Psalm Songs

Showing 97–104 of 104 results

  • Psalm 80: O Faithful Shepherd

    $0.00     Select options
    [embed]https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/psalm_80-o_faithful_shepherd.mp3[/embed]

    Psalm 80’s vine imagery is connected with Jesus’ words, “I am the Vine,” giving new life to an overlooked, but beautifully singable Genevan tune.

  • Psalm 80: Restore Us, O God!

    $0.00 – $5.00     Select options

    http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/restore_us_guitarchestra.mp3

    Eugene Peterson argues that we sanitize the Psalms. His Bible translation, The Message, attempted to restore some of the grittiness of the original Hebrew. If this is true in Bible translation, it’s even more true in the way we sing the Psalms–we edit out the difficult verses and sing the rest very piously. “Restore Us, O God!” has a folk music (almost Klezmer) feel that brings out the urgency of Psalm 80’s lament.

     

  • Psalm 81: Sing to God Our Strength

    $0.00 – $5.00     Select options

    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

    $0.00 – $5.00     Select options

    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

    $0.00     Add to cart
    [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

    $0.00 – $35.00     Select options
    [embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm084-blessed_-beyond_measure.mp3[/embed]

    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 9-10: Rise Up, O Lord!

    $0.00 – $5.00     Select options

    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 98: Sing to the Lord a New Song

    $0.00 – $5.00     Select options
    [audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sing_to_the_lord.mp3"][/audio]

    It seems like everyone has their own version of Psalm 98, but each generation needs a “new song” so I make no apologies for adding my voice to the fray! This song was chosen to be sung at COLAM 1999 (Conference on Liturgy and Music) at Dordt College as part of the Composition Competition.

Showing 97–104 of 104 results