• Psalm 81: Sing to God Our Strength

    Psalm 81: Sing to God Our Strength

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/Ps081-sing_to_god.mp3

    Psalm 81 should be sung more often. In this song, the Psalm’s opening music images take center stage and the more Israel-specific latter verses are recast in a way that modern worshipers can sing them authentically. The song can be sung in both a pop/praise style and as more of a straight hymn, like it is in the demo above. If you’re interested in reading an article that includes this hymn, visit Call to Worship.

  • Psalm 82: Gathered in the Judgment Hall

    Psalm 82: Gathered in the Judgment Hall

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    http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_82-gathered_COS.mp3

    Psalm 82 is fascinating. While it could be understood as an indictment of unjust people, in actuality, it appears to be a judgment against the high council of gods. Who are these “gods” over which God holds court? In the Psalmist’s time, it would have likely referred to the pantheon of gods who were believed to oversee weather, oceans, fertility, and every other aspect of life. I don’t think it would be inappropriate to recast these gods for modern times as “The Man”: The powers that be. The principalities. The forces (inequity, fear, racism, etc) that seem to control our world on some higher, untouchable plane. However, just like in the Psalmist’s time, these gods of our time are not, in fact, untouchable. They bow to the Almighty God.

  • Psalm 82: There Where the Judges Gather

    Psalm 82: There Where the Judges Gather

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    [audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/psalm_82-there_where_the_judges.mp3"][/audio]

    After I led the Psalter Hymnal version of Psalm 82 one Sunday, I was told the tune that accompanied the text was too nice. What this psalm really needed was a tune that matched the text’s “stick it to the man” tone. This tune, appropriately enough, is called STICK IT TO THE MAN. Do punk rock and metrical psalms mix? You be the judge.

    This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Psalm 84: Blessed Beyond Measure

    Psalm 84: Blessed Beyond Measure

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    Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna, MN commissioned this song and choral anthem for their centennial celebration. Their choice of Psalm 84 is perfect for such an event: the Psalm is full of wide-eyed wonder about God’s temple, but also trust in God’s presence on the journey of life. What a beautiful theme for a church that has journeyed for 100 years and is looking to its future!

    The song is what I often call a “blender.” That is, a song that can live comfortably in both traditional and contemporary settings: think “In Christ Alone,” “There Is a Redeemer,” etc. This demo leans toward the contemporary with guitars and drums, but the choral arrangement leans more traditional. Ultimately, I think it will be right at home in both Trinity’s weekly traditional and contemporary services.

  • Psalm 87: Glorious Things

    Psalm 87: Glorious Things

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_087-glorious_things.mp3

    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. 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.

  • Psalm 89: The Sky Belongs to You

    Psalm 89: The Sky Belongs to You

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/Psalm_089-the_sky_belongs_to_you-morgan.mp3

    The lyrics for this song are the work of Michael Morgan, who wrote them 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.

    This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Psalm 9-10: Rise Up, O Lord!

    Psalm 9-10: Rise Up, O Lord!

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_009-010-rise_up_o_lord.mp3

    Though the verse melody for this setting of Psalms 9 and 10 is fairly straightforward, there are lots of harmonic twists and turns in the harmonies underneath it. This feels to me a lot like life: we may put on a good front, but there may be knots in our stomach and a prayer of anguish in our heads.

  • Psalm 90: You Have Been Our Home

    Psalm 90: You Have Been Our Home

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_090-you_have_been_our_home.mp3

    Psalm 90 is a meditation on mortality, judgment, and the eternal love of God. Since Watts already gifted us a rousing rendition of this Psalm, I decided to go in a more tender direction. The chorus focuses on an everlasting God who is with us from generation to generation. Verses 1-2 are about our mortality and the sorrow of sin. But things turn in verse 3 when we remember that, even for all our weakness and failure, God is still very fond of us.

  • Psalm 91: I Remain Secure

    Psalm 91: I Remain Secure

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_091-i_remain_secure.mp3

    Michael Joncas made Psalm 91 famous with his song, “Eagle’s Wings.” You know who else made Psalm 91 famous? Satan.*

    And therein lies the difficulty of setting this Psalm to music: the Psalm can range from sickly sweet sentimentality to a grab for power and control. My song tries to find a middle ground that is honest about the real dangers of this life while trusting God’s love and providence. I chose the repeated phrase “I remain secure” because while bad things can and do harm us, we can trust that the ultimate fate of our lives and souls is in God’s hands.

    *Matthew 4:1-11 The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.

    This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church, please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Psalm 93: Lifted Up

    Psalm 93: Lifted Up

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_093-lifted_up.mp3

    Psalm 93 speaks of God’s majesty, portraying the sea and crashing waves as praising God. Still, as mighty as the sea is, God is mightier still. It is breathtaking imagery.

    This hymn is a free download. If you sing this song in your church, please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.