Thoughts for the Day

Saturday, 25th January 2025: Let all the people's praise God

Nations Earth Psalms Singing Praise God Psalm 67

Reading : Verses from Psalm 67

Praise-God-christianity-30399906-1280-960

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,Selah
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere him.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)


Thoughts

From a young age I sang the psalms weekly in church, at choir practice and on a Sunday, letting them wash into my soul in the same way that other traditions would absorb Gospel songs, although since mother my was a Baptist and sang a lot I was pretty familiar with those as well. Psalm 67 is one of those that I love. It is a paean of praise to God. It's Latin name is the Deus misereatur, and in a well known setting by J. Nares verses 3 and 5 in some music books are in unison with a descant above, which emphasises the words "Let all the peoples praise You'.

James Nares was born in Norwich in the 18th century. He began his career as the Deputy Organist of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, moved from there to become Organist of York Minster, and then moved to the Chapel Royal in 1756 as organist and composer to George III. His anthems and chants are still sung, in cathedrals and choirs.

When we sing we forget everything but our singing (well alright, unless it's how hard it is to get the top notes sometimes); we can find a headache disappears; unhappiness becomes peace; and we are restored to a slightly better place. After a week of looking at different Christian denominations perhapt unity would start if we all just praised God. When we forget ourselves and remember all God has done for us, we can find ourselves in a much happier frame of mind.


Prayer

God you are merciful to us
and You bless us each and every day.
You send the sun and the rain,
the wind and the snow,
and even though we know we
are damaging our planet,
still You care for us.
We praise You, for You judge us fairly,
and we bless You for Your mercy
on us, Your children.
Amen.


Follow Up Thoughts

I was unable to find Psalm 67 set to Nares' chant with the descant, but you might like to listen to this lovely anthem sung by the boys of St Ninian's cathedral in Perth, Scotland, which was written by James Nares:

'The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.
In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,
And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.
For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.
for God hath found them worthy for himself.
And in the day of their visitation they shall shine.
They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people.'

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