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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1\u00a0<\/sup>Listen to my words, Lord, 3\u00a0<\/sup>In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; 8\u00a0<\/sup>Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness 12\u00a0<\/sup>Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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\u2019s funeral I was especially touched by the laments played by the Queen\u2019s piper at both services. 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For this reflection I have used his \u201cFor the Lord’s day morning\u201d 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 2. O may your spirit guide my feet 3. The ones who love your glorious name (Tune: Warwick (Stanley))<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Updated by Chris Hancock<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 2. O may your spirit guide my feet 3. O Lord I love your holy name Alternative final verse perhaps more in keeping with the original<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 3. Lord, those who love your holy name (Tune: Kilmarnock)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n Hymn tune Kilmarnock – Chris singing. Backing organ track from Hymnary.org and is public domain.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0consider my lament.
2\u00a0<\/sup>Hear my cry for help,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0my King and my God,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for to you I pray.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in the morning I lay my requests before you
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and wait expectantly.
4\u00a0<\/sup>For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with you, evil people are not welcome.
5\u00a0<\/sup>The arrogant cannot stand
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you, Lord, detest.
7\u00a0<\/sup>But I, by your great love,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0toward your holy temple.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0because of my enemies\u2014
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0make your way straight before me.
9\u00a0<\/sup>Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with their tongues they tell lies.
10\u00a0<\/sup>Declare them guilty, O God!
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for they have rebelled against you.
11\u00a0<\/sup>But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that those who love your name may rejoice in you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you surround them with your favor as with a shield.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nReflection<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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 \u2013 let us rejoice in you God for you bless us and surround us with your loving arms. Now and forevermore. \u00a0Amen<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHymns<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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my voice ascending high;
to you I will direct my prayer,
to you lift up my eye.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
to go in righteous ways!
God, make my path of duty straight
and plain before my face.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
shall see their hopes fulfilled;
the mighty God will compass them
with favor as a shield.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
my voice lifted in praise
To you I offer up my prayers
to you I turn my gaze<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
along your righteous ways
That I may see the path to take
to follow you each day<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
my hope in you secure
Your mighty hand will hold me safe
A shield that will endure<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
their hope in you secure
Your mighty hand will hold them safe
A shield that will endure<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n