We’ll Be Singing

I dwell among ungodly folks; / deceit i-s i-n ME, too.

So send o-ut light a-nd truth to lead / me ba-ck O- Lord, to you. 

—

O soul of mine, fin-d joy in God / whom w-e sh-all sure-l-y praise, 

with mel -o-dies in songs th-at we’ll / be si-ng-i-ng all our days.

———-

Photo by Jan Strecha at Unsplash.com

Source:  Psalm 43

Text:   © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:   Relief

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2014/Score/ThereIsABook-Relief.pdf

Audio url.: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2014/MP3/MP3-ThereIsABook-Relief-PipeAL-128-CAM.mp3

—

God, My Father, Mother Be… (Psalm 27:9b-12)

You have saved me, don’t forsake me

God, my father, mother be.

As you lead me and you teach me

On the path where I can see;

Vanquish ev’ry adversary

Roust them out and make them flee. 

——-

Photo by Tony Lluch at Unsplash.com

Source: Psalm 27:9b-12

Text:  © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:  Bryntirion

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2013/Score/ThouWhoSentest-Bryntirion.pdf

Who Can Detect Their Errors?

Who can detect their errors? Lord, clear me of my faults.

Keep back your servant also from insolence and gall. 

—

Let no one dominate me,Then blameless I shall be. 

and free of great transgression. Within your company.

—

In all I say and ponder, let one thing be my aim

To find myself accepted, O Lord of holy name.

———-

Photo by Efe Kunaz at Unsplash.com

Source:   (Psalm 19:12-14)

Text: © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: Cherry Tree Carol

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF-2010/AnotherYearIsDawning-CherryTree.pdf

The Soul Can Be Revised

In the perfection of the law of God the soul can be revised.

Finding foundations in what God decrees, the simple are made wise

—-

What can be known from e’re there was a mind; the heart in joy finds right,

and the commands that from our Maker come give light unto our eyes.

—-

Awe-filled regard for all God is and does will evermore endure

What we have seen of God’s own righteousness is altogether pure. 

—-

Sweeter than honey from the purest source, more valued than fine gold,

This law will guide us, lead to our reward within our shepherd’s fold. 

—-

Thus may the meditations of my heart and ev’ry thing I say

Find full acceptance, for you, God, alone, redeem and keep me safe.

—–

Photo by Alexander Mils at Unsplash.com

Source:   (Psalm 19:7-11 & 14)

Text:    © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:    St Nicholas

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2012/Score/OBrightnessOfThe-StNicholas.pdf 

Livin’ Out and Proud!

Life is struggle, often scary, so in God I find my place.

Evil’s out there, so be wary; turn toward heaven. Run THAT race.

Though an army camp against me; fear will not invade my heart. 

Confident in God intensely, I will find the better part.

—-

Just one thing have I requested: near to God to daily dwell.

To be hidden in God’s shelter when life’s struggles come to gel.

Even though that time’s not here yet, joyfully I shout out loud

Sing of how my needs have been met as I’m living Out and Proud!

—–

Photo by Yingchih at Unsplash.com

Psalm 27:1-6  

Text:   © David Alexander 2020

Tune:  St Asaph

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF-2010/ThroughtTheNight-StAsaph.pdf

Skies are Proclaiming

Skies are proclaiming the glory of God.

Stars give their witness to all that’s been made.

Sun like a bridegroom bursts forth ev’ry dawn;

Running with strength and with joy all the way.

—-

As the sun passes high over our heads

Nothing escapes from its light or its heat.

May all our thoughts and the words that we’ve said

Find full acceptance from God who redeems. 

———-

Photo by Paul Gilmore at Unsplash.com

Source: (Psalm 19: 1, 4b-6 & 14)

Text:    © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:   Bonnie George Campbell 

Score:    https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2012/Score/ChristBeMyLeader-BonnieGC.pdf

The Lord’s Prayer

(Photo credit and audio link below text.)

We are yours, our God almighty, holy name and kingdom rightly. 

Will on earth as heaven do-ne. Meet our needs, each one.

—–

Be forgivin’ of our sinnin’.  Others’ sinnin’ we’ve forgiven.

Hold back testing, evil e-nd, evermore. Amen.

———-

Photo by Xin on Unsplash

Source: Matthew 6:9-15

Text: © David Alexander, 2020.

Tune: Spiritual

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF-2010/WeAreClimbingJacobs-Spiritual.pdf

The Heavens Tell God’s Glory

The heavens tell God’s glory, the sky her maker’s craft.

Both speech and knowledge flourish as night and day both pass.

But, words are not required, and voice need not be heard,

Creation tells God’s story: love for all on earth.

—-

May words and meditations of mouth and heart and mind

Find heavenly acceptance in our creator’s sight.

Our rock and our redeemer, our source and only stay,

Our thanks to you we offer, this and ev’ry day.

—–

Photo by Jeremy Thomas at Unsplash

Source: Psalm 19:1-3a & 14

Text:   ©  David Alexander, 2020 

Tune:  Rutherford  

Score:    https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/TheSandsOfTime-Rutherford.pdf

 

The Righteous Shall Be Ever Safe

The righteous shall be ever safe, the wicked not endure.

The righteous shall possess the land, the wickeds’ fate is sure.

—-

Hear wisdom from a righteous one, and justice from their lips.

With ways of God within their heart, their feet will never slip.  

—-

Though evil lurks and seeks to kill, intending something vile

The Lord will stand with righteous folk should they be brought to trial.

—–

Photo by Timothy Brock at Unsplash.com

Source: Psalm 27:28b-33

Text:   © David Alexander, 2020

Tune:    Detroit

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF-2010/ForgiveOurSinsAs-Detroit.pdf

Dirge (Psalm 38 to a Taiwanese Tune)

Lord, you’re an-gry. I know why. From my pain you hear my cry.

By your hand I suffer now. For my sin your hand came down.

—-

This, a burden hard to bear, but it’s my own fault, I swear.

Tall i stood, and thought self sleek. Now I’m wounded and I reek.

—-

These, the fruits of my desire: Heartburn, hemorrhoids and fire.

Utterly both spent and crushed, very soon I’ll bite the dust. 

—-

Nothing has been hid from you: sinning, sighing, longing too.

Strength has failed me, light is gone. Former friends look on in scorn.

—-

Enemies have set out snares. No one helps me. No one cares. 

I can’t hear and I can’t speak. Even gesture. I’m too weak. 

—-

Take me soon, Lord. Come in haste. I can’t take another day.

On my way some folks I’ll curse. “Yes, I sinned, but y’all are worse.” 

Photo by Max Oh at Unsplash.com

Source:   Psalm 38

Text:   © David Alexander, 2020

Tune: BÀK-SA(木柵)  7.7.7.7

Score: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s4LsTk-uq0 (turn off audio)