The underlying message from Psalm 50 is to recognise that justice flows from an acceptance of divine principles and influence. The message is clothed in a vision of God speaking forth in awesome drama to call, "from the rising of the sun to its setting", for sincerity in the faithful: 4 God calls to the heavens … Continue reading Psalm 50, 14 Feb 21
Tag: musical
comment on the music, harmony or character
Psalm 22 again; Mendelssohn
The post two days ago on Psalm 22 in the readings for Good Friday was enriched by a fine a cappella rendition of a favourite Sibelius hymn, suggested by a revered musician, singer, educator and member of our community, a community now dutifully isolated here in Canberra, Australia. Such listening suggestions -- and indeed such … Continue reading Psalm 22 again; Mendelssohn
Psalm 121, 8 Mar 20
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (v.1) Or so went this familiar line from Psalm 121 in the dusty old King James version, still beautiful but little used. This is the second of the songs of ascent (120 to 134). Originating perhaps as pilgrimage songs, the psalms of … Continue reading Psalm 121, 8 Mar 20
How and why sung?
While enjoying the Song Company's '150 Psalms' concert the other night (see earlier blog) -- which included the impressive seven-part setting of Psalm 20 by Robert White, a fragment of which is shown here -- several singers from Psalms in the South speculated on how and why these poems came to be sung. Written music … Continue reading How and why sung?
Psalm 40, 15 Jan 2017
Psalm 40, which comes up in March each year as well as this one in Epiphany in Year A, is a rich and captivating poem, said to be by David. It begins with patience, awe, thanks and song: God set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. God put a … Continue reading Psalm 40, 15 Jan 2017
Psalm 46, 20 Nov 16
Happy New Year's eve to all. Well, this is the last Sunday of Year C. Year A and advent start 27 November. [And for our local SWUC readers, at such times of cosmic transition, including of course the solstice, we are privileged to have Keith at the helm.] Psalm 46 also comes up at significant calendar … Continue reading Psalm 46, 20 Nov 16
Psalm 40
Psalm 40, which comes up in March each year as well as Epiphany in Year A, is a rich and captivating poem, said to be by David. It begins with patience, awe, thanks and song: God set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. God put a new song in … Continue reading Psalm 40
Psalm 117
Psalm 117 is a surprise on several counts. Short and sweet First, as the shortest psalm in the bible, it consists of but two verses -- and just two songs later the longest psalm 119 sports 176 verses! These two verses are nevertheless important ones, presenting statements of the universality of all peoples or nations, and … Continue reading Psalm 117
Psalms 96, 13, 29 May 2016
Psalm 96 is another call by the psalm songster to sing, yet again, a new song. Trouble is (quite apart from the fact the we are not actually singing the set psalm 96 this week) we actually like the old songs best. You remember words and tunes you learned as a young person, while other more … Continue reading Psalms 96, 13, 29 May 2016
Psalms 108, 109, 110
The first psalm in Book 5 of the Psalter, 107 is included in the Revised Common Lectionary; but then 108 is the first of three consecutive 'skips', all songs attributed to David. (Thirteen of the 44 psalms in Book 5 are omitted.) Unsurprisingly, relatively few musical setting appear in our regular sources. Psalm 108 There's a little recycling going … Continue reading Psalms 108, 109, 110
Psalms in the South 