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 40.

What options are available?

8 verses in The Book of Psalms for Worship split into two parts, but sung to a terrible metre for familiar tunes.  14 verses in Sing Psalms to Long Metre.  10 verses in The Trinity Psalter Hymnal to the CMD metre.  16 verses in Seedbed Psalter to Common Metre.

We’ve opted for the first 4 of the 16 verses in the Seedbed Psalter (covering Psalm 40:1-4).  Less satisfactory is the five verse version in Praise! which is to 88 88 D metre.

From Seedbed Psalter which can be sung to the tune for O for a Heart to Praise my God:

I waited for the LORD my God,
I waited patiently;
And He in mercy heard my cry;
inclined His ear to me.

He brought me up out of the pit,
out from the miry clay;
He set my feet upon a rock,
there firm to stand and stay.

He put a new song in my mouth,
God’s praise for all to hear;
And many then will trust the LORD
who see and learn to fear.

How bless’d the one who trusts the LORD,
who looks not to the proud;
Nor to the ones who turn aside
to false gods all around.

From Praise! which can be sung to the tune for In Christ Alone or Before the Throne of God above:

Patient in hope, I sought the LORD;
he turned to me-my cry was heard!
Raising me from the miry pit,
on solid rock he set my feet.
He turned my cry to newborn song:
from heart and voice God’s praises sprang;
many who see such grace outpoured,
fearing, will turn and trust the Lord.

Happy are those who put their trust
in God the Lord—not like the lost,
following leaders blind and proud,
worshipping some pretended god.
How many wonders you have done,
what blessings still for us you plan,
O Lord-my God beyond compare!-
mercies too many to declare.

You have desired not sacrifice
but open ears to obey your voice;
‘I come,’ I answered, ‘at your call,
as written of me in the scroll.
I come your purpose to fulfil,
glad, O my God, to do your will;
joyful obedience is my part:
your law is written in my heart.’

Now have your gathered people heard
news of your righteousness, O Lord;
I have not failed to tell them of
your saving acts and steadfast love.
LORD, do not hold your mercies back:
so many storm clouds round me break;
my countless faults come crowding in,
my heart is overwhelmed by sin.

Be pleased, O Lord, to rescue me
from all who seek my life today;
let all who laugh at my distress
be put to flight in sheer disgrace.
May all whose hope on you is set
constantly say: ‘The Lord is great!’
Poor and in need, to you I pray;
hear, O my God, do not delay.

(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 39.

What options are available?

12 verses in Sing Psalms or 11 verses in Seedbed Psalter to Common Metre.  8 verses in The Trinity Psalter Hymnal to the 10 10 10 10 metre.

The Book of Psalms for Worship splits the Psalm into two parts of 4 verses.  We’ve opted to sing the first part which covers verses 1 to 9.  A good alternative would be the six verse version in the Praise! which can be sung to the same tune.

From The Book of Psalms for Worship which can be sung to the tune for Immortal honours rest on Jesus’ head:

I said, “I will keep watch and guard my ways,
And I will keep my tongue from sinful stain.
As with a bridle I will keep my mouth,
While in my presence wicked men remain.”

Silent, I ceased from speaking even good;
My heart within was hot, my sorrow stirred.
And while I mused a fire began to burn;
Then with my tongue I spoke this earnest word:

“LORD, make me know my end, my numbered days;
And let me know how fleeting is my life;
For You have made my days a handbreadth long;
My lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.

“Each man at best is but a fleeting breath.
Man, like a shadow, wanders to and fro;
Surely an uproar he creates in vain;
He never knows to whom his riches go.”

From Praise! which can be sung to the tune for Immortal honours rest on Jesus’ head:

I kept my mouth from every sinful word,
lest evil thoughts the wicked overheard;
but silence made my pain intensify,
so with a burning heart I made my cry:

‘Show me my end, the measure of my days,
how fleeting are my years beneath your gaze;
life’s little span, so short from birth to death,
within your hand is nothing but a breath.

