Mount Zion has a special significance to the author of Psalm 48 because it is the location of the holy city Jerusalem, the palaces of Israel’s king, and the temple of Yahweh. Just as God dwelled in Zion for the Israelites, the Church of Christ should be “a city on a hill”–a holy place that is set apart for God that allows the light of the Spirit to shine. Or as Jesus says in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Modern
Showing 49–60 of 80 results
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Psalm 2: The Restless Nations Rage
$0.00 Select optionshttps://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_2-the_restless_nations_rage.mp3
The great thing about Psalm 2 and Naaman Wood’s version of it is that it untangles the claims of earthly and heavenly power. In a political climate where many believe God to be on their side–or that they’re fighting on behalf of God–this Psalm lets us know that our constant wrestling for power is all for naught. God, and only God, stands above us as the ultimate power. It is only in God that we can find true refuge.
This song is mentioned in Greg’s podcast, “2021 Musical Year in Review.“
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Psalm 20: Blessing
$0.00 – $20.00 Select optionshttps://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/bluett-psalm_2-blessing.mp3
Kate Bluett’s beautiful rendering of Psalm 20 is simply called “Blessing.” She has recast the language of the Psalm in a way that speaks powerfully into our own context. For example, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses” becomes “Some trust in arms and some in power.” In my estimation, this is exactly the kind of “transplanting” that should take place in modern Psalm songs.
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Psalm 27: One Thing
$0.00 Select options[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/one_thing.mp3"][/audio]Based on Psalm 27:4, this song is a prayer for the beauty of God to fill our eyes. The music can be adapted to any number of styles, from straight acoustic guitar strumming to a jangly U2 groove. I’ve provided leadsheets in both E minor and C# minor for greater flexibility when using a capo. You’re welcome.
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Psalm 3: I Shall Rest in Peace
$0.00 Add to cart[embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_003-i_shall_rest_in_peace.mp3[/embed]Psalm 3 is traditionally associated with King David as he fled from his son Absalom. Whether or not the Psalm was actually written while David fled for his life during a revolt, the Psalm is certainly full of fears and anxieties–with a side order of vengeance. But more than that, the Psalm is full of trust. Even though all hell is breaking loose, the Psalmist talks about going to bed: “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid…”
In this setting of Psalm 3, “I shall rest in peace” becomes a repeated refrain throughout. “Rest” not only indicates peaceful sleep but “rest in peace” is a euphemism for death. It seems to me that many people who might read Psalm 3 or sing this song may be fighting the enemy of disease, age, or death itself. Even in death, we can rest in the Lord.
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 31: In You, Lord, I Refuge Take
$0.00 – $10.00 Select optionshttps://musicblog.gregscheer.com/kimbrough_psalm31.mp3
Wendell Kimbrough’s setting of Psalm 31 is simple, but also profound, translating the desperate prayer of the Psalm into fresh language that sings well. I have written an SATB version, a choral descant, and a flute descant.
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Psalm 33: A Symphony of Praise
$0.00 Add to cart[embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_033-a_symphony_of_praise.mp3[/embed]Psalm 33 is a songwriter’s dream: it commands us to sing a new song, mentions a variety of instruments, and admonishes us to play skillfully. This bright, joyous song helps us do just that while also allowing us to follow the Psalmist into themes of creation, judgment, power, and trust.
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 48: A City on a Hill
$0.00 – $5.00 Select options[embed]https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/a_city_on_a_hill.mp3[/embed] -
Psalm 55: Oh, That I Had Wings
$0.00 – $25.00 Select options[embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_055-oh_that_i_had_wings.mp3[/embed]Psalm 55 is the plea of someone who has been betrayed and attacked by a former friend. Understandably, the Psalmist wants to beat a hasty retreat: “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” Given the urgency of the Psalm, I wrote a tune that comes in short, breathless bursts, with harmonic twists and turns.
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Psalm 57: The Thunder’s Rage Is Roaring
$0.00 Add to cart[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bluett-psalm_57.mp3"][/audio]Lyricist Kate Bluett does a great job of capturing a difficult Psalm. The first verse teases out the storm imagery that accompanies the famous “I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” The second verse focuses on the Psalmist’s foes who are laying traps. The third verse not only includes the beautiful “I will awaken the dawn with singing” of the original Psalm but concludes with the point that the temporary terrors of the night are momentary, whereas God’s love never ends.
This song is mentioned in Greg’s podcast, “2021 Musical Year in Review.”
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 61: Lead Me to the Rock
$0.00 – $5.00 Select options[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/lead_me_to_the_rock.mp3"][/audio]Psalm 61 is both a cry for help and an affirmation of trust. This song tries to capture both expressions with its minor-key verse and its major-key chorus. These two demos model the song in two different styles: above is a driving rhythm for worship band and below is more hymn-style using the written piano accompaniment.
[embed]https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/Ps%20061%20Lead%20Me%20to%20the%20Rock.mp3[/embed] -
Psalm 65: We Praise You, God, in Silence and Singing
$35.00 Add to carthttps://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_065-rehearsal.mp3
Bethany Cok and Josh Parks asked me to compose music for their wedding, and they chose Psalm 65 as the song’s text. It was a great choice: Psalm 65 is a Psalm of thanksgiving that was likely written for one of the harvest festivals; its focus on entering God’s house, keeping vows, and God’s blessing make it a beautiful fit for a wedding.
This song is mentioned in Greg’s podcast, “Thanksgiving Brainstorms.”
Score and parts for piano, voice, violins, viola, and cello. Purchase price allows you to print as many copies as you need for your ensemble.
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Psalm 67: Let All the Peoples Praise You!
$0.00 Add to cart[embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_67-let_all_the_peoples.mp3[/embed]This setting of Psalm 67 is in what I’ve dubbed a “modern medieval” style–stately but with a strong rhythmic spine. One of the interesting features of the song is that the verse mirrors the chorus, but one step up. This modulatory sleight of hand makes each return of the chorus sound inevitable but surprising.
This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.
Showing 49–60 of 80 results
