Category: Psalms

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Art Music Choir Church Commissions Live Psalms

Let the Peoples Praise You

From 2000 to 2005, I worked at Northwestern College in Iowa, teaching music and worship in the music department, and leading chapel worship and overseeing worship teams for campus ministries.

In my second year there, a new president was inaugurated, and I was commissioned to compose a piece for the ceremony. I hadn’t thought about it much in the few decades since, but I recently found a recording from the inauguration and decided to clean it up and post it here.

I had forgotten how much I like it!

The lyrics are adapted from Psalm 67–a perfect Psalm of thanksgiving for a fall worship ceremony in the heartland of America. The meter is 7/8 throughout. I never strayed from a 2+2+3 rhythm; still, the choir hated me for the odd meter! The rhythmic vitality really drives the piece; it feels exciting and exuberant. The harmonic style is–I don’t know what to call it–pan modal? But I like it. There is a lot of bite in the harmonies, but they’re not so complicated the choir can’t find their notes or it leaves the audience scratching their heads.

It feels like it was an important step forward in my composing.

Categories
Church Congregational Songs Demos Jazz Psalms

Psalm 73: You, O God, Are Mine

I’ve worked with Linda Bonney Olin a number of times before. Her Psalm settings are always singable distillations of the original Psalm–direct and heartfelt. Psalm 73 presented her with significant challenges. It is essentially a Psalm of envy and complaint: “Why do I keep myself pure when I can see the wicked thriving all around me?” The Psalmist answers the question by the end of the Psalm: “My reward is a life spent close to God.” Linda turns this into the repeated refrain: “You, O God, are mine.” Beautiful.

I set the text as a jazz ballad because it felt like jazz’s harmonic tension, coupled with a soothing, introspective rhythm, could hold the tension of bitter thoughts and trust simultaneously. I especially like the lift into a new key half way through, following Linda’s structure of complaint/trust.

While I strive to make my hymns simple enough for the average church, this is right at the edge of what most congregations could sing. Maybe I’ll turn it into a choir anthem!

1. Bitter thoughts once filled my mind,
yet you held my hand.
You, O God, are with me still.
You, O God, are mine.

2. On your counsel I rely.
All your ways are good.
You, O God, will be my guide.
You, O God, are mine.

3. Faithless ones will be destroyed.
But I cling to you—
you, O God, my one desire.
You, O God, are mine.

4. Taking refuge in your arms,
I proclaim your deeds.
You, O God, have rescued me.
You, O God, are mine.

5. Though my body may grow weak,
though my heart may fail,
you, O God, will be my strength.
You, O God, are mine.

6. You my portion here on earth,
you my home in heav’n,
you, O God, are all I need.

Categories
Church Congregational Songs Demos Jazz Psalms

Psalm 75: Your Love Enfolds Each Yearning Heart

I continue to work my way through Michael Morgan’s Psalms, while also building toward a future jazz/gospel Psalm album. Those two things came together in this new song, a warm jazz ballad of Psalm 75.

One of the things I love about Michael Morgan’s Psalms is that he doesn’t shy away from difficult sections like, “In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs,” but he somehow finds a way to place it in the context of a tender, loving God who wants the best for us.

Interesting composition story*: I often write a few completely different versions of a song. I write them quickly, without much editing. That allows me some subjectivity and gives me options to choose from as I move forward. In this case, I began by identifying the basic rhythm I heard in the text: 3 unstressed syllables leading to a stressed syllable. (O God, your DEEDS are un-sur-PASSED, etc.)

That led to a first draft in a modal style. It had its charms, but also had some range issues. The second attempt was a pentatonic melody that was lovely, but reminded me of some things I’ve written before. Today I sat down at the piano and this jazz melody poured out almost as fast as I could write it. It combines some of the better features of the earlier tunes, but has a more interesting harmonic structure and satisfying form. Voila! I fired up my musical robots (Band-in-a-Box) and produced this quick demo by the end of the day. Very satisfying.

