This lovely Song of Mary, found in Luke 1:46b-55, is called Magnificat since that is the first word of the text in the Latin: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour. You can feel the thrill springing up in her heart -- to be the mother of the promised one! … Continue reading The Magnificat, 21 Dec 14
Tag: thanksgiving
Psalm 114,14 Sep 14
With numbers in mind after a visit to Albert Einstein's house, I'm idly noticing the detail that Psalm 114 is sung on the 14th and Psalm 124 was on the 24th. Well, it doesn't look like any of Albert's brilliance rubbed off! So forget the coincidences and note instead that this psalm contains characteristically powerful historical imagery including the … Continue reading Psalm 114,14 Sep 14
Psalm 105, 27 July 14
Psalm 105 is a song of praise, as indeed are 106 and 107 that follow. The opening lines sound familiar, as such phrases occur throughout the Bible: Confitemini Domino et invocate nomen ejus Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name The next verse narrows the focus to set the theme as historical narrative, evidence that has provided confidence for … Continue reading Psalm 105, 27 July 14
Psalm 116, 2 and 4 May 14
Just add a century from No 16 last week. Skipping over a whole hundred psalms! Amazing - and there are 50 more if you do not count that old No 151. Such a rich treasury of imagery, inspiration, prayer, encouragement and song. Psalm 116, like 30 and others, is a paean of thanks for deliverance … Continue reading Psalm 116, 2 and 4 May 14
Psalm 95, 23 March 14
This psalm rewards the reader with new dimensions each reading. The first half starts with a song, indeed a shout, of praise and thanks to the creator of a fantastic world; and not just any old song but; let us come before God with thanksgiving / and raise a loud shout with psalms (v. 3) … Continue reading Psalm 95, 23 March 14
Psalm 32, Lent, 9 Mar 14
The psalm. This one could be called a psalm of penitence (this theme taking up the first half of the song), or of refuge (vv. 6 -7). But then it changes direction, breaks into other riffs of guidance or wisdom (8-9) and finally thanksgiving. And how are they related, pray tell? So many ideas tumbling one after … Continue reading Psalm 32, Lent, 9 Mar 14
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 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
