Singing and Praying the Psalms of David

2/09/11

Psalm 31

tune is St. Kevin 76.76.D

or St. Theodulph

("All Glory, Laud and Honor")

1.	¹ In You, LORD, I take refuge; Ashamed let me not be. Your righteousness eternal Express by saving me; ² Incline Your ear to hear me; With speed deliver me. To me O be a strong rock, A fort to rescue me.
2.	³ You are my rock and fortress; For Your sake lead and guide. ⁴ Free me from nets they've hidden; My stronghold You abide. ⁵ I now commit my spirit Into Your outstreched hand. I know You have redeemed me, LORD God of truths that stand.
3.	⁶ I hate those serving idols; My trust is in the LORD. ⁷ I'll triumph in Your mercy; For anguish You regard. You've known my soul's afflictions, ⁸ Kept me from hostile hand. My feet You have established Where they have room to stand. 9 O LORD have mercy on me, For anguish fills my life; My eye, my soul, my body Are all consumed with grief. 10 My life is drained by sorrow, My years with sighing spent; I've lost my strength by sinning; My bones are weak and bent. 11 To all my foes a byword, A dread to those near me, A scorn to all my neighbors, At sight of me they flee. 12 Like dead men I'm forgotten, A broken jar thrown out. 13 I've slanders heard of many, And fear is all about. When foes conspire against me, My murder meditate, 14 In You, O LORD, I'm trusting; "You are my God," I state, 15 My times are all in Your hand; Free me from foes who chase. 16 Your face shine on Your servant; O save me in Your grace. 17 Let me not be ashamed, LORD, Because on You I call. Ashamed shall be the wicked, As dead men silenced all. 18 All false lips shall be silenced, Whose speech is insolent, Who boldly blame the righteous And proudly show contempt. 19 How great the good You've treasured For them who worship You, Prepared for those who trust You Where sons of men may view. You by your presence hide them 20 From all men plotting wrongs; You keep them in Your shelter Safe from the strife of tongues. 21 The LORD be ever bless-ed, For he has made me know The mercy and protection His city walls bestow. 22 I said when filled with panic, "I'm cut off from Your eyes!" Yet when to You I called out, You heard my pleading cries. 23 O love the LORD, you godly! The LORD the faithful keeps. But He repays the haughty That what he sows he reaps. 24 Be strong! He'll keep refreshing Your heart with courage great; O do with hope and patience Upon Jehovah wait.

2/07/11

Psalm 30

Angel's Story, 76.76.D. [B]

1.	¹ O LORD, I will exalt You, For You have lifted me; My foes You have allowed not To glory over me. ² O LORD my God, I pleaded That You might heal and save; ³ LORD, You from death have ransomed And kept me from the grave.
2.	⁴ His saints, O praise Jehovah And thank His holy name. ⁵ His anger lasts a moment, His grace a whole life time. For sorrow, like a pilgrim, May tarry all the night, But then a shout of joy comes When dawns the morning light.
3.	⁶ In prosperous days I boasted, "Unmoved I shall remain." ⁷ O LORD, You by Your favor My mount in strength maintain; For when Your face was hidden, I soon was troubled sore. ⁸ I'll cry to You, Jehovah; The LORD I will implore.
4.	⁹ Is there in my blood profit When in the grave I dwell? Will dust proclaim Your praises, Your truth and glory tell? ¹⁰ O hear me now, Jehovah! Be gracious unto me! To You I cry, Jehovah! O now my helper be!
5.	¹¹ You now have turned my sorrow To dancing full of joy; You loosened all my sack-cloth And girded me with joy. ¹² To You sing psalms, my glory, And never silent be! O LORD my God, I'll thank You Through all eternity.

2/06/11

Singing and Praying with our Children

Nearly every day we sing a psalm together as a family. Then my husband, Harlan, will ask each of us to say a short prayer based on the psalm. I love this practice because I see it as a means to teach the children to pray from scripture. (We lay the wood and ask God to light the fire.) This is not complicated. For example, if we sing these lines from Psalm 37: "Don't fret because of evil men, nor envy those who practice wrong; for like the grass they'll be cut down; they'll wither like the fresh green grass..." one child may ask God to help us remember that our lives are very short and to help us not to waste them. Another may thank God that he is in charge and therefore we don't need to fear evil men. Another may repent of anxiety. As long as a child can read, they can participate. If they cannot think of anything, they can simply read some of the lines aloud. We hope with God's blessing this will teach our children to pray.

