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
Tag: Advent
Psalms for Christmas 2017
Christmas Eve this year falls on a Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Advent in Year B. The set psalm is 89, which starts: I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. Christmas Eve is also the starting point for the series of three psalms for … Continue reading Psalms for Christmas 2017
Magnificat, 17 Dec ’17
The Song of Mary, her joyful response to the angels' declaration that she would bear a special child (are they not all?), is timely and most appropriate in the Advent season. The Magnificat, as it is known from the first words of the song in Latin, has frequently been sung by women and girls during … Continue reading Magnificat, 17 Dec ’17
Psalm 96, Christmas 2016
[To see more recent Christmas psalm post for 2020, click here> or see Index.] Psalms 96 to 98 Psalms 96 to 98 appear often in the Lectionary, particularly at Christmas but also at other ordinary times during the year. The triplet forms a joyful package for a joyful occasion: these three songs for Christmas sing out in … Continue reading Psalm 96, Christmas 2016
Psalms 96 to 98, Christmas 2015
A joyful package suitable to a joyful occasion, these three songs for Christmas Eve and Day sing out in praise of the creator, the source of goodness, and a responsive jubilant creation. Psalm 96 begins with the much-sung 'Sing to God a new song'. Sure enough, there are dozens of settings ancient and modern of this psalm -- … Continue reading Psalms 96 to 98, Christmas 2015
Benedictus (Zechariah), 6 Dec 2015
The lectionary in some seasons substitutes a canticle or other reading for the psalm. We can hardly feel short-changed: we sing most of the psalms over the three-year (weekly) cycle, compared with less than 10% of the rest of the Bible. Anne Richardson, of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, writes: All three of the non-Psalm options in … Continue reading Benedictus (Zechariah), 6 Dec 2015
Psalm 25, 29 Nov 15
Psalm 25, an acrostic psalm in Hebrew, runs to 22 verses. The alphabetical arrangement is lost in our translations. The psalmist seems to swing between two states, first soaring then penitential. Our selection is the first ten, more aspirational, verses. David then goes on to lament his failings and seek forgiveness in the second half. Here's the … Continue reading Psalm 25, 29 Nov 15
Psalm 96, Christmas Day
In many churches, Psalm 96 is read on Christmas Eve, for example midnight mass, while the next two psalms are listed for the great day itself. Psalm 97 uses fiery image to proclaim God's sovereignty. Psalm 98 is a burst of joy: O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. ... All … Continue reading Psalm 96, Christmas Day
The Magnificat, 21 Dec 14
This lovely Song of Mary, found in Luke 1:46b-55, is called Magnificat since that is the first word of the text in the Latin: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour. You can feel the thrill springing up in her heart -- to be the mother of the promised one! … Continue reading The Magnificat, 21 Dec 14
Psalm 85, 7 December 2014
The first Australians have been conscious of and connected to the land in much stronger and deeper ways than more recent arrivals can comprehend or feel. Their livelihood was far more intimately bound up with their natural environment. Features in their traditional territorial landscapes have longstanding narrative and spiritual importance. Somehow, this atmosphere permeates Psalm 85. The first verses speak … Continue reading Psalm 85, 7 December 2014
Psalms in the South 