Psalm Photos - 33 - Music
Psalm 33
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright.
Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.
From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth—
he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.
Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.
Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
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I have always loved music although I feel rather ignorant of making music. I do not have much of a singing voice and I don't know how to play any instruments. Makes life interesting when we are working with children who are learning to play cello, violin, and piano. Music has always, though, been a place that has allowed me to feel and express and understand circumstances of my life. And so as the Psalmist speaks of the realities of God's work in his life and of the ways that he has come to understand God's love and power, he begins with making music to praise and give thanks.
A song that I have always returned to in my faith is one simply called "Hymn" by Jars of Clay. The lyrics speak to so many times in my life -
Oh refuge of my hardened heart Oh fast pursuing lover come As angels dance 'round Your throne My life by captured fare You own
Not silhouette of trodden faith Nor death shall not my steps be guide I'll pirouette upon mine grave For in Your path I'll run and hide
Oh gaze of love so melt my pride That I may in Your house but kneel And in my brokenness to cry Spring worship unto Thee
When beauty breaks the spell of pain The bludgeoned heart shall burst in vain But not when love be pointed king And truth shall Thee forever reign
Sweet Jesus carry me away From cold of night, and dust of day In ragged hour or salt worn eye Be my desire, my well sprung lye
Spring worship unto Thee Spring worship unto Thee