-- from Jeannette My Wife
check out her blog Sparrow's Rest

Psalm 29 Notice: its not all about me.

Kremser, 12.11.12.11.

1.	¹ O give to Jehovah, you sons of the Mighty, Both glory and strength to Jehovah accord! ² O give to the LORD His name's greatness of glory! In splendor of holiness worship the LORD.
2.	³ The voice of Jehovah resounds on the waters; The glorious God thunders forth from the height. The LORD is upon the great sweep of the waters-- ⁴ The LORD's voice in splendor! The LORD's voice in might!
3.	⁵ The voice of Jehovah is breaking the cedars! Jehovah rips Lebanon's cedars apart! ⁶ The slopes of Mount Hermon -- like calves they are leaping! And Lebanon's hills like young antelope start!
4.	⁷ The voice of Jehovah divides flames of lightning And causes the fiery flashes to break! ⁸ The voice of the LORD makes the wilderness tremble; The LORD makes the desert of Kadesh to shake!
5.	⁹ The voice of the LORD makes the deer twist in labor! The high-standing forest of trees it strips bare! And all of the length and the breadth of His temple And all things within it His glory declare!
6.	¹⁰ The LORD on His throne sat above the great deluge! The LORD on His throne sits as King without cease! ¹¹ The LORD is the One Who gives strength to His people! The LORD is the One Who will bless them with peace!

2/05/11

Psalm 28

Barnabas, 76.76.77.76.* [High C]

	¹ LORD, my Rock, to you I cry! O be not deaf to me! If you speak not, I must lie with those entombed that be. ² Hear when I before you stand, there to voice my earnest plea, when I lift imploring hands before your sanctu'ry.
	³ Drag me not away from you with men engaged in sin, who with peace their neighbors woo while murder lurks within. ⁴ Give to them their cup of woe, all the evils they have wrought. Let them by your judgment know the woes which they have brought.
	⁵ Since the doings of the LORD, his works, they yet ignore, he'll make ruin their reward nor build them any more. ⁶ Bless the LORD! My cry he heard! ⁷ My defense, my shield, the LORD! My heart trusted in his word; with help I am restored.
	Glad in heart, I'll raise my song. ⁸ The LORD protects his own. His Anointed he makes strong; he saves and guards his throne. ⁹ Save your people; prosper them; Bless them for your heritage. Be their shepherd. Carry them Secure through every age. *Looking for the tune came across a good set of lyrics from Charles Wesley about the Lord's table...

2/04/11

Psalm 27

1 The LORD's my shining light and my salvation sure;

who can fill me with fright or move my heart secure?

The LORD's my stronghold ever near;

of whom then shall I stand in fear?

2 When adversaries came to eat my flesh away,

those wicked tripped in shame,and fell to their dismay.

3 Though hosts surround, I will not quail;

and still I trust, though war assail.

4 My one desire has been, still to the LORD I'll pray,

that all my days within the LORD's house I may stay,

the LORD's own beauty to admire,

and in his temple to inquire.

5 When troubles fill my day, when fears and dangers throng,

securely hid I'll stay in his pavilion strong.

He'll hide me in his tent always;

and high upon a rock me raise.

6 My head shall lifted be above my enemies.

Within his tent with glee I'll offer sacrifice

of shouts of joy. My song I'll bring;

yes, praises to the LORD I'll sing.

7 LORD, hear me when I cry! O answer me in grace!

8 Each time I hear you say, "Enquire and seek my face,"

my heart in glad response will speak,

"Your face, O LORD, I'll always seek."

9 Hide not your face from me, your servant now, I pray;

the day you angry be O turn me not away!

You've been my help. Forsake me not!

God, my Salvation, leave me not!

10 Though parents cast off may, the LORD will care for me.

11 Teach me, O LORD, your way; on level path lead me.

For me my foes in ambush wait;

my way is lined with those who hate.

12 O to my foes desire hand me not over now!

They cunningly conspire their charges false to vow.

