The Psalter for Christian Worship, Revised Edition

Michael Morgan

• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780664265410
• eBook ISBN: 9781611649406
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Rituals & Practice

We lift up the psalms to God as our prayers. We borrow the language of these ancient texts, and they become our works. We are not secondhand recipients of Gods word but communicants actively in conversation with God. What seems to set the Psalms apart from the rest of Scripture is their sacramental nature, their unique ability to mold and transform the believer. The Psalter for Christian Worship reclaims the Psalms for congregational worship with new texts set to familiar hymnal tunes. This collection, for worship leaders, musicians, and congregations, will inspire both corporate and private devotions.Features include: The Old Testament flavor of the Psalter is retained with new sensitivity to imagery and inclusive language; all 150 psalms have been converted into hymns of reasonable length to be sung in church; an index of suggested hymn tunes is included; and an index for liturgical use is also provided.

THE PSALMS
BOOK I

Psalm 1

LM (Suggested tunes: CANONBURY; ROCKINGHAM; MARYTON)

How blest are they who venture not

Into the dark and sinful way,

But find delight in God’s own law,

And contemplate it night and day.

As trees beside the stream they grow

And flourish, wholesome fruit they bear;

The wicked lot are cast aside

And lost to their own dark despair.

The judgment of the Lord is sure

And good to those who seek God’s face;

The righteous find themselves redeemed,

And heirs to God’s all-knowing grace.

Psalm 2

8.7.8.7 D (Suggested tunes: EBENEZER; HOLY MANNA)

Why do nations rage together,

Why in vain do they conspire?

Rulers of earth’s vast dominions

Light the skies with martyrs’ fire.

Truth mistaken, God forsaken,

Banes of righteousness arise;

Yet shall they reap sore displeasure,

Sure defeat before God’s eyes.

To the children of the promise

God shall give the throne this day;

With a scepter forged of iron,

They shall dash their foes as clay.

Faith revealing, humbly kneeling,

Quench the fire and sheathe the sword;

For God’s wrath is quickly kindled;

Blest are they who serve the Lord.

Psalm 3

LM (Suggested tunes: WHEN JESUS WEPT; DEO GRACIAS; ERHALT UNS, HERR)

O Lord, how many are my foes!

How vast their legions round me press!

From ev’ry side, their threats deride,

And work to shake my faithfulness.

But You, O Lord, remain my shield,

My glory and Redeemer still;

I cry to You, who answers me

Steadfastly from Your holy hill.

My eyes are closed, I sleep in peace,

Assured that I again will wake;

When arms shall raise, I’ll give You praise,

Rejoicing for Your mercy’s sake.

Arise, O Lord, deliver me

From all who would my life assail;

Your blessing sure will long endure,

And righteousness at last prevail.

Psalm 4

10.10.9.10 (Suggested tune: SLANE)

God of all righteousness, hear when I pray,

In my distress be my hope and my stay;

Long I have suffered revilement and shame,

Great God of mercy, I call on Your name.

Angry, yet silent, I know there will be

Justice according to holy decree;

Never to answer corruption in kind,

But in Your promise true peace will I find.

When those around me my faith would confound,

May I rejoice in Your gifts t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• The Psalms
• Index of Psalms for Liturgical Use