Psalm 35 has been omitted from the lectionary, probably as a 'special interest' poem -- in this case for those who have been slandered or victim of deceit and such injustices. Hopefully most readers will not suffer such pain too often and may not identify with the psalmist and the song; but it does happen. … Continue reading Psalm 35
Tag: trust
Psalms 33 and 50
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
Psalms 42, 43, 19 June 16
Australians, at least those who live or travel anywhere near the open dry spaces of this continent, know what thirst is all about. Indigenous plants and animals evolved to survive through hot summers and droughts. Aboriginal people were expert at finding water in dry creek beds, trees and grasses. For Sooner or later in a … Continue reading Psalms 42, 43, 19 June 16
Psalms 11 and 12, skips
Dig and delve I got away with discussing Psalms 9 and 10 together because they are really part of one psalm (see relevant post here>). No such excuse for 11 and 12 (also skips) but let's dig and delve briefly in both anyway; they are both attributed to David and have similar statements of trust in divine inspiration, … Continue reading Psalms 11 and 12, skips
Psalm 7
First, many thanks to our women who provided such beautiful singing and leadership in Psalm 30 on 10 April. A confident and inspiring crafting of words and flow of music liberate listeners to follow and respond to the narrative and spirit of the song. Next Sunday, that old favourite the Shepherd Psalm -- El Señor es mi Pastor. Iris reads the … Continue reading Psalm 7
Psalm 3
In our series of songs that we would never hear from the weekly RCL selections ('Skips'), Psalm 3 is an early gap, the first omission in the Psalter in fact. Perhaps we can see why they skipped this one: Surely you will strike all my enemies across the face, you will break the teeth of the wicked. (v.7) Great Sunday morning … Continue reading Psalm 3
Psalm 25, 29 Nov 15
Psalm 25, an acrostic psalm in Hebrew, runs to 22 verses. The alphabetical arrangement is lost in our translations. The psalmist seems to swing between two states, first soaring then penitential. Our selection is the first ten, more aspirational, verses. David then goes on to lament his failings and seek forgiveness in the second half. Here's the … Continue reading Psalm 25, 29 Nov 15
Psalm 130, 28 June 2015
Life in many places has often been pretty rough over the years; people fight, wars arise over land, resources or power grabs. Days are very dark for ordinary people feeling the consequences of conflict. When things fall apart like that, community rulers try new ways of patching them up and preventing recurrence. The charter shown here is one such attempt. … Continue reading Psalm 130, 28 June 2015
Psalm 31, 29 March 2015
Two psalms are listed for Palm Sunday, for the liturgies of the palms and of the passion. In recent years we have sung both; Psalm 118 on the way in and then Psalm 31 during the scripted service. This Sunday we confine our song to Psalm 31, with a response from Psalms for all seasons, no 31C. But reading … Continue reading Psalm 31, 29 March 2015
Psalm 62, 25 Jan 15 (1)
This must be in the nature of a little holiday reading, as this psalm and the third Sunday after Epiphany, 25 January 2015, are still some way off. So using Psalm 62 as an excuse, here is a preliminary note on a manuscript having historical interest -- although we shall not be singing it when it finally … Continue reading Psalm 62, 25 Jan 15 (1)
Psalms in the South 