O God, your deeds are unsurpassed;
no richer grace can earth impart.
Your Name is near; you hold us fast.
Your love enfolds each yearning heart,
your love enfolds each yearning heart.
 
1. Remove our pride lest we must taste
the judgment cup of bitter gall.
Let not our bold ambitions take
the praise from you, who gives us all. Refrain

2. In truth, all judgment comes from you,
whatever earthly courts decree;
the evil by your justice fall;
the righteous through your grace are free. Refrain
 
3. Help us to know humility,
to follow you in all your ways.
From self-conceit, Lord, set us free,
to know ourselves and sing your praise. Refrain

*Let’s be honest: there has never been an interesting composition story.

Categories
Church Congregational Songs Demos Jazz Psalms

Psalm 89: The Sky Belongs to You

I wanted to feel like I had accomplished something last week, so Friday afternoon I recorded a quick demo of a new Psalm setting. (And then promptly didn’t have time to post it…)

The lyrics are the work of Michael Morgan and were written for the Timeless Psalter to the tune of TOULON. While that tune’s rugged beauty portrays the regal aspects of Psalm 89:1-8 well, I thought there was room for a more gentle interpretation of the Psalm and Michael’s metrical version of it.

Working in a jazz ballad style allowed the tenderness I was hoping for and also gave me lots of room to move harmonically. I love how the key of C quickly turns into a winding path that eventually leads to a chorus in E. No F#. Wait…Bb? And then back to C. And yet for all the twists and turns, it remains quite singable.

1. For all your loving acts, O Lord, I sing;
my mouth will shout your faithfulness and care;
and heaven’s grateful host will honor bring
to you, who wondrous gifts so freely share.

2. What other god of earth and sky can boast
the great and awesome blessings you afford?
What other mighty one among the host
deserves such praise that we should call him “Lord?”

The sky belongs to you, the earth, and all
that fill its fertile lands from shore to shore.
Your arm with strength will lift us when we fall,
and righteousness endure for evermore.

3. Send down true justice from your lofty throne,
and all-infusive light shine on our ways,
for only by your will such joy we own,
and for your gracious favor give you praise!

Categories
Church Congregational Songs Demos Psalms

Psalm 87: Glorious Things

I collaborated with Michael Morgan many times before his death in 2022. Not long before he died, he sent me a collection of new Psalm settings he had written after the publication of his collection of all 150 Psalms, Psalter for Christian Worship. I have received permission from his estate to continue to write music for his Psalm settings; I like the idea of keeping his memory and work alive after his death.

In this latest collaboration, I used a setting of Psalm 87 that he wrote for Emily Brink. That made my work even more special, as Emily is a long-time friend.

Psalm 87 is a beautiful and surprising prophecy of how God will draw all nations to the holy city of Zion. Long-time enemies like Babylon and Philistia will miraculously be welcomed into God’s family. Psalm 87 goes so far as to say that God loves these outsiders enough to fudge the royal registry: “This one was born in Zion.” This is a lovely reminder that God’s understanding of insiders and outsiders has always been more gracious than ours. Michael Morgan captures this as “generations to be numbered, sons and daughters yet unborn” are “future heirs of Israel.” Beautiful.

I matched these hopeful, expansive lyrics with a buoyant melody in 3/4 whose tempo marking is “bright and regal.” It can be sung as a four-part hymn (Michael was an organist) or as a folk-ish praise song (I’m a guitarist). In the demo above, I’ve combined both of these, creating a style that has a bit of a Celtic or even Medieval flair.

1. Zion, fair and glorious city,
sanctuary, grand and sure,
where God’s chosen dwell in splendor,
ever sheltered and secure.

Glorious things of you are spoken;
Jacob’s halls no more excel.
On your holy mount are cherished
future heirs of Israel.