‘The merest shadow, moving to and fro,
busy in vain, how soon we come and go,
we heap up wealth, our future all unknown,
then strangers come and reap where we have sown.

‘What do I wait for? Lord, I hope in you,
all my transgressions cover from your view;
do not let fools rejoice when I’m cast down;
my mouth was silenced, humbled by your frown.

‘Remove the scourge my soul cannot withstand,
my life is crushed beneath your chastening hand,
for you rebuke us when we go astray;
our wealth consumed, like breath we pass away.

‘Lord, hear my cry; do not neglect my tears,
I feel an exile, with a stranger’s fears;
avert your eye, and make my torment cease,
restore my joy and let me die in 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 38.

Apart from the 5 verses version in Praise! which can be sung to the tune of ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say’, all the other versions have either 11, 12 or 13 verses.  Fortunately they are set to metres with a number of well-known tunes to choose from.

We’ve chosen to sing a selection of verses (covering verses 1-6, 21-22 of the Psalm) from the version in the Trinity Psalter hymnbook.

From The Trinity Psalter Hymnal which can be sung to the tune for When I survey the wondrous cross (Rockingham Old):

LORD, in your wrath rebuke me not,
nor in your anger chasten me.
Deeply your arrows sink within;
heavy your hand weighs down on me.

There is no soundness in my flesh,
for you are angry at my sin.
There is no health within my bones;
your indignation burns within.

Guilt rises up above me head;
sins’ heavy burden weighs me down.
Loathsome and fest’ring are my wounds;
LORD, for my foolishness I mourn.

LORD God, I pray, forsake me not!
My God, do not be far from me!
Hasten to rescue me, O Lord,
you are salvation unto me!

From Praise! which can be sung to the tune for I heard the voice of Jesus say:

Rebuke me not in anger, Lord:
restrain your wrath, I pray;
grant that your child be yet restored,
not judged and cast away.
I feel your arrows deep within,
I sink beneath your hand
and underneath a weight of sin
too great for me to stand.

For sinful folly now I pay:
I’m humbled to the ground,
as I go mourning all the day
and no relief is found.
I feel my body racked with pain,
diseased in every part,
so crushed that I cannot contain
the groanings of my heart.

My longings, Lord, to you are known,
you see my every tear;
my strength, my sight are almost gone,
my friends will not come near.
And others lay their deadly snares,
all day they plot and lie;
like one who neither speaks nor hears,
I offer no reply.

In you, O Lord, my hope I place:
Lord, answer when I call;
let those not jeer at my distress,
who long to see me fall.
My foothold is about to go,
my torment will not cease;
and my iniquity I know:
my sin permits no peace.

My foes are many and are strong,
their hatred has no cause;
my kindness they repay with wrong,
although I keep your laws.
O Lord, be with me to the last,
remain for ever near;
come to my rescue, come with haste:
O Lord, my Saviour, hear!

(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 35.

This is another psalm that to sing the whole psalm is not practical.  The version in The Trinity Psalter Hymnal has 11 verses, Sing Psalms has 24 verses, Seedbed Psalter has 18 verses, even the Praise! version which is based on Psalm 35 has 7 verses.  The Book of Psalms for Worship divides the psalm up in 5 parts (18 verses in total), with the third part having a different metre to the others.

We’ve chosen to sing the version in The Book of Psalms for Worship, but only a selection of the verses.

From The Book of Psalms for Worship which can be sung to the tune for The Lord is King:

LORD, You have seen; do not be still.
O LORD , be not far from my sight.
O rouse Yourself, to judgment wake!
My God, my LORD, uphold my right.

With justice judge me, LORD, my God;
Let not my foes gloat over me.
Let them not think, “We’ve swallowed him!
At last, our soul’s desire we see!”

Let them be humbled and ashamed
Who gloat at my calamity;
Clothe them with shame and with disgrace
Who proudly rise up over me.

But let them shout aloud with joy
Who long to see me justified;
And let them never cease to say,
“O let the LORD be magnified.

“Because it brings to Him delight
To see His servant prospering.”
I’ll speak about Your righteousness;
Throughout the day Your praise I’ll sing.

(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 34.

One of the challenges of singing this psalm is its length.  There are two versions in The Trinity Psalter Hymnal both having 7 verses.  Sing Psalms has 13 verses, and Seedbed Psalter has 10 verses.  The Book of Psalms for Worship divides the psalm up into 3 parts, with each having a different metre.

We could have chosen to sing a few verses of Psalm 34, with plenty well-known tunes that could be used.  Instead, we’re going to sing a paraphrase, Through all the changing scenes of life.

Through all the changing scenes of life,
in trouble and in joy,
the praises of my God shall still
my heart and tongue employ.

Of his deliv’rance I will boast,
till all that are distressed
from my example comfort take,
and charm their griefs to rest.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me;
with me exalt his name;
when in distress to him I called,
he to my rescue came.

The hosts of God encamp around
the dwellings of the just;
deliv’rance he affords to all
who on his succour trust.

Oh, make but trial of his love,
experience will decide
how blest are they, and only they,
who in his truth confide.

Fear him, ye saints, and you will then
have nothing else to fear;
make you his service your delight,
your wants shall be his care.

From Praise! which can be sung to the tune for Come Thou Long Expected Jesus:

Tell His praise in song and story,
bless the Lord with heart and voice;
in my God is all my glory,
come before him and rejoice.
Join to praise his name together,
he who hears his people’s cry;
tell his praise, come wind or weather,
shining faces lifted high.

To the Lord whose love has found them
cry the poor in their distress;
swift his angels camped around them
prove him sure to save and bless.
God it is who hears our crying
though the spark of faith be dim;
taste and see! Beyond denying
blessed are those who trust in him.

Taste and see! In faith draw near him,
trust the Lord with all your powers;
seek and serve him, love and fear him,
life and all its joys are ours:
true delight in holy living,
peace and plenty, length of days;
come, my children, with thanksgiving
bless the Lord in songs of praise.

In our need he walks beside us,
ears alert to every cry;
watchful eyes to guard and guide us,
love that whispers ‘It is I’.
Good shall triumph, wrong be righted,
God has pledged his promised word;
so with ransomed saints united
join to praise our living 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 33. There are not a lot of options for this Psalm to choose from, as finding a well-known to sing to in most cases has proven  difficult.

We’ve chosen to sing the version in The Book of Psalms for Worship that covers only the first 5 verses of the Psalm, but another option is listed below.

From The Book of Psalms for Worship which can be sung to the tune for Breathe on me, Breath of God:

With gladness in the LORD,
O let the righteous sing!
For when the upright give Him praise,
It is a fitting thing.

So give the LORD your thanks,
With harp your music raise;
And with a ten-stringed instrument,
Sing out to Him your praise.

And as you sing and play,
Your skillfulness employ.
O sing a new song unto Him;
With shouts express your joy.

For upright is the word
The LORD has given us,
And all the works that He has done
Were done in faithfulness.

For He seeks righteousness,
And all that’s just and fair;
The LORD’s love is throughout the earth,
Abundant everywhere.

From Praise! which can be sung to the tune for I Sing the Mighty Power of God:

Let all the righteous to the LORD
their joyful voices raise!
How right that they should play and sing
to him new songs of praise!
For faithful are his word and works,
beyond all human worth;
the Lord loves what is right and just,
his goodness fills the earth.

The heavens and all their host were made
by his all-powerful word;
at his command the seas appeared
and in the deep are stored.
Let all the earth in awe and fear
before him bow the knee:
the Lord, at whose direct command
creation came to be.

The Lord confounds the nations’ pride,
he foils what they had planned,
but his designs and purposes
they never shall withstand.
O happy nation, then, in which
the Lord as God is known,
called forth by sovereign grace to be
a people of his own.

From heaven the Lord sees humankind:
all live within his view;
and he who forms the hearts of all
considers all they do.
An army cannot save a king
despite its strength and speed;
the Lord sees those who trust in him
to save in time of need.

We wait with patience for the Lord:
he is our help and shield;
and he has given our hearts a joy
which cannot be concealed.
Our trust is in his holy name:
O Lord, our lives endue
for ever with your steadfast love
even as we hope in you.

(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 32 and there are a few options to choose from.

From The Book Psalms for Worship which can be sung to the tune for I heard the voice of Jesus say or It came upon a midnight clear:

What blessedness belongs to him
Who has forgiven been,
For whom transgressions have been cleared,
And covered is his sin.
Blessed is the one for whom the LORD
Counts no iniquity,
And in whose spirit is no taint
Of insincerity.

I languished, silent in my guilt;
My days were filled with groans.
On me Your hand pressed day and night,
And heat dried up my bones.
My sin I then confessed to You,
Not hiding guiltiness;
I said, “I will before the LORD
Transgressions now confess.”

Then You released me from my sin,
And took its guilt away.
And therefore while You may be found,
Let all the godly pray.
They’ll not be harmed by rising floods.
In You I hide in peace;
You keep me safe, surrounding me
With songs of my release.

Instruction I will give to you,
And teach the way to go.
My watchful eye will guide your steps;
My counsel you will know.
Be not like senseless horse or mule,
Which if you would subdue,
You must with bit and bridle hold
To bring him close to you.

How many griefs the wicked earns
As part of his reward;
But cov’nant love surrounds the one
Whose trust is in the LORD.
Be glad and shout, you righteous ones,
And in the LORD rejoice;
And let all those with upright hearts
Sing out with joyful voice.

From The Trinity Psalter Hymnal which can be sung to the tune for O teach me what it meaneth (Rutherford):

How blest is he whose trespass
hath freely been forgiv’n,
whose sin is wholly covered
before the sight of heav’n.
Blest he to whom Jehovah
will not impute his sin,
who hath a guileless spirit,
whose heart is true within.

While I kept guilty silence,
my strength was spent with grief;
thy hand was heavy on me,
my soul found no relief.
But when I owned my trespass,
my sin hid not from thee,
when I confessed transgression,
then thou forgavest me.

So let the godly seek thee
in times when thou art near;
no whelming floods shall reach them,
nor cause their hearts to fear.
In thee, O Lord, I hid me,
thou savest me from ill,
and songs of thy salvation
my heart with rapture thrill.

I graciously will teach thee
the way that thou shalt go,
and with my eye upon thee
my counsel make thee know.
But be ye not unruly
or slow to understand;
be not perverse, but willing
to heed my wise command.

The sorrows of the wicked
in number shall abound,
but those that trust Jehovah,
his mercy shall surround.
Then in the Lord be joyful,
in song lift up your voice;
be glad in God, ye righteous;
rejoice, ye saints, rejoice.

From Praise! which can be sung to the tune for Christian awake salute this happy morn:

Happy are those, beyond all measure blessed,
who know their guilt is gone, their faults forgiven;
who taste the joys that come from sin confessed,
whose hearts are blameless in the sight of heaven.
Blessings are ours beneath a Father’s hand;
by love made welcome, uncondemned we stand.

God is our strength when troubles flood the heart;
from his high throne he stoops to hear our prayer.
When trials come, the Lordshall take our part,
our rock of refuge from the storms of care.
Safely enfolded in his keeping strong,
his sure salvation is our triumph-song.

God is our guide who watches all our way;
gently he teaches us our path to find.
Be not self-willed, like beasts that go astray,
God will direct our feet and form our mind:
mercy embraces us on every side
with God our joy, our Saviour, strength and guide.

From Seedbed Psalter which can be sung to the tune for O the deep deep love of Jesus:

Bless-ed is the one whose sin is covered over by the Lord,
Whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose guilt God won’t record.
Bless-ed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against him,
In whose spirit no deceit or hidden sin is found within.

When I held my sin inside me, and kept silent in my way,
Then my bones grew weak and wasted through my groaning all the day.
For Your hand was heavy on me; day and night, my strength did lapse;
Sapped away as in the heat of summer’s hot, lethargic grasp.

Then I told You of my sin, and did not hide iniquity;
I said, “I’ll confess my trespass”—You forgave, purged guilt from me.
Therefore, let the godly pray to You while You may still be found;
Surely waters will not reach me, mighty waves that surge around.

For You are my place of hiding, You protect me from all strife;
And with songs of Your deliv’rance, You surround and keep my life.
“I will teach and will instruct you in the way that you should go;
I will counsel and watch o’er you; the right path to you I’ll show.

“Don’t be like the horse or mule that do not understand at all;
Lest they’re led by bit and bridle, they won’t come when you do call.”
Many woes afflict the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love
does surround the ones who trust Him. Sing! Rejoice in God above!

(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 31.  There are not a lot of options for this Psalm to choose from.

From The Book Psalms for Worship which can be sung to the tune for The Church’s One Foundation (we won’t be singing all 10 verses, but will select 5 of them!):

In You, LORD, I take refuge;
Let shame not come to me.
In righteousness give answer;
Set me at liberty.
O hasten to my rescue,
And to my plea give heed;
O be my rock and refuge,
A fortress in my need.

You are my rock and fortress;
For Your name lead and guide.
Because You are my stronghold,
Free me from nets they hide.
Into Your hand my spirit
I now entrust to You;
Because You have redeemed me,
LORD God whose word is true.

I hate those serving idols;
But in the LORD I rest.
Your love gives me great gladness;
You saw me when oppressed.
You knew my soul’s affliction,
And kept me from my foe.
My feet You have established,
Where they can safely go.

O LORD, be gracious to me,
Because of my travail;
My eye from grief is withered,
My soul and body fail.
My life is spent with sorrow,
My years with sighing fade,
My strength fails in affliction,
My bones become decayed.

My adversaries mock me,
My neighbors look with dread,
My friends did not come near me,
They turned around and fled.
Forgotten like a dead man,
I’m like a broken pot.
Their whispers terrify me—
Because my death they plot.

I say, “You are my God,” LORD;
With faith in You I stand.
Save me from persecutors;
My times are in Your hand.
O may light from Your presence
Upon Your servant shine;
And in Your lovingkindness
Make Your salvation mine.

O put me not to shame, LORD,
I trust in You to save;
Let shame confound the wicked,
Brought speechless to the grave.
Let lying lips be silenced,
So insolent and vain,
That speak against the righteous,
With words of proud disdain.

How great the good You’ve gathered
For those revering You,
Stored up for all who trust You
Where sons of men may view.
Within Your secret presence,
There You preserve their life,
Away from whispered scheming,
And far from tongues of strife.

The LORD be blessed forever,
He showed His love to me;
Besieged once like a city,
I faced the enemy.
I said when filled with panic,
“I’m cast out from Your sight.”
But still You heard my pleading,
When I cried out in fright.

O love the LORD, you godly!
The LORD the faithful keeps.
But one whose deeds are haughty,
Full recompense he reaps.
So then, be strong and steadfast,
And let your heart be brave;
All you who wait with patience,
Wait on the LORD to save.

(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 30 and there are lots of options to choose from.

From The Book Psalms for Worship which can be sung to the tune for Thy Hand O God has Guided:

O LORD, I will exalt You,
For You have lifted me;
My foes You kept from boasting,
Denied them victory.
O LORD, my God, I pleaded
That You might heal and save;
LORD, You from death have ransomed,
And kept me from the grave.

Sing praises, O you godly,
Who to the LORD belong;
And to His name most holy
Show gratitude in song.
His anger lasts a moment,
His grace through life goes on;
Though through the night tears linger,
Great joy comes with the dawn.

