Giving due precedence to the set psalm, the title above should read 'Psalms 50 and 33'. However, you can read about 50 in a blog in February 2015. This post looks more at 33 which has not been covered previously. This is a song of praise, one of the few in the first two books of the psalter. It … Continue reading Psalms 33 and 50
Tag: praise
Psalm 146, 5 June 2016
An article in the local paper today tells me that polls -- in Australia at least, though I do not doubt that readers in other countries will nod in agreement -- are revealing a loss of confidence in governance. Part of that is due to perceived weaknesses in both national leaders and opposing aspirants. People are, in this … Continue reading Psalm 146, 5 June 2016
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
Psalm 8, 22 May 2016
In the cosmology of Psalm 8, as in many others, humankind is a jewel of creation, somewhat smaller than the universe -- 'a little lower than the angels' -- yet 'adorned with glory and honour' (v.5). Significantly, the creation is placed under our care (v. 6), a responsibility that is not absolved by the loss of … Continue reading Psalm 8, 22 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
Psalm 104b, 15 May 2015
In this selection from Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, the poet's eye sweeps appreciatively across the 'manifold works' of creation, made with wisdom and full of wonderful creatures: Yonder is the great wide sea, with its living things too many to number. There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan which you made for sport. All of them … Continue reading Psalm 104b, 15 May 2015
Psalm 67, 1 May 2016
May Day has relatively recently become a day for the workers. Originally it just celebrated the coming of the northern hemisphere spring, bonfires at the end of April, singing and dancing. Such revelry is somewhat akin to what we have been hearing over several recent psalms -- relief from the winter of oppression and conflict, safety after threat, peace after conflict. Psalm … Continue reading Psalm 67, 1 May 2016
Psalm 148, 24 April 2016
The last half-dozen psalms in the book raise songs of praise to the creator, like a symphony rising to its finale. In Psalm 148, the psalmist casts around the whole creation, summoning elements from all corners to join in singing praise to the name of God. It's a nice picture of solidarity, including natural and heavenly … Continue reading Psalm 148, 24 April 2016
Psalm 150, 3 April 2016
At last, here is the last psalm in the book. It only appears once in the three year cycle, Easter Year C. So here we are, and pleased to welcome this short joyful, musical finale. The psalm The six short verses of Psalm 150 call us to praise God in creation. No specific reasons are adduced, … Continue reading Psalm 150, 3 April 2016
Skip and jump; 37, 92, 138
The poetic moods in the psalms range from dark and penitent to skipping and jumping. Sometimes several moods mix in any one song, making the choice of a suitably supportive musical style challenging. The title today is occasioned by a different issue, that of the psalms we do not hear. Some we jump because they did … Continue reading Skip and jump; 37, 92, 138
Psalms in the South 