Their every breath is cruelty;

how hopeless seems my cause to be,

13. oh had I not believed that I would surely see

the goodness of the LORD with those that living be!

14 Wait for the LORD! With strength restored,

be brave in heart. Wait for the LORD.

can be sung to the tune Bevan "Jesus my great High Priest"

2/03/11

Psalm 26

Can be sung to Aurelia "The Church's one Foundation"

1 O LORD, now vindicate me;

I've been made right with you,

And in the LORD I've trusted

With steady purpose true.

2 Probe me, O LORD, and test me;

Examine heart and mind.

3 My eyes are on your mercy;

your way of truth I find.

4 I gang not with pretenders,

Nor join deceitful men.

5 I hate wrong-doers' meetings;

I'll not join wicked men.

6 With washed and blameless hands, LORD,

your altar I'll draw near,

7 That I may with thanksgiving

your wondrous works declare.

8 O LORD, how much I cherish

Abiding in your home;

I love that chosen dwelling

Where you in glory come.

9 Sweep me not up with sinners;

Spare me from blood they spill,

10 Whose hands hide evil-doing,

Whose right hand bribes do fill.

11 That I may walk sincerely

The way you've set for me,

O do you now redeem me!

Be merciful to me!

12 My ransomed foot is standing

On smooth and even ground.

Within the congregation

The LORD's praise I will sound.

2/02/11

Psalm 25

1 In you, LORD, is my hope;

2 in you, my God, I trust.

O let me not be put to shame,

nor o'er me my foes boast.

3 For none who hope in you

will be ashamed at all,

but those who wantonly transgress

upon them shame will fall.

4 Show me your ways, O LORD;

O teach to me your paths.

5 My Savior God, in you I hope,

so guide me in your truth.

6 O LORD, recall your love,

your covenant of old;

7 forget my sins of youth; you're good:

show mercy manifold.

8 The LORD is good and true;

the way he'll sinners show.

9 He guides the humble in the right;

his way he makes them know.

10 The LORD shows grace and truth

to those his cov'nant keep;

11 as fits your name, O LORD, forgive

my sin, for it is great.

12 Who truly fears the LORD?

He'll guide him in the truth;

13 he will abide in happiness,

his race possess the earth.

14 The friendship of the LORD

to such will then be shown;

the riches of his covenant

by them will be well known.

15 My eyes upon the LORD

continually are set,

for he alone can free my feet

entangled in the net.

16 O turn to me,show grace;

afflicted, I'm alone;

17 my troubles have been multiplied;

free me from all my pain.

18 My pain and trouble see,

my sin from me now take;

19 see how my foes have multiplied;

how vi'lently they hate!

20 O keep my life secure,

grant me deliverance;

and let me not be put to shame,

for in you is my trust.

21 Since in you is my hope,

let truth and right me guard.

22 From his afflictions all redeem

your Is-ra-el, O God.

.,.

Tune Trentham SM -- "Breathe on me breath of God"

2/01/11

Psalm 24

Psalm 24.

Greyfriars 11s.

1 The earth and the fullness with which it is stored,

The world and its dwellers belong to the Lord;

2 For He on the seas its foundations has laid,

And firm on the waters its pillars has stayed.

3 O who shall the mount of Jehovah ascend?

Or who in the place of His holiness stand?

4 The man of pure heart, and of hands without stain,

Who has not sworn falsely nor loved what is vain.

5 He shall from Jehovah a blessing receive;

The God of salvation shall righteousness give.

6 Thus looking to Him is a whole bless-ed race,

All those who, like Jacob, are seeking Your face.

7 O gates, lift your heads! Ageless doors, lift them high!

The great King of glory to enter draws nigh!

8 O who is the King that in glory draws near?

The Lord, mighty LORD of the battle is here!

9 O gates, lift your heads! Ageless doors, lift them high!
The great King of glory to enter draws nigh!

10 This great King of glory, O Who can He be?.

Jehovah of hosts, King of glory is He!

1/25/11

Psalm 23 with comment

Ps.23

Tune: Crimond or Evan CM

1 The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;

2 He makes me down to lie

In pastures green; He leadeth me

The quiet waters by.

