Showing 61–70 of 95 results
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Psalm 127: Wait for the Work of the Lord
[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/psalm_127-wait_for_the_work_of_the_lord.mp3"][/audio]We have a strange relationship to work. Some of us are workaholics. Others are “working for the weekend.”
Of all the Pilgrim Psalms, Psalm 127 provides us a theology of work. As Eugene Peterson points out in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, the first thing the Bible tells us about God is that God created–God worked. Work is at the core of who we are as creatures in God’s image. Unlike God, however, we have limits to what we can achieve with our work. Psalm 127 tells us that we can keep watch, but only God keeps us secure. We can plant, but only God can give the harvest. Peterson compares frantic activity on the one hand and detached laziness on the other. In between those extremes is work that is full of joy and meaning, that trusts the Lord for the miracles of life and food, and that rests securely in the Lord when work is over.
This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.
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Psalm 130: From Down in the Depths
Price range: $0.00 through $5.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/psalm_130-from_down_in_the_depths.mp3"][/audio]Psalm 130 ranks as one of the best-known Psalms of confession, second only to Psalm 51. Like all my Pilgrim Psalms, this song focuses on simplicity. The call and response format means the leader can “feed” new lines to the people. After singing it a few times it should be pretty easy to remember, even without music or words.
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Psalm 131: Wait for the Lord
[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/psalm_131-wait_for_the_lord.mp3"][/audio]Many of the Pilgrim Psalms include the admonition “Wait for the Lord,” but Psalm 131’s waiting is centered on a contented, child-like trust. In keeping with the Psalm’s mother/child image, I wrote it as a lullaby.
This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.
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Psalm 132: Arise, O King of Grace, Arise (O Savior, Come)
Price range: $0.00 through $25.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/psalm_132-o_savior_come.mp3"][/audio]Psalm 132 is not only one of the Psalms of Ascent, it is also one of the lectionary Psalms used in Advent. Isaac Watts teases out Christological imagery from the Psalm in a way that makes it a perfect Advent song, especially paired with the chorus, “O Savior Come.” However, it is not so Advent-specific that it can’t be used throughout the year, especially on Christ the King Sunday.
PowerPoint slides for congregational singing are available from Digital Songs & Hymns.
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Psalm 132: Dwell in Us
[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/psalm_132-dwell_in_us.mp3"][/audio]Psalm 132 is a Messianic history psalm. It tells the story of David vowing not to rest until he had built a house in Jerusalem for the ark of the covenant. God, in turn, honors David’s devotion by promising that one of his descendants will forever occupy the throne in Jerusalem. Today we understand this promise to be fulfilled in Jesus.
I chose to tease out the Advent overtones of the psalm, inviting God to make a dwelling place in our hearts. “Dwell in Us” is unique among my Pilgrim Psalms in that it features chant, which allows the whole story to be sung.
This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.
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Psalm 145: My Mouth Will Speak the Praise of the Lord
Price range: $0.00 through $5.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pagehttp://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_145-my_mouth.mp3
The themes of God’s greatness, goodness, faithfulness, and righteousness in Psalm 145 are bookended by verses 1-2 and verse 21. In this musical setting, verse 21 becomes a refrain that follows two verses focused on God’s faithfulness and righteousness. Notice how the verse changes halfway through, with the lyrics switching from talking about God to praying to God.
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Psalm 15: Lord, May I Dwell with You?
https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_015-lord_may_i_dwell.mp3
Here, Psalm 15 becomes a sung prayer of devotion. The chorus is a prayer of aspiration, “Lord, may I dwell with you?” and the verses pray for the strength and guidance to live the godly life outlined in the Psalm. The music is in a simple, Taizé-like style, with verses chanted over the chorus. This also allows the chorus to be used independently as a scripture song, focusing on the deeper message of the Psalm: a desire to dwell in God’s presence, knowing God as a refuge and our true home.
This hymn is a free download. If you sing this song in your church, please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.
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Psalm 150: Hallel, Hallelujah!
http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_150-hallel_hallelujah.mp3
The exuberance and repetition in this Psalm text led me to compose a Taizé style chorus, but in a regal, rather than meditative style. You’ll notice that the song is built on a repeated 10 measure phrase. This is unusual–music is normally written in divisions of four–but the irregular phrase length keeps the repeats from feeling banal. Also keeping the song’s motion moving forward is the unresolved final chord.
This hymn is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.
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Psalm 23: God Is Our Shepherd
https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_23-god_is_our_shepherd.mp3
Michael Morgan’s modest, beautiful hymn of trust is supported by a simple melody and unadorned harmonies. It is a song in the spirit of early American hymn tunes like those found in Southern Harmony.
This hymn is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.
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Psalm 24: Lift Up Your Heads, O You Gates!
[embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_024-lift_up.mp3[/embed]Psalm 24 is a processional Psalm, likely sung as worshipers approached the temple in Jerusalem. This song keeps that festive, processional feel in a music style that straddles traditional hymnody and contemporary praise. The song was commissioned in honor of Pastor Steven Schwier in thanksgiving for his ministry at Christ the King Lutheran Church, South Bend, Indiana.
This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.