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Rock of Refuge (Psalm 31)

December 15, 2022 Comments Off

LYRICS

Rock of Refuge (Psalm 31)

Tune: Spancilhill

Be a rock of refuge for me and a fortress when I’m afraid
Incline your ear unto me and come quickly to my aid
Take me from the net that binds me and deliver me from scorn
I commit my spirit to your hands, please shelter me from harm

Rock of refuge, rock of refuge
Rock of refuge, when I am afraid

Be merciful unto me for my heart is in distress
My eyes are filled with grief and my soul is weighted down
My body’s spent with sorrow and my years with sighing, O
My strength it fails from misery, my bones they waste away

Rock of refuge, rock of refuge
Rock of refuge, when I am afraid

But I trust in you forever, for you are my God
My times are in your hand, let your face shine on me now
I’ll praise you and rejoice in you, please listen to my plea
Be a rock of refuge for me and a fortress when I’m afraid

And blessed be the Lord for God’s steadfast love for me
God heard my supplication when I cried out for help
My refuge and my fortress, I will thank God with my song
Be strong all those who wait for God, may courage fill your hearts

Rock of refuge, rock of refuge
Rock of refuge, when I am afraid

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As the Deer Longs for Streams (Psalm 42)

December 6, 2015 Comments Off

This psalm of longing is set to the relatively well-known traditional melody, ‘Down by the Salley Gardens’.

LYRICS

As the Deer Longs for Streams (Psalm 42)

Tune: Down By the Salley Gardens

As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you
I thirst for the living Lord, when shall I see the face of God
My tears have been my food, people say to me where is your God?
Why are you cast down within me, O my soul, cast down within

My soul’s cast down within me, so I remember you
Put your hope in God my Savior, I will yet praise the Lord
As deep calls to deep, your waves have swept over me
At night God’s song is with me, a prayer to the God of life.

I say to God, my rock, why have you forgotten me
Why must I walk so mournful, oppressed by my enemies
Why are you cast down within me, O my soul, cast down within
Put your hope in God my Savior, I will yet praise the Lord

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The God of Jacob (Psalm 46)

December 6, 2015 Comments Off

The lyrical air ‘Dawning of the Day’ (Fáinne Geal an Lae) conveys this psalm’s message of courage and hope.

LYRICS

The God of Jacob (Psalm 46)

Tune: Dawning of the Day/Fáinne Geal an Lae

The God of Jacob is our strength, our help in times of trouble
Though mountains fall into the depths, though seas do rage and roar
Though earth and hills be shaken, we will not be afraid
The Lord Almighty is with us; our refuge, evermore

There is a river bringing joy to the city of our God
The sacred house of God, Most High: it shall not be destroyed
Though nations tremble, kingdoms fall; God thunders, earth dissolves
The Lord Almighty is with us; our refuge, evermore

O come and see what God has done: amazing things on earth
God breaks the bow, destroys the spear, and sets the shield on fire
“Be still and know that I am God – I rule o’er all the earth,”
The Lord Almighty is with us; our refuge, evermore

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Create in Me (Psalm 51)

December 15, 2022 Comments Off

LYRICS

Create in Me (Psalm 51)

Tune: Logan’s Lament

Have mercy on me, O loving God
With your flowing compassion cleanse me
Wash me kindly and gently till I am returned
To the child I’m created to be

Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me
May I never doubt your spirit all about
And restore me into your joy

In my inmost heart, may your wisdom abound
Take away all the layers that hide me
Accept me with all that is broken within
May I sing your songs once again

Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me
May I never doubt your spirit all about
And restore me into your joy

I will lift my soul, for to you I’ll sing praise
O God of my salvation
For the only sacrifice that you need
Is a heart that is willing to mend

Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me
May I never doubt your spirit all about
And restore me into your joy

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Wings of a Dove (Psalm 55)

December 16, 2022 Comments Off

Telling the story of a person hurt by human relationship, this psalm captures the desire to find shelter in the midst of turmoil.

