Category: 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

Church Congregational Songs Demos Psalms

Psalm 41: Blessed Are the Weak

Post author By Greg Scheer
Post date June 28, 2024
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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.

Church Congregational Songs Demos Jazz Psalms

Psalm 63: You Are My God

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 beg to be sung:
“I thirst for you.”
“My whole being longs for you.”
“Your love is better than life.”
“I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

Interestingly, there are relatively few songs based on Psalm 63 given its popularity:
“Step by Step,” made famous by Rich Mullins
“O God, You Are My God Alone” by the Iona Community
“My Soul Is Thirsting” by Michael Joncas (my favorite)

As I sat down with the Psalm, I was immediately struck by its yearning tone. There is a strong sense of longing throughout. Too often, our faith is fueled by duty, guilt, or habit. It is refreshing to hear the Psalmist expressing faith in such a passionate way. I decided the best musical style to portray this passion would be jazz. Jazz has juicy chords and unresolved melody notes that make it a rich emotional palette. In fact, in the first 6 bars, the melody is made up almost entirely of notes that don’t match the chord. This creates a sense of longing that never quite resolves. I know this elusive quality will make the song hard for congregations to sing; it may be more appropriate sung by the music leaders only.

1. You, O God, you are my God.
With all my heart I’m seeking you.
My thirsty soul, it longs for you.

I have beheld your glory.
My life is filled with your love.
With every breath I am singing.
My hands, I am lifting.
I’ll never stop praising you.

2. For you, O God, you are my God.
Throughout the night I dwell on you.
And though I sleep, I dwell with you.

I shelter here in the shadows,
secure beneath your wing.
I cling to you for my safety
from all those who hate me.
I’ll never stop praising you.

3. For you, O God, you are my God.
With all I am, I rejoice in you.
O God, my joy is found in you.

Church Congregational Songs Demos Psalms

Psalm 31: In Your Shadow Is My Refuge

Post author By Greg Scheer
Post date March 22, 2024
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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 on trust in God’s deliverance with images like refuge, fortress, trust, and (safe in your) dwelling. It ends with the admonition: “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” It is a great comfort to me to know that I can meditate and hope in the same scriptures that Jesus recited in his time of deepest distress.

I asked Kate Bluett to work with me on this Psalm and she wrote a lovely setting of the text. It captures not only the heart of the Psalm, but also the structure, from plea for help, to description of affliction, to final words of hope.

Kate had mentioned to me her surprise at how triumphal the Psalm is, given its place in the passion narrative. I assumed this triumph would manifest itself in a rousing, sturdy melody. Instead, I found myself writing a flowing, confident tune that is full of quiet courage.

1. In your shadow is my refuge–
let me not be put to shame.
In your righteousness, my shelter–
listen and make haste to save!
In your name, what joy to hear it,
all my trust, O guard and guide.
In your hands I place my spirit:
O God of truth, redeem my life!

2. I have not served gold or idols;
no, I place my trust in you.
You who see my pain and trials,
surely you will see me through.
Though my days wear out in sorrow,
though my years wind down in sighs,
still you hold all my tomorrows.
O God of truth, redeem my life!

3. See my brothers and my sisters
turn away from me in fear.
Every day I hear their whispers;
shame surrounds me everywhere.
Yet I trust in you forever–
yes, your light on me will shine.
They forget, but you remember:
O God of truth, redeem my life!

4. In your goodness to your children,
I sit down as to a feast.
In your presence I am hidden,
safe from all my enemies.
Though I said in fear and hurting,
I was cut off from your sight,
yet you heard me in your mercy:
The God of truth redeemed my life!

Church Congregational Songs Demos Psalms

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

Post author By Greg Scheer
Post date February 23, 2024
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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 sturdy musical feel and the references to God as the Rock in the text. It made sense that the other tune–so shifty and slippery–should be called “SANDY.” I still can’t decide which I like better. ROCKY is muscular and to the point, and likely easier for congregations to sing. SANDY is more sophisticated musically but may be more suited to a soloist.

I will let you decide. Feel free to leave a comment explaining which is your favorite and why.

1. My God, the Rock on which I stand,
I cry to you in need.
My refuge, see me lift my hands:
Do not be deaf to me!
Not silent as the stony ground,
unmoving when I cry:
Into the pit I shall go down
if stone-like you stand by.

2. Do not cast me away, O Lord,
with those whose tongues are sharp,
who speak of peace and long for war
within their hardened hearts.
Give them instead what they deserve,
and tear their evil down.
Let them and all their wicked works
lie scattered on the ground!

3. But you, O God, are stone and strength;
our refuge never fails.
You bear us up the breadth and length
of all our days and cares.
Blest be the Lord who heard my cry:
my strength, my shield, my Rock.
Oh, let my song rise up on high
to praise the might of God!

Church Congregational Songs Demos Jazz Psalms

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

Post author By Greg Scheer
Post date February 23, 2024
1 Comment on Psalm 28: My God, the Rock (tune: SANDY)

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 begins with a plea to help the righteous, continues by contrasting the fate of the wicked, and ends with preemptive praise to the God who saves. Kate follows this structure in her beautiful rendition of the Psalm. Notice how she teases out the image of God the Rock, as opposed to the stony silence of a god who doesn’t hear people’s prayers.

I actually wrote four tunes for Kate’s text as I tried to imagine how to bring the song to life. I quickly threw out two of them, but I simply couldn’t decide between the other two. The first (this one) is a jazzy melody that never quite comes to rest in relation to the chords. This gives the song a mournful, prayerful character that brings out the pathos of Kate’s text. The other tune (wait for a separate blog post) is more rustic and forceful, which gives the song confidence in the midst of a trial.

