19, 4 Oct ’20
All you dear friends who have sung with our Psalm Singers in the South or with The Gospel Folk in Canberra will recall the energy and joy of uniting in The rivers of Babylon, a song made famous by The Melodions and Bob Marley. This is a driving reggae version which includes the refrain: Let … Continue reading Psalm 19, 4 Oct ’20
Psalm 78, 27 Sep 20
This song continues the theme of the Exodus, the Hebrews escaping from slavery and refugee status into a wilderness experience on the way to a promised land. Again, the parting of the waters of the Red Sea and the provision of manna and water in the desert are taken as a parable from which, if … Continue reading Psalm 78, 27 Sep 20
Psalm 105(4); 20 Sep 20
Four readings of Psalm 105 over the last two months have left us in no doubt as to the allegorical importance of the Hebrew tales of exile into Egypt, their harsh experience as refugees, and finally the miraculous pursuit and escape across the Red Sea. In the final section included in this fourth and last … Continue reading Psalm 105(4); 20 Sep 20
Psalms in the South 