2. Generations to be numbered,
sons and daughters yet unborn
rise to greet their God in wonder,
looking to the sunlit morn. Chorus

3. Singers raise their songs of gladness;
dancers leap with joy anew;
Through the seasons everchanging
all our springs are found in you! Chorus

Categories
Church Congregational Songs Demos Psalms

Psalm 32: When I Kept Silent

Not more than a few weeks after I completed a song based upon Psalm 32, my long-time lyrical collaborator, Doug Gay, sent me a beautiful rendering of the same Psalm. “Well,” I thought, “you can never get enough of Psalm 32.”

Whereas “Blessed Is the One” has an almost Middle Eastern groove, “When I Kept Silent” is an understated Celtic ballad.

Give a listen to both versions and let me know what you think. Is there one you like better as a listener? One you’d be more likely to use in your congregation? Do you hear different nuances of Psalm 32’s message in the two songs?

1. Happy are all those whose sins are removed.
Blessed are all souls at home in God’s love.
Happy are all folk whose conscience is clear.
Blessed are all those whose hearts are sincere.

When I kept silent I wasted away,
burdened by guilt every night, every day.
When I acknowledged my sin to the Lord,
I was forgiven, I was restored.

2. Come then, you faithful, and pray now to God
when trouble rises all round like a flood.
God is your shelter and your hiding place.
God will surround you with strength and with grace.

3. God says, “I’ll teach you the ways you should choose.”
God says, “I’ll show you the paths you should use.
Walk in my wisdom, my joy will be yours.
Trust me and follow, my mercy is sure.”

Categories
Church Congregational Songs FAWM 2025 Psalms

Psalm 29: The Voice of the Lord

Psalm 29 paints a picture of God and nature intertwined. But more than simply embodying God in the thunder and lightning, the psalm shows the world to be God’s very temple. While some theological frameworks paint the earth as fundamentally tainted by sin, to be left behind when we’re transported to heaven, Psalm 29 says that God’s presence makes the stuff of life sacred–blessed.

Psalm 29 begins with two “ascribe to the Lord” verses and ends with two verses of “the Lord is enthroned.” Between those bookends are seven “the voice of the Lord” statements. I stick close to this poetic form in my song.

Musically, this song is an easy-to-sing melody with fairly run-of-the-mill chords. But I’ve fleshed it out on this recording with all sorts of fun musical doodads: a section accompanied by four basses, interjections of arpeggiating guitars, and synthesized swamp gas.

  1. The voice of the Lord is on the waters.
    The voice of the Lord moves o’er the deep.
    The voice of the Lord resounds through the sky;
    thunders across the sea.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you creatures of heaven,
ascribe to the Lord all the glory and might.
Ascribe to the Lord all the splendor of his name
and worship the Lord on high.

  1. The voice of the Lord is filled with power.
    The forests fall down before their King.
    The voice of the Lord, the fiercest of joys,
    making the mountains leap. Chorus
  2. The voice of the Lord is like the lightning;
    it flashes across the desert sky.
    The earth has become the temple of God.
    “Glory!” the people cry. Chorus
  3. The Lord is enthroned above the water.
    The Lord is enthroned upon the sky.
    The voice of the Lord, it hallows the earth;
    blesses all humankind. Chorus
Categories
Church Congregational Songs Psalms

Psalm 135: Praise the Lord!

I’m planning a recording project and realized I needed a setting of Psalm 135 to fill in the sequence from 120-136. You’ll remember that Psalms 120-134 are the Psalms of Ascent; 135-136 are often considered addendums to the collection.

Like many of the Psalms that surround it, Psalm 135 is a call to praise, pointing to creation, the calling of Israel, and deliverance from enemies as reasons for praise. It was a trick not getting bogged down in details like the killing of Og, king of Bashan, while still retaining the overall sense of the Psalm. As often happens, the discipline of trying to find rhymes and rhythms that express the Psalm in modern language led to some fresh imagery and phrases. “Dwell” and “Hallel” for the win!

Praise the Lord,
all you servants of the Lord.
Praise the Lord,
those who serve in the house of God.
Praise the Lord,
for God has claimed us as his own.
Praise the Lord!

