Live Simply

Live simply. Tend the fig tree that will yield to you its fruit.

Attention to your flocks and herds can bring sufficient food.

The lambs provide your clothing and the goats the price of fields.

So your servant girls and family will have enough to eat.

—–

Since everything is fleeting; crowns and riches pass away.

The seasons pass in sequence. Grass dies out and is replaced.

Take care of what’s above you as you manage what’s beneath.

Pay no other debts beyond your own, and sleep each night in peace.

———-

Image:  CC SA  from Pixy.org 

Source:  Proverbs 27:13,18,23-27

Text:  © David Alexander, 2021

Tune:  The Seven Joys of Mary, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2012/Score/OneHumanFamily-7Joys.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission

Two Who Are Strong

Two who are strong, can build each other up

as i-ron sharpens i-ron; love meets love. 

E-ven rebuke is welcomed as well meant,

when hearts reflect the love in its intent.

Enemies praise, to throw you off the track,

but friends in truth and love can interact. 

—–

Neighbors at hand, eclipse far distant kin;

live openly and make of all your friends.

When trouble comes, go swiftly to the aid

of those who knew your parents in their days.

Your wisdom, child, supplies my heart with hope 

to give an answer when I am reproached.

—–

Oil slips away, and wind can’t be restrained;

they go where, do whatever thing they may.

Likewise a spouse, who speaks just to contend

makes life a tri-al that one looks to end.

Learn how to bless, and when to hold your tongue

or be mistaken as a cursing one.

———-

Photo:  by Jonathan Tomas on Unsplash

Source:  Proverbs 27:5,6,8,10,14-17 & 19

Text:  © David Alexander

Tune:  Yorkshire, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2016/Score/ChristiansAwake-Yorkshire-Chords.pdf

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission

Tests to Pass

Do not boast about tomorrow; you don’t know what it may bring

Let a stranger tell your story, it is not for you to sing. 

—–

Wrath is cru-el; anger’s stronger; jealousy’s the worst of three.

Sated appetites spurn honey. Gluttony finds all things sweet.

—–

Pleasant fragrance gladdens hearts but trouble tears the human soul.

Much like hell that never fills, we wish for stuff to make us whole.

—–

Silver is refined when melted; gold by heat is purified.

Praise defeats a human’s virtue when it interects with pride. 

———

Photo:  by Jason Leung on Unsplash

Source:  Proverbs 27:1,2,4,7,9,20,21

Text: © David Alexander, 2021

Tune:  Drake’s Broughton, Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2012/Score/SeeUsLord-DrakesBroughton.pdf   

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

The Heaviness of Foolishness

A stack of stones, a pile of sand, these things have weight for sure.

But coping with a fool all day is harder to endure.

—–

When you see trouble coming, if you’re clever you will hide.

A fool, in contrast stays the course to trouble amplified.

—–

They will not change from what you say, or even if you shout. 

Their foolishness has been ingrained and won’t be driven out.

———-

Photo: by Tim Scalzo on Unsplash

Source:  Proverbs 27:3,12,22

Text:  © David Alexander, 2021

Tune:   Hunnys, Public Domain 

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2013/Score/LordWhenWeBend-Hunnys.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Gossip and Hatred

Where there’s no whisperer a quarrel dies

just like a flame within a woodless fire. 

Smoldering embers hold a flame within

as do contentious folks among their friends.

—–

Words of a gossip are like tasty treats

which, when they’re swallowed seem to be so sweet. 

That’s how they feel, but they’ve an evil heart.

Under the surface there’s a bitter part. 

—–

Hatred is in disguise beneath the guile

where it will be exposed in just while

Enemies sometimes speak in gracious lies

Hiding abominations with a smile.

—–

Image: by Eucalyp from the noun project

Source:  Proverbs 26:20-28

Text:  © David Alexander, 2021

Tune: Highland Cathedral, Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/GodOurCreator-HighlandCathedral.pdf 

Audio:www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

On Laziness

Somebody cried, “A lion’s outside, stay in and lock the door!”

Barbarians are at the gate! Build walls, and do much more!”

—–

Like doors they’re hinged, and blown by winds, but never move an inch.

Progression stalls in courts and halls, where worthy people flinch.

—–

When found astride the power seat, they throw around their weight.

But caring not to act at all, they hold the space and wait.

—–

In thinking that they’re really wise, all others they call fake.

In blindness to what contradicts, no answers can they make. 

———-

Photo: by jean wimmerlin on Unsplash

Source:  Proverbs 26:13-16

Text:  © David Alexander, 2021

Tune: Billing, Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/OurGodWeKnow-Billing.pdf 

Audio:www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

It’s Like That

Rain at harvest, snow in summer, honors given to a fool,

words of wisdom mixed with folly, lack cohesion as a rule.

Vote for those of honest bearing who the needs of people serve.

When we put a clown in office, then we get what we deserve.

—–

If you haven’t been invited, stay away from others’ fights,

Or it’s you who will get mauled when canine barking turns to bites.

If you set a trap, be careful. You’re the one who will get caught.

Trouble that you start can harm you. Battles won are those unfought.

—–

Lying’s not the same as joking. Wounds from words are deadly too.

When a neighbor’s been deceived the pain you give comes back to you.

What you say appears as golden, pure and precious through and through

but it’s just a glaze upon the dirt and evil that you spew. 

———-

Photo:  TapTheForwardAssist, CC BY-SA 4.0  via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Proverbs 26: 1,10,17,18,19,27

Text:  © David Alexander 2021

Tune:    Chartres, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2020/Score/SawYouNever-Chartres-Chords.pdf

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Telling Tales

Check what you saw with who you’ve seen before you make reports.

The tale you tell may fail to stand when challenged in a court. 

It’s to your shame if you defame a neighbor not at fault,

Whose secrets you have brought to light by careless futile talk.

—–

A neighbor is someone who trusts, not fodder for your mill.

The things you say can harm or slay and enmity instill.

A hostile word that someone heard can bring a shameful end.

So tell the truth or shut your mouth, and hold onto a friend.

———- 

Photo:  by  United Nations Covid Response on Unsplash

Source: Proverbs 8,9,10,18,19 

Text:  © David Alexander, 2021

Tune:    Spes Celestis, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2019/Score/HowHappyEveryChild-SpesCelestis-Chords.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Messengers

When bringing news be wary of the tidings you impart.

Don’t sing a joyful song to someone with a heavy heart.

For sorrow leaves a hole and pain where love once had a place.

So hold your tongue approaching one with tears upon their face.

—–

A thirsty soul who needs to know of loved ones far away

Is satisfied by words that faithful messengers convey.

The hot and dry imaginings of information drought

Are cooled and doused by news that puts suspicions all to rout. 

———-

Photo:  by  Javier de la Maza on Unsplash

Source: Proverbs 25:13,20,25

Text:  © David Alexander, 2021

Tune: St Leonard’s, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2011/Score/TheGalileanFishers-StLeonards.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Human Relations

Since God cares, then so should you. 

Enemies get hungry, too..

When they’re thirsty, let them drink.

That might change the way they think.

If they’re wicked, don’t give way.

Let your kindness win the day.

——

Photo:  by  Manki Kim on Unsplash

Source:  Proverbs 25:21,22, 25

Text:  © David Alexander, 2021

Tune: Cassel, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2020/Score/GraciousSpiritDwell-Cassel-Chords.pdf   

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission