One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 23 using the traditional words from The Scottish Psalter to the traditional tune ‘Crimond’. I do like the Townend version, but would have liked him to have included Psalm 23:5a.

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own Name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill,
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

A table Thou hast furnished me
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.

(Photo: David Beale)

One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 22 using the words from Brian Foley to the tune of When I survey the wondrous cross (Rockingham).

Why, God, have you forsaken me –
more distant now, the more I cry?
Must I, alone, unanswered, go
like one unloved, alone to die?

Our fathers, when they prayed to you
in every need, in every prayer,
were heard by you and saved by you,
and never doubted that you care!

But now my people turn on me,
with hate, not pity, in their eyes;
and all who see me, see in me
no man, a worm that they despise!

‘Let God deliver him,’ they say,
‘His God would save him, was his claim!’
They only wait to see me die;
they share my clothing in a game!

My hands and feet they bind to wound;
my bones they number, and each breath,
until with burning thirst I taste
the bitter agony of death!

My God, I trust you, trust you still-
be near, be near to hear my prayer!
I know that all who hope in you
are safe in death from death’s despair.

Then I and all who live for you,
this day and till the end of days,
will tell of ever-answered prayer,
and pray this world’s most thankful praise!

(Photo: David Beale)

One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 21 using the words from Trinity Psalter Hymnal to the tune of Hetherton.

O LORD, in your great strength the king has joy abundantly;
and he exults exceedingly in your great victory.
What he desired within his heart you fully have supplied;
what he requested with his lips, you never have denied.

With gifts, O LORD, you welcomed him, with blessings manifold;
and you have placed upon his head a crown of purest gold.
When he requested life from you, you life to him did give;
such lengths of days you gave to him: forever he will live.

Your victory has made him great, his glory does excel;
with splendor and with majesty you have endowed him well.
For you will ever set on him the blessings of your grace;
and make him glad eternally with joy before your face.

The king upon the LORD relies; his confidence is sure;
and through the love of God Most High, the king is kept secure.
Your hand will search for enemies and find out all your foes,
and all who harbor hate for you, your right hand will oppose.

In anger you will burn them up at your appointed hour;
in wrath, the LORD will swallow them, in fiery flames devour.
Their fruit you will remove from earth, their children from mankind.
Their evil plots will not succeed, nor schemes they have designed.

For you will make them all retreat – your arrows are in place –
they sit upon your bowstring, aimed to strike them in the face.
In your almighty strength, O LORD, exalt yourself on high;
then we will sing with psalms of praise, your power glorify.

(Photo: David Beale)

One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 112 using the words from Sing Psalms to the tune of ‘Tell out my sou’.

Praise God! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD
And finds delight in following his word.
His children will be mighty in the land;
His line will know the blessing of God’s hand.

Riches and wealth within his house are found;
His righteousness for ever will abound.
The man who stands for mercy, truth and right
Will find the darkness turn to morning light.

Good is the man who gives and freely lends;
To his affairs with justice he attends.
Surely a righteous man will stand secure;
His memory for ever will endure.

Though bad news comes, he will not be afraid;
His heart is firm; he trusts the LORD for aid.
He will not be alarmed, his heart holds fast;
He’ll view his foes in triumph at the last.

He freely shares his riches with the poor;
His righteousness for ever will endure.
The LORD himself exalts his servant’s name;
He gives him strength and dignity and fame.

The wicked, seeing this, will feel dismay;
He’ll gnash his teeth and soon will waste away.
The wicked and their dreams will come to nought;
They never will enjoy what they have sought.

(Photo: David Beale)

One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 148 using the words from Sing Psalms to the tune of ‘I will sing the wondrous story’.

One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 148 using the words from Sing Psalms to the tune of ‘Rejoice, the Lord is King’.

O praise, O praise the LORD!
Praise him from heavens’ height!
All angels, give him praise;
Praise him, you hosts of light.
Praise him, sun, moon and stars on high,
You highest heavens and cloudy sky.

O let them praise his name,
The name of God the LORD,
For he created them
By his almighty word.
He set their place eternally;
For ever fixed is his decree.

The LORD praise from the earth,
You creatures of the deep,
Fire, hail, snow, clouds and winds,
Which his commandments keep.
You hills and trees, beasts wild and tame,
Small creatures, birds, exalt his name.

All nations and earth’s kings,
Princes and all who reign;
Young men and maidens too,
Both children and old men:
The LORD’s great name by them be praised;
His name alone on high is raised.

His glory shines abroad
Above the earth and heaven;
And he to his own folk
A mighty king has given.
Let Israèl give praise to God;
They are his people. Praise the LORD!

(Photo: David Beale)

One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 29 using the words from the Seedbed Psalter to the tune of ‘Immortal Invisible’.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you ones of great might;
Ascribe to the Lord glory, strength in your sight.
Ascribe to Him glory, and His name adore;
In splendor of holiness, worship the Lord.

The voice of the Lord is above the great sea;
He thunders in glory; o’er waters is He!
The voice of the Lord, full of power and might;
His voice is majestic and flaming in light.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars in two;
The cedars of Lebanon, He does subdue.
The Lord makes all Lebanon skip like a deer.
Mount Hermon is like a young ox when He’s near.

The voice of the Lord strikes with flashing of light.
His voice shakes the desert of Kadesh with might.
The voice of the Lord strips the forests all bare;
And all in His temple, His glory declare.

The Lord sits enthroned o’er the flood – He is King.
The Lord on His throne sits forever as King.
The Lord gives His people His strength without cease.
The Lord is the One who will bless them with peace.

(Photo: David Beale)

One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 127 using the words from the Sing Psalms to the tune of ‘O God our help in ages past’.

Unless the LORD builds up the house,
its builders toil in vain;
Unless he keeps the city safe,
they vainly watch maintain.

In vain you rise before the dawn
and late hours vainly keep
That you may toil for food to eat—
he gives his loved ones sleep.

Sons are a precious heritage,
a blessing from the LORD;
The children that are born to us
are truly his reward.

Like arrows in a warrior’s hand
are children of one’s youth.
The man whose quiver’s full of them
is blessed by God in truth.

Such men will not be put to shame—
that will not be their fate—
When they contend against their foes
who face them in the gate.

(Photo: David Beale)

One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.

This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 42 using the words from the Songbook of New Covenant Presbyterian Church to the tune of ‘The Solid Rock’.

As pants the deer for water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God;
When will I see the face of God?
Tears are my food both day and night.
All day men say, “Where is your God?”
All day men say, “Where is your God?”

My soul’s poured out as I recall
How to God’s house I led the crowds
With joyful songs to keep the feast.
My soul, why so cast down, disturbed?
Hope now in God; I’ll praise Him still.
He is my help. He is my God.
He is my help. He is my God.

(Photo: David Beale)