3 My soul He doth restore again,

And me to walk doth make

Within the paths of righteousness,

E'en for His own Name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through death's dark vale,

Yet will I fear no ill,

For Thou art with me, and Thy rod

And staff me comfort still.

5 My table Thou hast furnishe'd

In presence of my foes;

My head Thou dost with oil anoint,

And my cup overflows.

6 Goodness and mercy all my life

Shall surely follow me,

And in God's house forevermore

My dwelling place shall be.

"Up until verse 4 David has been speaking about God in the 3rd person. In verse 4, as he enters the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he speaks to God in the second person, "you." It is as if the score of the psalm suddenly changes to a minor key. The green pastures and still waters become a dark, dangerous, deadly valley". ...continue

1/24/11

Psalm 22

Ps. 22
A psalm of David

Tune: The Lord's Prayer (Vader Unser) 8.8.8.8.8.8.
Our Father Clothed with Majesty"

1 My God, my God, O why have You
In my distress forsaken me?
O why so far from giving help,
And from my agonizing plea?
2 All day, my God, I cry in vain;
By night, yet no relief I gain.

3 But still you are the Holy One;
In Is-rael's praise You dwelling have.
4 Our fathers put their trust in You;
They trusted, and You rescue gave.
5 To You they cried; deliv-'ance came;
They trust-ed and were free from shame.

6 Re-proached of men, by all despised,
A worm and not a man am I;
7 And they that see me laugh in scorn;
They shake their heads and taunt-ing cry,
8 "He trusts the LORD! Let Him defend
And save him, if He is his friend!"

9 You took me safe-ly from the womb;
Gave faith when on my moth-er's breast;
10 From birth de-pen-dent on Your care.
You are my God; In You I rest.
11 Be not far off, for grief is nigh;
There's none on whom I can re-ly.

12 As herds of bulls that roam the wild
My cru-el foes a-bout me throng;
They bel-low and they com-pass me
Like bulls of Ba-shan fierce and strong;
13 Foes o-pen wide their mouths to slay,
Like li-ons roar-ing for their prey.

14 My life like wa-ter is poured out,
My bones at eve-ry joint a-part;
15 Like crack-ing pots my strength is dried;
14 In me like melt-ed wax my heart;
15 My tongue and jaws to-geth-er cling;
My soul to dust of death You bring.

16 Like dogs the wick-ed com-pass me,
And they have pierced my hands and feet.
17 I now can num-ber all my bones;
With gloat-ing stares all eyes me greet.
18 My clothes a-mong them they di-vide,
And on my robe with dice de-cide.

19 But be not far from me, O LORD!
Haste, O my Strength! Give help to me!
20 My soul de-liv-er from the sword.
My life from dogs and li-ons free.
21 Though by sharp horns I'm near-ly rent,
You have to me Your an-swer sent.

tune Vision

.	²² To all my brothers I'll declare The glory of Your holy name. ²³ I'll praise You where the people meet. Who fear the LORD, His praise proclaim; All sons of Jacob, praise His grace, And stand in awe, all Israel's race.
.	²⁴ For He has not despised the poor; He has not scorned their wretched state. ²³ He has not turned away His face From anyone in trouble great. When any cried to Him in grief, He heard his prayer and sent relief.
.	²⁵ Within the congregation great I offer praise You have supplied. I'll pay my vows with them who fear; ²⁶ The meek with food are satisfied, Who seek the LORD shall Him adore. May your heart live for evermore.

.	²⁷ All ends of earth, remembr'ing Him, Shall turn themselves unto the LORD. The kindreds of the nations then To Him their homage shall accord. ²⁸ Because the LORD the kingdom owns And rules above all earthly thrones.
.	²⁹ The rich and mighty of the earth Shall eat and low before Him bend, And in His presence all shall bow Who helpless to the dust descend, The wretched who, although they strive, Yet cannot keep their souls alive.
.	³⁰ A seed shall rise to serve His will, And to the age it shall be told ³¹ About our Lord; then they shall come And shall His righteousness unfold Unto a people yet unknown, That this was done by Him alone.

1/22/11

A Prayer for an end to Abortion from Psalm 10

Arise, O Lord, lift up your hand,
O God, Protect the poor and meek;
Why should the proud your justice doubt,
And words of bold defiance speak?

