Wait Spaciously: Psalm 37:7-26

In stillness wait for God, fret not (it only leads to evil).

The wicked get their due, await their time (it will be dreadful).

So wait some more, the land is yours. Just bide your time and tarry.

Prosperity is what you’ll see. The wicked get what’s scary. 

—–

They sharpen swords and string up bows to kill the poor and needy.

With gnashing teeth and flashing eyes (they do no-thing discreetly).

But God’s amused by what they do, so on a day that’s coming,

the bow they load and sword they draw will be their own undoing.

—–

A little bit with righteousness is better than a fortune

obtained by guile and trickery or stolen from an orphan.

The Lord upholds the righteous and maintains their lives through famine.

The wicked perish like dry grass that’s burnt up in an oven. 

—–

The wicked borrow, never share. The righteous keep on giving.

When God approves the way we go, though stumbling, we keep living.

Though I’ve been young, as I’ve grown old I’ve seen those who keep lending,

They’ve never been forsaken yet. Their children are a blessing. 

———-

Photo: by United Nations Covid-19 Response on Unsplash

Source: Psalm 37L 7-26

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Was Mein Gott Will  Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF-2010/TheWillOfGod-WasMeinGottWill.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Ev’rywhere’s the House of God

Since ev’rywhere’s the house of God, and we are servants all,

give praises to the One who’s good, and as you praise recall,

the Lord is great above all gods, in heaven and on earth.

In seas and deeps, in clouds and sky, we see the maker’s work.

—–

T’was God who struck the firstborn down, human and animal.

Sent signs and wonders in one land, till all were tractable. 

Led out a people to become, a new and mixed nation,

To be a family, God’s own, in that loc-a–tion.

—–

Statues as made by human hands, have limitations,

tearing them from where they’ve been, brings liberation.

People of God, come bless your Lord, trust in the holy One,

From here and now, forevermore, rising to setting sun. 

———-

Photo:  by Ros Rivera on Unsplash   

Source: Psalm 135

Text:  © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Old 137th

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2013/Score/HowShallISing-Old137th.pdf

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

God at the Swap Meet (Psalm 134)

Since every place is God’s own house, and everyone’s God’s servant,

we all serve by day and night, swapping blessings with God. 

---

Photo:  by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash 

Source:   Psalm 134

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:  P. Nilsen Lund   Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2015/Score/TakeOurHeartNow-NilsenLund.pdf

Chord Sheet: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2019/Score/TakeOurHeart-NilsenLund-Chords.pdf

Audio:www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Romans 3:19-28

We all know that what the law says speaks to people under law.

There’s no arguing against that. All must make account to God. 

But there’s nothing in the law that makes us righteous in God’s sight

——

Righteousness with God, attested through the prophets and the law

Is disclosed through faith in Jesus to believers one and all.

We’ve all sinned; we all fall short, but all are justified by grace.

——

This great gift of our redemption takes effect when we have faith.

What’s the use of boasting? Nothing! Christ it was who took our place. 

But the law remains to help us live in thankfulness each day.

---

Photo: by Taylor Wilcox on Unsplash

Source:   Romans 3:19-28

Text:  © David Alexander, 2020  

Tune:   St Thomas (Webb)   Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2018/Score/SingMyTongue-StThomas-Chords.pdf    

Audio:  www.smallchuchmusic.com  Used by Permission

The Day is Surely Coming (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

The day is surely coming, for God to make anew

the covenant with people, unlike the one we knew.

Those sacred vows got broken, that special union fell,

and people lost their hope in, what saved and kept them well.
—–

God’s law should be within us, engraved upon our hearts,

A bond that can’t be broken, a cord that never parts.

We’ll need no one to teach us, that we should know the Lord.

All sin will be forgiven, remembered nevermore. 

---

Photo: by Manasvita S on Unsplash

Source:    Jeremiah 31:31-34

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:  St Hilda, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/OJesusThouArtStanding-StEdith.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Truth Will Make You Free John 8:31-36

Some believed in Jesus, others saw no need.

So one day he taught them what they ought to be. 

If you’re my disciples, listen close to me.

You will know the truth and, truth will make you free.

---

They thought they were covered by their ancestry.

Jesus found their blind spot, what they couldn’t see.

Offered what we’re needing, blest community.

Come and learn the truth and you’ll be free indeed.

---

Photo: by Gabriel McCallin on Unsplash

Source: John 8:31-36

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: St Albans 6565D  Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/ThoseEternalBowers-StAlbans.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used By Permission 

Live in Unity (Psalm 133)

Life’s very good and pleasant when we live in unity.

We’re lubricated head to toe. No friction in between.

The mountains that arise or stand, the places that are blessed,

are touched by God and tremble with life’s living at its best. 

———-

Photo: by Becca Tapert on Unsplash

Source:   Psalm 133 

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Clonmel, Public Domain   

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/WePraiseThee-Clonmel.pdf 

Audio:   www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

The Day is Surely Coming (Jeremiah 31;31-34)

The day is surely coming, for God to make anew

the covenant with people, unlike the one we knew.

Those sacred vows got broken, that special union fell,

and people lost their hope in, what saved and kept them well.
———-

God’s law should be within us, engraved upon our hearts,

A bond that can’t be broken, a cord that never parts.

We’ll need no one to teach us, that we should know the Lord.

All sin will be forgiven, remembered nevermore. 

———-

Photo: by Manasvita S on Unsplash

Source:    Jeremiah 31:31-34

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:  St Hilda, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/OJesusThouArtStanding-StEdith.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Truth Will Make You Free (John 8:31-36)

Some believed in Jesus, others saw no need.

So one day he taught them what they ought to be. 

If you’re my disciples, listen close to me.

You will know the truth and, truth will make you free.

—–

They thought they were covered by their ancestry.

Jesus found their blind spot, what they couldn’t see.

Offered what we’re needing, blest community.

Come and learn the truth and you’ll be free indeed.

———-

Photo: by Gabriel McCallin on Unsplash

Source: John 8:31-36

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: St Albans 6565D  Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/ThoseEternalBowers-StAlbans.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used By Permission 

Holy Play (Psalm 132)

How often have we promised, far more than we could do,

made resolutions rashly, pledged for a budget, too?

These felt so good to say, but were hard to follow through.

God, think of our intentions when time to pay comes due. 

—–

The monuments erected to human foolishness

Pretend to show we’re righteous, but something else attest.

Our need to make a statement, to offer God a rest

is vanity in action, made at our own behest.

—–

There is no place more sacred than where we are today.

An altar in life’s midst where we worship and can play.

God satisfies the poor, and the faithful shout with joy.

In service to God’s people, we ev’ry strength employ.

———-

Photo:   by Robert Collins on Unsplash

Source:  Psalm 132 

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Blomstertid.  Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2012/Score/SometimesALight-Blomstertid.pdf

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission