On Troubled Days (Psalm 77)

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On troubled days I think of God. Those nights I find no respite.

My soul refuses comfort and God seems to be a despot.

My eyes don’t close. No words will come; and meditation falters.

The gifts I gave, the prayers I spoke are ashes on the altars.

—–

Will God forever spurn my plea and never show me favor?

Are graciousness and promises withdrawn? Where is my savior?

It seems to me that angrily God’s shut off all compassion;

that steadfast love and faithfulness will not be seeing action.

—–

Instead, I’ll think long ago when, God, you still worked wonders. 

You showed yourself as mighty, saving me and mine from blunders.

When lightning flashed and waters fled, your people were victorious.

Why can’t it once again be so? Why, God, are you not for us?

—–

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Source: Psalm 77    

Text:   © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Was Mein Gott Will

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

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Folks Around Here Know You, God

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Folks around here know you, God. Your address is on file.

On the grounds around your place you don’t allow what’s vile. 

—–

You inspire more awe than mountains. Strong men lose their breath.

Faced with you both horse and rider fall, as if in death.

—–

Don’t be angry, we can’t take it. Judge, then let us be.

When oppressed are saved we know your awesomeness indeed!

—–

Kings and princes learn that anger serves them not a bit.

Royal rank and social class are worth as much as spit. 

—–

Photo by Nicola Nuttall on Unsplash

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Geneva (Lowden)

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/GodWhoTouchest-Geneva.pdf

Not Now…Later (Psalm 74)

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O God, why have you cast us off for ever?

Why does your anger smoke against your sheep?

For generations we have been your people.

Promises made were meant for you to keep.

—-

Near to this holy place we felt protected,

but now an enemy has hacked it down.

We feel betrayed and live as if rejected. 

Not just our temple, they took every town. 

—-

There is no vision, neither any prophet.

No flag to fly, to rally us to fight.

Your reputation, God, is in the balance.

Stretch out your arm, and save us by your might. 

—-

You broke the heads of dragons in the waters;

opened up springs, made flowing rivers dry.

Yours are the kingdom, power and the glory.

Now you don’t act, and we’d like to know why.

—-

Impious people scoff at your inaction,

and we, your righteous children, suffer shame.

When you deliver us from this affliction,

then will the poor and needy praise your name.

————-

Photo by Brandi Ibrao on Unsplash

Source:   Psalm 74

Text:  © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Strength and Stay

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/OLordOfEvery-StrengthAndStay.pdf

I Needed a Reminder

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I know that God is on good’s side, but I had nearly tripped, 

when I beheld the wicked folks of wealth and bodies ripped.

They know no pain and do not strain to pay the monthly rent. 

They’re proud and loud, contemptuous, malicious as they vent. 

—-

Since they get praised in many ways and faultless seem to be, 

they think that God is deaf or bored and they’ll get off scot free. 

I thought it was in vain that I had kept my own heart clean, 

for ev’ry day I have been plagued, and ev’ry morning’s mean.

—-

My gaze had strayed upon their ways when I remembered this, 

God’s people, my community, are where I’ll find my bliss. 

Within the circle of these friends, at worship and at play, 

I find the purpose of my life and peace amid the fray.

—-

Celebrity, prosperity, are slopes where many slip. 

They fall to ruin in a trice with nothing there to grip. 

Like dreams and nightmares that disturb the sanctity of rest,

The wages of vulgarity we certainly detest.

—-

I wasted time in bitterness, in ignorance and doubt. 

God didn’t harshly treat me or intend to throw me out. 

At my right side to lead and guide with counsel wise and true, 

eventually heaven. Who have I up there but you?

—-

There’s not a thing on earth that I desire more than You.

My flesh will fail, my heart will stop, but this, I know, is true.

A death awaits each person, there is nothing I can do, 

but make the Lord my refuge for it’s God who’ll see me through. 

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Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash

Source:  Psalm 73

Text:  © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:  Kingsfold

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2013/Score/IHeardTheVoiceOfJesus-Kingsfold.pdf

On My Legs

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One day God will judge us all;

steady what is soon to fall.

Tell the haughty, “do not boas

Tell the wicked, “you’ll get yours.”

—–

Thank you God, for being very near.

Thank you God, for making judgment clear.

You’ve done wonders, You’ve done wonders.

Trusting you we’ve not a thing to fear.

—–

In God’s hand there is a cup

filled with bitter wine mixed up. 

When the wicked drink its dregs,

I’ll rejoice on steady legs.

—–

Thank you God, for being very near.

