This psalm of thanks opens and closes with resounding acclamations of divine love and mercy that endure forever. In between are statements about trusting in God rather than in rulers (8), relief at delivery from evil and opposition (5, 10) access to goodness (19) and causes for rejoicing. Each year when this psalm arises on … Continue reading Psalm 118, 25 March 18
Tag: Lent
Psalm 51, 18 March 2018
St Patrick’s Day slides by largely unremarked. (I did have a Celtic style song based on last week's Psalm 107 up my sleeve; however, our singers' rendition of Everett's three-part refrain for 107, repeated in PFAS, was a pleasing and inspiring addition.) This week we preview that well-used Psalm 51, thereby moving into more sober territory … Continue reading Psalm 51, 18 March 2018
Psalm 25, 18 Feb ’18
This song arises on the first Sunday in Lent (in Year B). The reader will find no sack-cloth and ashes, lamentation or the parched airs of the wilderness. Of course, the psalmist was writing long before church administrations established traditions such as Lent. However, someone chose to pop this poem into the Lectionary in this … Continue reading Psalm 25, 18 Feb ’18
Crystal ball, Feb-March 2018
This 'sticky' post is intended for South Woden readers. Scroll down for weekly blog posts. Subject to the choices of worship leaders, here are ideas for the opening months of 2018. 21 Jan, Ps 62. As explained in the recent post for this week, TiS 33 offers a nice refrain "Rest in God alone", with … Continue reading Crystal ball, Feb-March 2018
Psalm 122
Psalm 122 is not only a Song of Ascent (the third) but also one of pilgrimage to the centre of divine love and justice. Psalm 120 told a sorrowful tale of living afar amongst alien people; the next one 121 starts the journey to Jerusalem ("I lift up my eyes to the hills...'); and finally in … Continue reading Psalm 122
Psalms for palms; 118, 31
After a couple of opening verses of Psalm 118 proclaiming divine goodness and mercy, the lectionary (liturgy of the palms) cuts to the second half. As Jesus enters the gates of Jerusalem, so here: Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and praise God. (v. 19) That corner stone now appears. The … Continue reading Psalms for palms; 118, 31
Psalm 126, 13 March 2016
Psalm 126, a song of ascent, contains one of the great scriptural narratives. The sower goes out with seed, responding to the ever-changing seasons, renewing a livelihood. It's not easy. Drought comes -- or floods, birds and animals. Weeds grow to choke the good seed. However: May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. … Continue reading Psalm 126, 13 March 2016
Psalm 32, 6 March 2016
International Women's Day on 8 March is an important day in many churches including South Woden, a community who has long valued inclusive and egalitarian policies and practices. One cannot define the divine in terms of our own human gender. Our practice here as we sing psalm verses is carefully to paraphrase the sung text to … Continue reading Psalm 32, 6 March 2016
Psalm 63, 28 Feb 2016
Just like last week, Psalm 63 for Lent 3 holds familiar words and imagery, water this time rather than light: You are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Ps. 63:1) The preceding lectionary reading from the Old … Continue reading Psalm 63, 28 Feb 2016
Psalm 27, 21 Feb 2016
God is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? Light -- the light of the world (John 8:12) and light upon the path (Psalm 119:105) -- is a theme found in many psalms, in words that have become familiar by virtue of repetition and songs based on such verses. This psalm offers encouragement, weaving together two threads of thought. … Continue reading Psalm 27, 21 Feb 2016
Psalms in the South 