Art Music Psalms

Psalm 119: Gimel

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. Sometimes you turn a corner and suddenly a new vista opens before you; other times the transformation takes place slowly, like a sunrise.

All of this was recorded by me, “in the box.” That is, anything that isn’t my voice, guitar, bass, or the upright piano 8th notes is a sample from Logic Pro. I would have loved to record two classical violin soloists, a jazz/fusion pianist, a ton of percussion, and strings in the studio, but alas… “Done,” as they say, “is the new great.” Even with so many digitized parts, I hope you can hear a little spark of what I was hearing in my head.

ג Gimel

Reward your servant
that I may live to treasure your Word.
Open my eyes
that I may gaze upon the wonders of your law.

I am a stranger on this earth.
Oh, do not conceal your commands from me!
I am consumed—
consumed with longing for your law.

You scorn the scornful—
those who disregard your way.
Remove the disgrace of the arrogant
for I have followed your path.

Though a council of the mighty speaks against me,
your servant will dwell upon your Word.
Your words are my delight.
Your law is my counsel.

Art Music Psalms

Psalm 119: Beth

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 119 the Psalmist continues an acrostic meditation on God’s law.

Musically, this is my favorite of the three movements. There is just a lot of interesting stuff going on, with twists and turns throughout. You wouldn’t think that rock, slinky funk, choral, classical piano, the Chinese erhu, and minimalism could hang together coherently in the same 11-minute musical frame, but somehow they do.

All the tracks were recorded by me in my home studio using Logic Pro.

ב Beth

How can the young remain on the path of the pure?
By walking in the way of your Word.

With all my heart I seek you.
Let me not wander from your way.
Within my heart, I treasure your Word.
Let me not sin against you.

Blessed are you, my Lord.
Oh, that I would learn your law.

I recount with my lips
all the words of your mouth.
I rejoice in the way
of your Word more than wealth.

I meditate upon your precepts
and gaze upon your paths.
I will delight in your law.
I will not neglect your Word.

Art Music Psalms

Psalm 119: Aleph

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 will release the recordings of the first three movements; I will also release the project in the sense that I need to let it go so I can turn my attention to other music that is waiting to be written.

Here is how I described the project in its early stages:

Psalm 119—often called “The Great Psalm”—is the longest Psalm, an acrostic poem on God’s law, with one eight-line verse for each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

For setting Psalm 119 to music, I’ve decided on a different path than I’ve used with previous Psalm settings. This will not be congregational or choral; instead, it will be a recorded meditation weaving words and music together in a mesmerizing, ever-transforming musical mosaic. Each of the 22 sections will be a 5–10-minute musical movement that will be both independent and interlocking with the movements around it.

What will the music sound like? Imagine Mike Oldfield, J.S. Bach, and Steve Reich collaborating while on retreat at a monastery, composing music to be performed by the Penguin Café Orchestra, Pinback, and Polyphonic Spree and sung by Taizé, the Bulgarian Women’s Choir, and Keur Moussa. Like that.

I am writing my own translation of Psalm 119 that attempts to honor the original text while remaining accessible to modern ears. My version is unmetered and unrhymed, but with a latent inner rhythm.

Here is the first movement, Aleph. Most of the tracks were recorded by me in my home studio; additional tracks were recorded at Local Legend Recording with the help of these musicians:

Clara Becksvoort (9 years old)
Men’s Trio: Chris Snyder, Paul Ryan, Jordan Clegg
Theo Janga Ndawillie, drums
Josh Kaufman, guitar and mixing

א Aleph

Blessed are those whose way is pure,
who walk in the Word of the LORD.
Blessed are those who keep God’s will
and seek the LORD with all their heart—
who do no wrong,
for they follow God’s way.

You have established your Word
to be followed wholeheartedly.

Oh, that my path would be built on your Word;
then will the whole of your law bring no shame.

I will praise you with a pure heart,
for I learn from your righteousness.
I will walk in the Word of the LORD.
O God, do not leave me alone.

Church Congregational Songs Demos Psalms

Psalm 21: The Coronation of the King

Post author By Greg Scheer
Post date January 10, 2024
No Comments on Psalm 21: The Coronation of the King

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, 137:9!) It didn’t have laundry lists of historical events. (It’s okay 105, that stuff is important.) Psalm 21 was just…uninspiring. (Am I allowed to say that?)

The Psalm is composed of two broad sections. The first establishes that the king was anointed by God and relies on God for strength and victory. This is no small thing in a theocracy–the fortunes of the people are tied to the fortunes of the king. The second section basically says, “God will kill all our enemies.”

For months, I studied the Psalm and wondered how I could recast this for today. It finally occurred to me that the Psalm could be understood through a Christological lense. In Psalm 21, a great king is celebrated. In Israel’s context, the first great king is David and the final king will be the Messiah. Things began to fall into place. Christ is the King of kings who sits at God’s right hand and has all authority on heaven and earth. Read this way, the felling of foes in the original Psalm can be understood as Jesus enduring the crucifixion and claiming the final victory in the resurrection.

This theme of crowning Jesus and celebrating his victory makes this song appropriate for Christ the King or Ascension Sunday.

1. The coronation of the King
in matchless majesty
resounds throughout the earth and heaven,
and spreads from sea to sea.

The One who reveled in God’s strength
and waited on God’s grace
has now been crowned the King of kings,
a never-ending reign.

2. This King has known his people’s pain,
the rage of enemies.
Though humbled for a time, he rose
to claim the victory.

Your people sing to you, our King,
exalted in God’s might.
For now you reign eternally,
enthroned with God on high.

Those who trust in God Almighty
find a love that is unfailing.