Visitors to ancient cities like York enjoy discovering quaint and remote features: the Shambles; archaeological remains of successive eras under the cathedral; hidden misericordiae within, saints and gargoyles without. The Shambles area provides just a hint of the chaotic life in early times; narrow alleys, stalls, clamour, smells and all sorts of behaviour, seen and unseen. Fairness … Continue reading Psalm 118, Easter Sunday 5 Apr 15
Tag: history
historical aspect of music or psalm
Psalm 107 and 51, 15 March 2015
A scary story of serpents in the wilderness from Numbers in the previous lectionary reading is a good precursor to the psalm's theme of divine mercy experienced in time of stress. The selection from Psalm 107 invites the reader to be thankful for everlasting mercies. An additional dimension is added in the next reading: By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is … Continue reading Psalm 107 and 51, 15 March 2015
Antiphon by Hildegard, 8 March 2015
Hildegard of Bingen (1098 - 1179) shines as a beacon from the past, standing for the validity of a feminine voice and interpretation in a world where men wrote the rules and the history. Unlike many, Hildegard achieved a degree of recognition in her own times, and even more unusually left a significant body of work in thought, … Continue reading Antiphon by Hildegard, 8 March 2015
Psalm 62, 25 Jan 15 (1)
This must be in the nature of a little holiday reading, as this psalm and the third Sunday after Epiphany, 25 January 2015, are still some way off. So using Psalm 62 as an excuse, here is a preliminary note on a manuscript having historical interest -- although we shall not be singing it when it finally … Continue reading Psalm 62, 25 Jan 15 (1)
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 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
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
Psalm 105, 21 Sep 14
What, Psalm 105 again? Yes, here we are again, or still, telling the story of the exodus and the legendary events along the way -- the Red Sea, water from the rock, moments of trust or lack of, complaints and joyful moments, highs and lows. There are many angles to explore. By telling and repeating, … Continue reading Psalm 105, 21 Sep 14
Psalms in the South 