Thank you God, for making judgment clear.

You’ve done wonders, You’ve done wonders.

Trusting you we’ve not a thing to fear.

—–

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Source:   Psalm 75

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Infant Praise

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/ChildrenOfJerusalem.pdf

Teach Us Justice, Lord

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Teach us justice, Lord, so we might righteously

Care for ev’ryone who copes with poverty.

May the mountains’ treasures bring prosperity

Filling needs and flushing out all cruelty.

—-

May the ways we come to live outlast the sun.

May they nourish so we flourish ‘til we’re done.

Peace abound beyond the moon that shines at night.

May we live in harmony beneath your sight.

—-

May there be no limit to your kingdom’s reach;

no one who opposes love of life to each.

May the wealth of nations be shared out to all,

and the pow’r of evil under justice fall.

—-

May we become known as caring for the weak:

taking pity on the needy and the meek;

from oppressive vi-o-lence redeeming lives;  

holding people’s selves as precious in our sight.

—-

For as long as, Lord, you grant prosperity

May we ever meet your graces thankfully.

And may cities, countrysides and coasts as well,

blessing share with others as your love we tell.   

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Photo by Victória Kubiaki on Unsplash

Source: Psalm 72

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:  Caernarfon

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2013/Score/OLordOfTheSpring-Caernarfon.pdf

We’ll Continue Shouting Loud

Our fortress and our refuge place, you shine just like a precious jewel.

When wicked people seek our lives, they reach and tear, they’re grasping cruel.

You’ve been our hope since once you took us from the dark of mothers’ wombs.

We’ll trust and praise you past the day we rest inside the dark of tombs.

—-

Some who have seen us have been drawn to likewise put their trust in you.

So now that we have met with dread, now doubt your reputation, too. 

Forsake us not and haste to help, and scorn the ones who hope to shame.

Then we will tell of how you save, and praise your mighty deeds and name.

—-

The things you taught us in our youth, when old we still affirm and tell.

There’s none like you who reaches down, to rescue, save and make folks well.

So as before, you’ll do again, and we’ll continue shouting loud, 

the things you’ve done to help your own, by putting slanderers to rout.

—-

Photo:   by Sushil Nash on Unsplash

Source:  Psalm 71    

Text:  © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Tallis’ Lamentation

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2013/Score/OMasterItIsGood-TallisLamentation.pdf

Make Haste (Psalm 70)

Let them all be put to shame; turn them back, besmirch their names.

They would love to hear us cry, make us hurt and see us die.

—-

   Hur-ry-God, to make us free. Hur-ry God, de-li-ve-ry

   Come and rescue,  come and rescue, no one else but you knows what we need.

—-

As for all who seek your grace, that’s where we’re in the best place.

Come in haste, we can not wait. We’ll be shouting,  ‘God is great!’

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Photo by Brad Collum on Unsplash

Source: Psalm 70

Text: (c) David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Infant Praise

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/ChildrenOfJerusalem.pdf

Audio:

The Ocean Waits to Wave

My sin has found me out, my God. It feels like I may drown.

What’s worse is that it’s known by folks who tell it all around.

When one like me who others had assumed as good is trashed,

YOUR reputation, God, gets hurt, and faith itself gets smashed. 

—-

My churchly self took umbrage when some others slandered faith,

I acted very holy and I fasted every day.

But now that truth is out there, and the slanderers have fun

There’s no one else to blame so save me, God, I want this done!

—-

You’re good, O God, I’ll trust in you. But I’ve got enemies

who gloat at my undoing and tell everyone they see,

about my situation as they cackle in their glee.

So smash them, God, and trap them in the middle of their spree.

—- 

Here in my lowly station may salvation find me soon.

While raisin’ I’ll be praisin’ and some offering be doin’.

When news of what you’ve done for me makes headlines, YOU’LL be praised. 

So get to work O savior, ‘cause the ocean waits to wave.

—-

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

Source:  Psalm 69

Text:  © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:  Stettin

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2013/Score/TheSonOfGod-Stettin-NunSeht.pdf

Everyone’s God

May God be gracious unto us with shining face so bright, that all may see God’s way on earth and nations saved from fright.  

—-

May peoples praise the God who saves, all people sing with mirth. May nations sing for joy God’s equal judgments on the earth. 

—-

As God designed, the harvest comes for everyone to share.                                                     The blessings of the Lord are free to people everywhere. 

———-

Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash

Source:  Psalm 67

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: St Francis Xavier

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/MyGodILoveThee-StFrancisXavier.pdf