Their Delight (Psalm 1)

December 15, 2022 Comments Off

This first Psalm, set to the Irish traditional tune BánChnoic Éirann Ó, speaks of being like trees planted in streams of water, where we can flourish and thrive.

LYRICS

Their Delight (Psalm 1)

Tune: BánChnoic Éirann Ó (Irish trad.)

O blessed are the ones who walk God’s way
Their delight is in the love of God
Who meditate by night, by day
Their delight is in the love of God

They are like the trees grown in flowing streams
Their leaves will not wither, their fruits are very sweet
In all that they do they will flourish and thrive
Their delight is in the love of God

O blessed are the ones who mourn and weep
Their delight is in the love of God
Who hunger for justice and thirst for peace
Their delight is in the love of God

They are like the trees grown in flowing streams
Their leaves will not wither, their fruits are very sweet
In all that they do they will flourish and thrive
Their delight is in the love of God

O blessed are the ones who speak with grace
Their delight is in the love of God
Who stand for what is true and right
Their delight is in the love of God

They are like the trees grown in flowing streams
Their leaves will not wither, their fruits are very sweet
In all that they do they will flourish and thrive
Their delight is in the love of God

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Majestic (Psalm 8)

December 15, 2022 Comments Off

A Psalm of praise to the Creator of the wonders of nature, set to the Irish tune ‘Far, Far Beyond the Mountain,’ we hear anew the sobering reminder to show respect and dignity to the world we live in.

LYRICS

Majestic (Psalm 8)

Tune: Far, Far Beyond Yon Mountains (Irish trad.)

Majestic is your name O God
Your name in all the earth
Majestic is your name O God
Your name in all the earth
When I see the work of your fingers
The moon, the stars, the sun
All things on earth are in their place
Majestic is your name

Majestic is your name O God
Your name in all the earth
Majestic is your name O God
Your name in all the earth
Who are mortals that you consider
Or that you think of them
They are underneath the angels
Majestic is your name

Majestic is your name O God
Your name in all the earth
Majestic is your name O God
Your name in all the earth
You have placed creation in our care
All that has life and breath
May we show respect and dignity
Majestic is your name

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How Long (Psalm 13)

December 16, 2022 Comments Off

These ancient words of lament, combined with a haunting traditional melody, express the human longing to see God’s face in times of sorrow.

LYRICS

How Long (Psalm 13)

Tune: The Lament of the Three Marys/Coaineadh na dTrí Muire (Irish Trad.)

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long, how long, O Lord?
Will you hide your face away from me
How long, how long, O Lord?

How long must I bear the anguish of my soul?
How long, how long, O Lord?
And have sorrow in my heart through all of my days?
How long, how long, O Lord?

Consider and answer, O Lord my God
How long, how long, O Lord?
Give light to my eyes, or I’ll sleep as in death
How long, how long, O Lord?

But I trust in your love, and my heart shall one day rejoice
How long, how long, O Lord?
I will sing to the Lord, who is gracious and loving
How long, how long, O Lord?

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The Heavens Declare (Psalm 19)

December 16, 2022 Comments Off

A soaring melody brings a lightness to this beautiful psalm about God’s revelation in both creation and scripture.

LYRICS

The Heavens Declare (Psalm 19)

Tune: The Lark in the Clear Air

The heavens declare your works
And the skies proclaim your glory
Day by day they tell of you
Night by night your wisdom reveal
They speak but without words
No sound is heard from within them
Yet their words go to all the earth
And their voice to all the world

In the heav’ns God has placed the sun
From the dawn until the gloaming
Like a champion on her course
With joy and strength goes forth
God’s words refresh the soul
Making wise the simple-hearted
Giving joy from their radiance
They will shine forevermore

They are more precious than gold
More precious than pure gold
They are sweeter than honeycomb
And to keep them, great reward
May the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing in your sight
For you are my Redeemer
And my Rock in whom I trust

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My God, My God (Psalm 22)

December 6, 2015 Comments Off

Set to the Irish air ‘Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore’, this song captures the lament of the psalm while adding a drive and energy that brings to light the hope offered at its conclusion.

LYRICS

My God, My God (Psalm 22)

Tune: Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore

My God, my God; my God, my God
Why have you forsaken me?
Why are so far from saving me
from the groaning words I speak?
O God I cry by day, by night,
but Lord, you do not hear
My God, my God; my God, my God
Why have you forsaken me?

I am scorned by all, despised by all
Their insults hurled at me
“Oh let the Lord in whom he trusts
deliver him from this!”
Yet from the womb you brought me out
and made me trust in you
My God, my God; my God, my God
Do not be far from me.

Poured out like water from a sieve
Heart melted away within
My strength is dry, like shards of clay
I am in the dust of death
But you O Lord, be not far off
Oh strength, come quick to help
My God, my God; My God, my God
Deliver me, I pray

Your name, O Lord, I will declare
for you have heard my cry
For you have heard the suffering one: you have not hid your face
The poor will share a feast with you
And they’ll be satisfied
My God, my God, My God, my God
Your name I will declare

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The Lord’s My Shepherd (Psalm 23)

December 6, 2015 Comments Off

This beloved psalm, describing God shepherding us through green pastures and dark valleys, is set to the well-known air, “The Parting Glass.”

LYRICS

The Lord’s My Shepherd (Psalm 23)

Tune: The Parting Glass

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
He lets me rest in pastures green
He leadeth me by waters still
He restores my soul; restores my soul

Even though I walk through the darkest vale
I will fear no evil, for you’re with me
Your rod and staff, protect and guide
You comfort me; you comfort me

You prepare a table, a feast for me
In the presence of my enemies
You anoint my head with holy oil
My cup overflows; it overflows

Surely goodness and God’s mercy great
Shall follow me all my days of life
And I’ll dwell within the house of God
My whole life long; my whole life long

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For I Wait (Psalm 25)

December 15, 2022 Comments Off

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For I Wait (Psalm 25)

Tune: For Ireland I’ll Not Tell Her Name

To you I will lift up my soul
In you, O my God, do I trust
In the stillness I wait for your voice
To guide me in what I should do

And lead me to do what is right
And teach me your loving ways
Lead me onward into your truth
For I wait for you all the day long

Remember your mercy and love
For they are from ages of old
Do not think of how we have strayed
But forgive us when we have done wrong

And lead me to do what is right
And teach me your loving ways
Lead me onward into your truth
For I wait for you all the day long

For those who follow your ways
For those who do walk in your paths
Is friendship with God who will save
Who will guide us in love and in grace

And lead me to do what is right
And teach me your loving ways
Lead me onward into your truth
For I wait for you all the day long

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The Lord is My Light (Psalm 27)

December 6, 2015 Comments Off

The air ‘Down in Yon Banke’ is originally a wordless Scottish country dance song, and in this rendition becomes a prayer for God’s eternal presence.

LYRICS

The Lord is My Light (Psalm 27)

Tune: Down in Yon Banke

The Lord is my light and my salvation
Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?
Enemies will stumble and fall,
My heart will not fear, though war should rage

One thing I ask, one thing I seek
To dwell in the house of the Lord all of my life
To behold the beauty of God all the days of my life

The Lord is my light and my salvation
Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?
Enemies will stumble and fall
My heart will not fear, though war should rage

Hear me when I call, O Lord
Be merciful to me and answer me
Your face, O Lord, I seek
I seek your face

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You Have Turned My Sorrow (Psalm 30)

December 6, 2015 Comments Off

Proclaiming God’s power to transform sorrow into ‘dancing and song,’ this psalm is sung to the uplifting melody, “Green Grows the Laurel.”