The proud you will indeed repay,
No spiteful sin escapes your view;
The helpless and the fatherless
Commit themselves, O Lord, to you.
Break down the power of wicked men
And let their works no longer stand.

The Lord is King for evermore,
Who drove the nations from his land.
Amen.

For the rest of this paraphrase and to sing it click here

1/21/11

Psalm 21

Jesus Crowned and Triumphant.
tune: Latakia 12.9s

1 Now the King in your strength shall be joyful, O LORD,

Your salvation shall make him rejoice;

2 For the wish of his heart you did freely accord,

The request of his suppliant voice.

3 All the blessings of goodness you freely did give;

With the purest of gold he is crowned;

4 When he asked of you life you have made him to live

While the ages shall circle around.

5 Through salvation from you has his fame spread abroad,

You did glory and honor impart;

6 You have made him most blessed forever, O God,

And your presence has gladdened his heart.

7 For the King in the strength of Jehovah Most High

Did unwavering confidence place;

On the Name of Jehovah he still will rely,

And shall stand evermore in his grace.

8 By the hand of your might and the dread of your name

All your foes you will burn in your fire;

9 You will swallow them up in the vengeance of flame,

10 And their race shall succumb to your ire.

11 Though they plotted their schemes against you and your might,

In their purpose they can not succeed;

12 You will certainly make them turn backward in flight,

For your arrows are ready to speed.

13 Then O be high exalted, Jehovah, our God,

And arise in the weight of your might;

We shall sing of your strength and omnipotent rod;

In your praises shall be our delight.

Link for Isaac Watt's Paraphrase

1/20/11

Psalm 20

We like this to the tune: Retreat LM * often used to sing "From Every Stormy Wind"

1.	¹ The LORD in your distress attend; Let Jacob's God exalt you still; ² Help from the holy temple send And strengthen you from Zion's hill.
2.	³ May He your sacrifice regard, And all your off'rings bear in mind May He your heart's desire reward, Fulfilling all you have designed.
3.	⁵ In your salvation we'll rejoice, In our God's name our banners raise. ⁴ O may Jehovah hear your voice, Grant all you ask through all your days.
4.	⁶ I know now that the LORD defends And saves His own anointed king. From holy heav'n He answer sends; His right hand saving power will bring.
5.	⁷ In chariots some boast confidence, And on their horses some rely; But we boast only one defense, The name of God, the LORD Most High.
6.	⁸ While we are raised and upright stand, Our foes are made to bow and fall. ⁹ O save the king, LORD, by Your hand, And answer us the day we call.

1/19/11

Psalm 19

Ps.19

Tune Haddam or Millenium 66.66.88

1. The spacious heav'ns declare the glory of our God;

the firmament displays his handiwork abroad;

2. day unto day doth utter speech,

and night to night doth knowledge teach.

3. Aloud they do not speak; they utter forth no word,

Nor into language break; their voice is never heard;

4. Yet through the world their line extends,

their words to earth's remotest ends.

In heav'n he set a tent a dwelling for the sun,

5. which as a mighty man delights his course to run.

He, bridegroom-like in his array,

comes from his chamber, bringing day.

6. His daily going forth is from the end of heav'n:

the firmament to him is for his circuit giv'n;

and everywhere from end to end,

his radiant heat he does extend.

7. Jehovah's perfect law restores the soul again;

his testimony sure gives wisdom unto men;

8. the precepts of the Lord are right,

and fill the heart with great delight.

The Lord's commands are pure, they light and joy restore;

9. Jehovah's fear is clean, enduring evermore;

his statutes, let the world confess,

are wholly truth and righteousness.

10. They are to be desired above the finest gold;

than honey from the comb more sweetness far they hold;

11. with warning they your servant guard,

in keeping them is great reward.

12. His errors who can know? Cleanse me from hidden stain;

13. keep me from willful sins, nor let them o'er me reign;

and then I upright shall appear

and be from great transgression clear.

14. As you do search my life, may all my thoughts within

and all the words I speak your full approval win.

O Lord, you are a rock to me,

and my Redeemer you will be.

Psalm 18 Paraphrase

Ps.18

1. I love the Lord, His strength is mine;

He is my God, I trust His grace.

