Psalm 146

Tune: Aurelia 76 76 D

1. O praise the Lord, O praise him!

As long as I shall live

I will declare God’s praises

for blessings he shall give.

Do not rely on princes,

for humans cannot save;

for when their breath is ended,

their plans go to the grave.

2. Blessèd are those whose future

is found in Jacob's Lord,

Creator God is with them

and justice their reward.

He’s with them in oppression

and sets the pris’ner free.

God gives food to the hungry

and makes the blind ones see.

3. God lifts the poor in spirit

and those who are alone,

the broken and forgotten,

God calls them all his own.

Your God shall reign forever.

Rejoice, Jerusalem!

And let all generations

proclaim the great Amen!

(c) Tim Norwood. This text can be reproduced without charge but may not be printed comercially without the permission of the author.

Psalm 77

Tune: St Clement 9898

1. I call to God; I cry out to him.

I call to God; he will draw near.

In days of trouble, I will seek him.

I call to God and he will hear.

2. I stretch my hands to God in darkness,

My soul is poured out endlessly.

I think of God and groan in sadness;

is there no comfort here for me?

3.* My eyes are open but I’m blinded

I am so dazed, I cannot flee.

When I consider days now ended,

the memories are dark to me.

4.* At night I lie awake and wonder

what plans the Lord has made for me.

In grief my spirit makes me ponder

when God will set his people free.

5.* Has mercy gone from us for ever?

Will God show us his love no more?

Has he lost pity in displeasure?

Are promises no longer sure?

6. The hand of God is strong as ever;

his arm unchanged; his love the same.

His praise we will declare forever.

His mighty deeds we will proclaim.

7. Your way, O God, is always holy.

There is no god as great as you.

Throughout the world you show your glory

and to your people you stay true.

8. The waters saw you, God of wonders.

The waters saw and were afraid.

You speak to us in fire and thunder

and through the sea your path is laid.

9. In all creation; land and water,

the depths below, the clouds above;

your voice is heard; it makes earth shudder,

but we your people know your love.

The lectionary for 2007 only requires verses 1-2, 11-20, so the stared verses are omitted.

(c) Tim Norwood. This text can be reproduced without charge but may not be printed comercially without the permission of the author.

Psalm 31

Tune: Amazing Grace CM

1. In you, O Lord, I put my trust.

O let me not know shame.

Deliver me in righteousness,

as I call on your name.

2. Give grace to me, for I am lost

in grief I cannot see,

my very being wastes away;

strength fails in misery.

3. To those who hate me, I am scorn;

a horror to my friends;

they flee from me in fearful dread

until my suff’ring ends.

4. I fade away like one who dies

as terrors round me stand.

But though I hear their whispered plots,

my life is in God’s hand.

5. From persecution, hate and fear,

O Lord, deliver me.

And let your face upon me shine

with me your love shall be.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

the God whom we adore,

be glory, as it was, and is,

and shall be evermore.

(c) Tim Norwood. This text can be reproduced without charge but may not be printed comercially without the permission of the author.

Psalm 32

Tune: Spiritus Vitae 98 98

1. Blessèd are those who God gives freedom

from failure, brokenness and sin.

Blessèd are those who are made guiltless,

and with whom God can now begin.

2. When I was silent in my failure

I felt as though my life would end.

Your hand pressed heavily upon me

but now on you I must depend.

3. If I admit my failings to you

and do not seek to hide my sin;

If I confess my deepest weakness

you shall remove the guilt within.

4.  For this, the faithful sing your praises,

and in their need cry out to you.

For when the floods rise up to drown them

your endless grace will lead them through.

5. You are the one I seek for shelter -

my hiding place from all I fear.

You circle me with cries of rescue.

Your love will be forever near.

6.* Let us need not a bit or bridle

like horses have when they are lead.

God will himself instruct and guide us

helping us see the way ahead.

7.* Those who reject the Lord are helpless

but love surrounds the ones who trust.

Be glad and shout for joy, you righteous.

Rejoice and know that God is just.

Omit verses with * if only Psalm 32.1-7 is required.

(c) Tim Norwood. This text can be reproduced without charge but may not be printed comercially without the permission of the author.

Psalm 99

Tune: St Matthew DCM

1. The Lord is king; he reigns on high,

let all the nations quake;

enthroned upon the cherubim

he makes earth move and shake!

The Lord is Zion’s Mighty King,

exalted all abroad.

Let nations praise his fearful name.

Sing, Holy is the Lord!

2. O Mighty King, in strength you come,

and reign in equity.

For love of justice, you delight

to judge us righteously.

In Jacob’s land you bring forth peace

according to your word.

Exalt the Lord. At his feet fall.

Sing, Holy is the Lord!

3. Moses, Aaron and Samuèl,

called on God’s holy name.

They cried to God, who answered them.

From cloud their answer came.

They kept the statutes of the Lord,

to peace they were restored.

Exalt the Lord, who is our God.

Sing, Holy is the Lord!

(c) Tim Norwood. This text can be reproduced without charge but may not be printed comercially without the permission of the author.