LYRICS

Wings of a Dove (Psalm 55)

Tune: Ned of the Hill

Listen to me and do not ignore me
My heart, it is troubled and I am distraught
The words that have hurt me, they cut like a knife
Oh I’m filled with sorrow; there is no way out

Oh that I had the wings
Had the wings of a dove
I would fly far away to the home that I love
I would fly to the place where my heart is at rest
In the shelter far from the tempest and storm

Evening and morning, I call in distress, praying
God, won’t you listen; O Lord, hear my voice
Enthroned from eternity, you do not change
From my battle, please rescue me; keep me from harm”

Oh that I had the wings
Had the wings of a dove
I would fly far away to the home that I love
I would fly to the place where my heart is at rest
In the shelter far from the tempest and storm

Cast all your cares on the God who sustains you
You’ll never be shaken, though the storm rages on
The wicked will fade but you’ll not be forsaken
You’ll rest in the shelter from the tempest and storm

Oh that I had the wings
Had the wings of a dove
I would fly far away to the home that I love
I would fly to the place where my heart is at rest
In the shelter far from the tempest and storm

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Hear My Cry, O God (Psalm 61)

December 6, 2015 Comments Off

This arrangement, set to the wordless tune, “Caisleán an Óir,” portrays the urgency and energy with which the psalmist may have written these words.

LYRICS

Hear My Cry, O God (Psalm 61)

Tune: Caisleán an Óir

Hear my cry, O God
and listen to my prayer
From the end of earth I call to you
when my heart is faint
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I
for you are my refuge, my strong tower, my God forevermore

Let me dwell within your tent
now and forevermore
Let me rest beneath your sheltering wings
for you have heard my vows

I will always sing my praise unto your name
for you are my refuge, my strong tower
my God forevermore

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O God, You Are My God (Psalm 63)

December 6, 2015 Comments Off

Composed by Ireland’s great poet Turlough O’Carolan, ‘Eleanor Plunkett’ is a cascading tune set to a psalm of yearning and praise.

LYRICS

O God, You Are My God (Psalm 63)

Tune: Eleanor Plunkett (Turlough O’Carolan)

O God, you are my God, and I long for you
O God, you are my God, and I long for you
My whole being desires you, like a dry land, like a dry land
my soul thirsts for you, my soul thirsts for you
Let me see you in your sanctuary and I will praise
I’ll be satisfied, I’ll be satisfied as long as I live, as long as I live

Your steadfast love is better than life and I will praise you
Your steadfast love is better than life and I will praise you
I will lift my hands and I will call to you in
The watches of the night, watches of the night
My soul clings to you, my soul clings to you
In the shadow of your wings I will sing out for joy
I’ll be satisfied, I’ll be satisfied as long as I live, as long as I live

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You’re the Hope (Psalm 65)

December 15, 2022 Comments Off

LYRICS

You’re the Hope (Psalm 65)

Tune: Rathlin Island (Brian Connors)

You’re the hope of the farthest oceans
And the hope of the ends of earth
You redeem us from all our sorrows
You bring hope when a new day comes

Will you listen and will you answer
When our sorrows overwhelm
When the dark clouds gather round us
You bring light when the morning comes

You’re the hope of the farthest oceans
And the hope of the ends of earth
You redeem us from all our sorrows
You bring hope when a new day comes

By your strength you have formed the mountains
And you silence the stormy sea
When our hearts are in roaring tumult
You bring peace when the evening comes

You’re the hope of the farthest oceans
And the hope of the ends of earth
You redeem us from all our sorrows
You bring hope when a new day comes

Great redeemer of all creation
Great salvation of all that lives
When our spirits are filled with sadness
You bring joy when tomorrow comes

You’re the hope of the farthest oceans
And the hope of the ends of earth
You redeem us from all our sorrows
You bring hope when a new day comes

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Sing a Joyful Song (Psalm 66)

December 15, 2022 Comments Off

LYRICS

Sing a Joyful Song (Psalm 66)

Tune: The Old Cross of Ardboe

Sing a joyful song unto our God
All earth, be glad and sing
Sing out of all God’s gracious ways
Of all the blessings shown
We will raise our voices, sing our praise
Give thanks with grateful hearts
For our loving God has heard our prayers
And answered when we called

You have turned the sea into dry land
And led us from fire and storm
You have kept our feet from stumbling
Led us to a spacious place
May the sound of thanks ring strong and clear
For God has come to help
I will bring to God my offering
My heart, my life, my soul

O Come and hear, and I will tell
What God has done for me
I cried aloud when I was lost
You came to comfort me
You heard my prayer and listened well
When I was all alone
Blessed be our God who hears us now,
Whose love will never cease

Sing a joyful song unto our God
All earth be glad and sing