1. Our God has done as he has pleased.
For joy he formed and filled the seas.
The mountains grandeur and the heaven’s expanse
all leapt to life at his command.

God’s breath blew clouds into the skies;
lightening and rain made their reply.
And then God carved a path upon the earth;
called us and led his people forth! [Chorus]

2. Your name endures forevermore.
Each generation joins the song.
Our God is known for his unending love.
His tender mercy covers all.

Some trust in idols made of gold,
but we will trust a living God
who leads us on to where his glory dwells,
where we will join the great Hallel. [Chorus]

Categories
Church Congregational Songs Demos Psalms

Psalm 26: Upheld

Psalm 26 is like the prayer version of Psalm 1. Whereas Psalm 1 states “Blessed is the one…” (who does not walk, stand, or sit with the wicked), Psalm 26 makes it personal: “I do not…” (sit or associate with evildoers). On the one hand, it is not flattering to hear someone extol their own virtues. On the other hand, the Psalmist is praying an honest prayer many of us have prayed: “God, I really try to do the right thing–please save me from the trouble I’m in!”

What drew my attention most as I poured over Psalm 26 is the final verse: “My feet stand on level ground.” Many Psalms talk about God putting them on solid rock, but only this and Psalm 143 use the phrase “level ground.” It echoes the words of Isaiah 40: “Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.” To me, the image says that God is making a way, clearing a path for us. I like that.

This “level ground” image seemed to ask for confident, relaxed music. I chose a 6/8 gospel groove which allows for a bit of crooning while still having some twists and turns that keep things from getting schmalzy. I especially like how verse 4 shifts harmonically, mirroring the impassioned cry for mercy, then returns to the level ground of the final chorus.

You have set my feet upon steady ground.
I am standing firm in my refuge strong.
Let the saints join in, let their praise resound.
We are upheld by our God.

1. Uphold me, O God, for I’ve trusted in you.
Test me, for my faith has not faltered.
You know me, and my heart is forever true. Chorus

2. Uphold me in your love, for I’m living in you.
You’re faithful and you keep me from evil.
It beckons, but you always have led me through. Chorus

3. Lord, cleanse me again and your wonders I will tell.
I’ll praise you in the midst of your people,
proclaiming your great love where your glory dwells. Chorus

4. Lord, don’t leave my soul to strangers
who scheme throughout the night.
Lord, redeem me, keep me blameless,
have mercy on my life! Chorus

Categories
Church Congregational Songs Demos Psalms

Psalm 41: Blessed Are the Weak

Unlike its neighbors, Psalm 40 (“I waited patiently”) and 42 (“As the deer”), Psalm 41 has no memorable catchphrases or popular songs based on it. But that doesn’t mean it should be ignored!

Psalm 41 is a prayer for healing. It seems even the Psalmist believes the illness is due to sin. The dire circumstances cause the Psalmist to pray fervently, trusting God to forgive and heal. Unfortunately, others use this as an opportunity to kick him while he’s down. You can almost feel the Schadenfreude as enemies wait for him to die, cheerfully gossiping and expecting even the Psalmist’s memory to vanish. Even his friends take part in the hate-mongering. Still the Psalmist trusts, announcing a miraculous restoration even on what appears to be a death bed.

My setting of the Psalm focuses on the weak: “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.” This strikes me as very similar to Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” God has always sided with the poor, the weak, and the outsiders. Psalm 41 indicates that God will care for those who help the weak when they experience their own time of need.

1. Have mercy, O my God!
I’ve sinned, but you can heal.
My enemies encircle me
to watch me disappear.

Blessed are the weak,
and those who care for the weak.
God will care for them in their time of need.
God bless the weak.
God bless the weak.

2. I hear them whispering now:
“He earned this grave disease.
He’ll never rise from where he lies.”
And even friends agree.

3. But you, my one true friend–
you’ve heard and will restore.
You’ll raise me up in power and love
and keep me evermore.

Blessed be the One
who hears our deep lament.
Eternal, everlasting God:
Amen. Amen.