The third of the seven Penitentials, this psalm is glass half empty -- no, make that a quarter -- through to verse 14. The opening verses mirror those of the first Penitential Psalm, 6. The singer regrets failure, inadequacy, illness and a thorough-going weariness. Then comes the half full, and an urgent request for comfort: For in you … Continue reading Psalm 38
Tag: lamentation
Psalm 39
Psalm 39 is a song reflecting on the short span of life -- 'a few hand-breadths ... a mere breath'. (verse 5) It is not formally included, as is the preceding Psalm 38, in the list of seven penitential psalms. (Neither 38 nor 39 make it into the Lectionary.) 39 could well qualify, however, as one of … Continue reading Psalm 39
Psalm 5; 12 June 16
Recognise this? Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety. It's a paraphrase of Psalm 5:8 by Samuel Wesley, sometimes used as a short sung prayer. Both words and tune are compelling, although in … Continue reading Psalm 5; 12 June 16
Psalms 87, 88
Here are a couple of very contrasting songs: one looking out happily to 'Zion'; the other lamenting, no silver lining. Both are 'skips' in the Lectionary but should not be ignored -- and indeed are not by those traditions that regularly sing all of the psalms within a short period of a month or so. Psalm 87 Glorious … Continue reading Psalms 87, 88
Psalms 74, 75
Book 3, as mentioned previously, is the home of the songs of the musician Asaph. His first five are not included in the lectionary, the next five are. Psalm 74 Psalms for all seasons offers but one setting, the well-known O come, Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL 88.88 with refrain). This is an interesting choice, since it uses … Continue reading Psalms 74, 75
Psalm 73, Asaph
Book 3 of the psalter (73 to 89) opens with eleven psalms of Asaph, a temple musician referred to in Chronicles. The first five do not appear in the lectionary. Asaph I warm to Asaph. Admittedly, we don't really know for sure who he was. Probably a musician and official in the temple during the reign on … Continue reading Psalm 73, Asaph
Psalm 22, Good Friday 25 Mar 2016
A review of the index pages tells me that Psalm 22 (lectionary readings here>) has been sung each year for the last three; but only one of those was for Good Friday. Singing is often very limited or even absent in this observance. The occurrence of this psalm on Good Friday is of course due to verse … Continue reading Psalm 22, Good Friday 25 Mar 2016
Skipping, 70, 64
The 'Skip and jump' series (see this earlier post of Jan 2016) started off to fill the gaps -- the psalms we do not hear. Psalm 70 only qualifies if you do not observe daily worship for Holy Week (which is South Woden). Those who do will hear (hopefully sing) this one on Wednesday thereof. (You will also hear 36 … Continue reading Skipping, 70, 64
Psalm 22 and 90, 11 Oct 15
Psalm 22 is usually associated -- largely due to the quote, 'My God, why hast thou forsaken me?' -- with the shadows of Good Friday and such times of lamentation about our estate. Here, it follows a similar hand-wring from the book of Job. So someone is trying to get our attention. Well there's plenty … Continue reading Psalm 22 and 90, 11 Oct 15
Psalm 14 or 145, 26 July 2015
Some psalms are decidedly dark. Here's Psalm 14, which tells us about widespread foolishness, corruption and evil (as if we don't know -- and that hot on the heels of the companion Samuel reading bringing us the Great Psalmist's wicked trick on Uriah, to say nothing of the daily news). It's easy to duck these ones and look for a … Continue reading Psalm 14 or 145, 26 July 2015
Psalms in the South 