What you see and what you think you see are not always the same thing. Is this an image of smoke-rings, a bicycle or a piece of post-modern art?Have you ever thought you knew someone well only to find out they have a very different side to them from that which you have known?This may be … Continue reading Psalm 139, 20 July 2014
Tag: songs
Psalm 23, 11 May 14
The 'Shepherd Psalm' needs no introduction or commentary here, so none is offered. If you have the vague feeling that you have read that somewhere previously, it's just the post for 30 March, unashamedly copied almost holus-bolus. Music You may imagine this psalm to be irrevocably associated with Jessie Irving's famous tune CRIMOND. This week however, not the … Continue reading Psalm 23, 11 May 14
Psalm 23, 30 March 14
The 'Shepherd Psalm' needs no introduction or commentary here, so none is offered. Music You may imagine this one to be irrevocably associated with Jessie Irving's famous tune CRIMOND. This week however, being the last Sunday of the month, we take advantage of the presence of a male voice quartet to do something different. Remaining respectful … Continue reading Psalm 23, 30 March 14
Mystery mediaeval music
Quiz of the Season. Thank you ladies and girls for the rendition of the Magnificat today. So, over half-way through Advent and just when you thought it was safe to open the mail, here's a twister. What is this early chant all about? (I won't ask if you can sing it) Of course, after our … Continue reading Mystery mediaeval music
Magnificat, 15 Dec 13
The third Sunday in Advent (we are around to Year A again, by the way) brings us to the song of Mary, generally known by its Latin name (from the first line Magnificat anima mea Dominum) as the Magnificat. The text is in Luke 1: 46-55. Understandably, settings for this song abound. In our own song book alone, Together in song, … Continue reading Magnificat, 15 Dec 13
Psalm 72, 8 Dec 13
Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013. Image: Wikimedia commons Give the leader your justice O God. (v. 1) This psalm asks for the ruler to show justice, compassion and goodness to his people. Surely a common enough theme, but more poignant since we see how often rulers around the world are more interested in grasping power and its … Continue reading Psalm 72, 8 Dec 13
Modernised chant
In a previous post I noted that this week we use a John Bell tune to sing Canticle 9 from Isaiah with the children. (The canticles sometimes replace or appear with the psalm set in the lectionary.) Anyone at all is welcome to join us to help us lead the 'Hallelujah for evermore' response. This … Continue reading Modernised chant
Psalm 65, 27 Oct 13
We don't 'do' Thanksgiving as a holiday in this country. However, we have often in our autumnal season held a harvest festival of some sort, rejoicing in the rich produce of the land. Here, it's spring rather than the 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness', of course; but Psalm 65 set for this Sunday is … Continue reading Psalm 65, 27 Oct 13
Psalm 66, 13 Oct 13
A place of refreshment Many sources of sung responses for this week's psalm refer to the idea, appearing especially in the last lines of the Lectionary selection verse 12, of restoration after trials: We went through fire and water; but you brought us out into a spacious place (NRSV) - or 'a place of refreshment' … Continue reading Psalm 66, 13 Oct 13
Taizé, 6 Oct 13
The service on Sunday 6 October will be after the meditative Taizé tradition. The ecumenical Taizé community is in a village in France, not far from the ancient abbey of Cluny. Here, it's not only the bells at the entrance to grounds that interrupt the meditative silence. Despite the placards inviting arriving worshippers to leave their chatter … Continue reading Taizé, 6 Oct 13
Psalms in the South 