My fortress high, my shield divine,

My Saviour and my hidingplace.

2. My prayer to God shall still be raised

When troubles thick around me close;

The Lord, most worthy to be praised,

Will rescue me from all my foes.

3. When, floods of evil raging near,

Down nigh to death my soul was brought,

I cried to God in all my fear;

He heard and great deliverance wrought.

4. He came: the earth's foundations quake,

The hills are shaken from their place,

Thick smoke and fire devouring break

In anger dread before His face.

5. Descending through the bending skies,

With gloom and darkness under Him,

Forth through the storm Jehovah flies

As on the wings of cherubim.

6. Thick darkness hides Him from the view,

And swelling clouds His presence veil,

Until His glorious light breaks through

In lightning flash and glistening hail.

7. Jehovah's thunders fill the heaven,

The dreadful voice of God Most High;

With shafts of light the clouds are riven,

His foes, dismayed, in terror fly.

8. The raging torrents overflow,

And sweep the world's foundations bare,

Because Thy blasts of anger blow,

O Lord of earth and sea and air.

9. He took me from the whelming waves

Of bitter hate and sore distress;

The Lord, my stay and helper, saves,

Though mighty foes around me press.

10. From direful straits He set me free,

He saved the man of His delight;

For good the Lord rewarded me,

Because I kept His ways aright.

1/17/11

Psalm 17

Ps.17 Tune: St. Matthew CMD

1   LORD, hear the right, Regard my cry
          Unto my prayer give heed,
     That doth not in hypocrisy
          From feigned lips proceed.
2   And from before thy presence let
          My judgment come to me;
     Turn thou thine eyes to upright things,
          Look thou on equity.

3   My heart thou provest, and by night
          Dost visit and me try,
     But findest nought; for my intent
          My mouth doth not belie.
4   As for men's works, I, by the word
          That from thy lips doth flow,
     Have kept myself out of the paths
          Wherein destroyers go.

5   Hold up my goings, Lord, me guide
          In those thy paths divine,
     So that my footsteps may not slide
          Out of those ways of thine.
6   I called have on thee, O God,
          Because thou wilt me hear:
     That thou may'st hearken to my speech,
          To me incline thine ear.

7   Thy wondrous loving-kindness show,
          Thou that, by thy right hand,
     Sav'st them that trust in thee from those
          That up against them stand.
8   As the apple of the eye me keep;
          In thy wings' shade me hide
9   From wasting deadly foes, who me
          Beset on every side.

10 In their own fat they are inclosed;
          Their mouth speaks loftily.
11 Our steps they compass, and to earth
          Down bowing set their eye.
12 He like unto a lion is
          That's greedy of his prey,
     Or lion young, which lurking doth
          In secret places stay.

13 Arise, and disappoint my foe,
          And cast him down, O Lord:
     And from the wicked man my soul
          Deliver by thy sword.
14 From worldly men, Lord, by thy hand
          Let me delivered be,
     Who only in this present life
          Their part and portion see;

     Whom with thy treasure thou dost fill:
          They many sons receive;
     And of their great abundance they
          Unto their children leave.
15 But as for me, I thine own face
          In righteousness will see;
     And with thy likeness, when I wake,
          I satisfied shall be.

Psalm 16

Ps.16

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you do I trust.

2 My soul to the LORD has said, "You are my Lord.

No goodness have I beyond you; and my joy

3 I find in the godly, the noble on earth."

4 Those worshiping other gods multiply griefs.

I will not pour out their libations of blood,

Nor will I upon my lips take up their names.

5 The LORD's my inherited portion, my cup.

6 My lot you maintain, and the lines fell to me

In pleasant lands; I have a good heritage.

7 The LORD Who gives counsel to me I will bless.

My inmost self teaches me all through the night.

8 The LORD ever present before me I keep.

He stands at my right hand; I shall not be moved.

9 My heart's glad. My soul joys. My flesh rests in hope.

10 For you won't abandon my soul to the grave.

Your Holy One you will preserve from decay.

11 The pathway of life you will show unto me;

In your glorious presence is fullness of joy.

Your right hand holds pleasures for me evermore.

Tune: Adeste Fideles "How Firm a Foundation", 11.11.11.11.