Category Archives: Psalms

Psalm 63: You Are My God

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Greg Scheer

I was surprised to discover I hadn’t set Psalm 63 to music yet. Perhaps I shied away because I thought the competition would be fierce for a Psalm like this; it is a Psalm full of beautiful sentiments that fairly … Continue reading →

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Psalm 31: In Your Shadow Is My Refuge

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Greg Scheer

Psalm 31 has a place in Holy Week worship because Jesus quoted it from the cross: “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” Though verses 9-13 give a glimpse into the terror of the cross, much of the Psalm focuses … Continue reading →

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Psalm 28: My God, the Rock (tune: ROCKY)

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Greg Scheer

As I explained in a previous blog post, Kate Bluett’s rendition of Psalm 28 was so good that it needed two musical versions to bring out the nuances of the text. I named this hymn tune “ROCKY” because of its … Continue reading →

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Psalm 28: My God, the Rock (tune: SANDY)

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Greg Scheer

I asked Kate Bluett if she would be willing to write a new Psalm text on one of the Psalms I haven’t yet set to music. She came through with skill and style! Psalm 28 is a three-part prayer. It … Continue reading →

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Psalm 119: Gimel

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Greg Scheer

A quick refresher: Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, an acrostic poem with 22 sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This third movement is “Gimel.” As with the previous two movements, the music is all about transformation. … Continue reading →

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Psalm 119: Beth

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Greg Scheer

Continuing our series from Psalm 119, here is Beth. Beth is not only a woman’s name and the title of a ballad by Kiss; it is also the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this second section of Psalm … Continue reading →

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Psalm 119: Aleph

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Greg Scheer

For the last three years, I have been quietly chipping away at a composition of behemoth proportions. It is now time to release it. And I mean “release” in two senses of the word: Over the next few days, I … Continue reading →

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Psalm 21: The Coronation of the King

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Greg Scheer

This is the Psalm that almost ended my relationship with the Psalms. I mean, I’ve made songs out of some pretty difficult Psalms, but this one almost did me in. No, it didn’t have hateful imprecations. (I’m looking at you, … Continue reading →

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Psalm 136: The Gracious Love of God Will Never End

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Greg Scheer

Sorry I haven’t been posting regularly lately. Sometimes the music business gets in the way of the music itself… I’m back with a new Psalm. This draft has been in my idea folder since 2020 when I read that Psalm … Continue reading →

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Psalm 17: Show Me the Wonder of Your Love

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Greg Scheer

In Psalm 17, the Psalmist is being pursued by enemies and calls to God for help. The six-part Psalm includes an initial appeal for God to hear, a proclamation of innocence, a petition (save me!), an accusation of the wicked, … Continue reading →

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