Psalm 5 – Reflection and Hymn/Song
Our Lent Sunday bonus this week is another of the Psalms in words and music reflections. The recording of my composition is a little “rough” for which I apologise but hopefully it will be listenable enough to allow you to hear my intentions for it.
Psalm 5 (NIV)
For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.
1 Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Reflection
Some of you will know that I have a Scottish heritage through my Dad. As a result I have always had a fondness for the music of the bagpipes. Many dislike the sound but to me the drone note topped with the melody line, particularly when the composition is a lament, evokes great emotion in me. So as I watched the Queen’s funeral I was especially touched by the laments played by the Queen’s piper at both services.
The commentators shared with us the fact that the Queen had her piper play for 15 minutes under her bedroom window every day. This spoke to me as I reflected on Psalm 5 which calls us to start each day in prayer. The Psalm is also set for Pipes although I am sure not bagpipes! The drone a positive repetition of our cares and concerns overlaid by the sweet melody of our prayers of adoration to our God, who loves and cares for each one of us. Both are needed and together lift prayer from a list of requests and demands to a complete sharing of time with God in supplication and awesome wonder.
I was particularly moved by the walking away of the piper and the fading of the music as he did so. It spoke to me of how our prayers can sometimes fade but are never lost. How with a simple turn we once again swell the sound of praise bringing ourselves back into the presence of God where we can hear the heavenly music of prayer echo in chorus with our own prayers.
So as we pray today may we find the words and images which weave together both a hymn of praise intertwined with the cares and concerns of our lives, so that we are wholly engaged in our conversation and relationship with God. For as the Psalmist says – let us rejoice in you God for you bless us and surround us with your loving arms. Now and forevermore. Amen
Hymns
Once again I have used an Isaac Watts settings for the Psalms. Another absolutely beautiful hymn. Inspired in the mind of one of our pantheon of exceptional hymn writers.
For this reflection I have used his “For the Lord’s day morning” setting for Psalm 5. Below are the original words and a version where I have once again taken the liberty of updating the language and some of the terminology used.
The traditional setting for the words is the tune Warwick it can perhaps be more easily sung to Kilmarnock which fits the feel I was trying to achieve with the words in the more modern setting.
Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)
- Lord, in the morning you shall hear
my voice ascending high;
to you I will direct my prayer,
to you lift up my eye.
2. O may your spirit guide my feet
to go in righteous ways!
God, make my path of duty straight
and plain before my face.
3. The ones who love your glorious name
shall see their hopes fulfilled;
the mighty God will compass them
with favor as a shield.
(Tune: Warwick (Stanley))
Updated by Chris Hancock
- Lord, in the morning you will hear
my voice lifted in praise
To you I offer up my prayers
to you I turn my gaze
2. O may your spirit guide my feet
along your righteous ways
That I may see the path to take
to follow you each day
3. O Lord I love your holy name
my hope in you secure
Your mighty hand will hold me safe
A shield that will endure
Alternative final verse perhaps more in keeping with the original
3. Lord, those who love your holy name
their hope in you secure
Your mighty hand will hold them safe
A shield that will endure
(Tune: Kilmarnock)
Hymn tune Kilmarnock – Chris singing. Backing organ track from Hymnary.org and is public domain.
Hymn Tune Warwick – Music Group singing and playing.
A hymn for Psalm 5
Chris Hancock
In the morning I ask you, my prayers for the day
By your grace I am near you, by your love I stay
I bow down in your presence, my voice gives you praise
Please guard me and guide me, each day in your ways
In your presence you shield me and bid me to stay
No sadness nor sorrow will lead me away
For you watch and protect me as I walk your way
Lifting praises to heaven for blessings this day
Your joy will be with me whate’r this day brings
I rejoice in your temple where heav’n and earth sing
we will all raise our praises to God who is high
Singing loud allelujahs for all you supply
We will love one another as you told us to
So that in one another we will all see you
In the hand of friendship and hearts of concern
We will all glimpse heaven in stranger and friend
Tune Farewell to Tarwathie – I intended to re-record this but my recent indisposition has delayed this. So just Chris singing – backing track from free-scores.com and public domain