When prosp’rous, I once boasted,
“Unmoved I shall remain.”
But You, LORD, by Your favor
My mountain’s strength maintain;
For when Your face was hidden,
I then became dismayed.
O LORD, to You I cried out,
And to the Lord I prayed:

“O where is the advantage
If my blood should be shed?
Will dust declare You faithful,
Can praise come from the dead?
O LORD, to me be gracious,
And hear me as I’ve prayed.
To You, O LORD, I cry out
O be my help, my aid.”

You turned my grief to dancing,
From sackcloth set me free.
You wrapped me up in gladness;
I shall not silent be.
Indeed, my soul, my glory,
Will praise You and adore;
O LORD, my God, I’ll thank You
Both now and evermore.

From The Trinity Psalter Hymnal which can be sung to the tune for Thy Hand O God has Guided:

O LORD, I will extol you,
for you have lifted me;
my foes you kept from boasting
and gloating over me.
O LORD, my God, I pleaded
that you might heal and save;
you brought my soul from Sheol,
restored me from the grave.

His holy name remember;
you saints, the LORD now praise;
his anger lasts a moment,
his favor all our days;
for though the tears of weeping
may tarry for a night,
there comes a shout of gladness
when dawns the morning light.

In prosp’rous days I boasted,
“Unmoved I shall remain,”
for LORD, by your good favor
my mountain you maintained.
But when your face was hidden,
my heart was terrified.
To you, O LORD, I pleaded;
for mercy, Lord, I cried.

What profit if I perish,
if I descend to death?
Shall dust proclaim your praises
or speak your faithfulness?
O LORD, on me have mercy,
and my petition hear;
that you may be my helper,
in mercy, LORD, appear.

You turned my grief to dancing,
from sackcloth set me free.
You clothed me ’round with gladness;
I shall not silent be.
My soul will sing your praises,
your name will I adore;
O LORD, my God, I thank you,
both now and evermore!

From Seedbed Psalter which can be sung to the tune for The King of Love my Shepherd is:

I will exalt You, LORD, my God, for You have lifted me
out of the depths and did not let my foes gloat over me.
O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and healing came;
You brought me up from grave and pit, and spared me from great shame.

Sing to the LORD, you saints of His, and praise His holy Name;
His anger lasts a moment, but His favor will remain.
For weeping may remain all night, and heavy sorrow borne;
But with the dawn returns the light; rejoicing comes with morn.

When I felt safe, I boldly said, “I’ll never shaken be!”
O LORD, You made my hill stand firm, when You showed grace to me.
But when You hid Your face from me, I surely was dismayed.
To You I called, LORD – to the LORD my cry for mercy made:

“What gain is there if I’m destroyed and go down to the pit?
Will dust praise You? Will faithfulness of God be told by it?
Hear me, O LORD, and be my help! Be merciful to me!
O LORD my God, I cry to You—my helper please now be!”

You turned my mourning into dance; my feet with dance employed.
My sackcloth You removed and then You clothed me with great joy,
That my heart may sing praise to You, and never silent be.
O LORD my God, I’ll give You thanks and praise eternally!

From Praise! which can be sung to the tune for Love Divine:

I exalt You, LORD eternal,
from the depths you raised my soul;
all my enemies were silent,
all their gloating tongues were still.
Lord, I called on you to help me,
and you healed me in my need;
Lord, you brought me back from darkness,
from the pit my soul was freed.

Praise the Lord, his faithful people,
let us praise his holy name,
for his anger lasts a moment
but his grace remains the same.
Though I pass the night in weeping,
when the darkness flees away,
then rejoicing fills the morning,
lasting joy will greet the day.

In the times of peace and blessing,
when my life felt safe and sure,
I had said, ‘Now none can shake me,
on God’s rock I stand secure.’
Then your face was hidden from me,
and my spirit was dismayed,
crying out to you for mercy:
‘Hear, O Lord! come to my aid.’

‘What is gained by my destruction
in the pit of loneliness?
Will the dust sing praises to you?
Will it show your faithfulness?
Quickly come for my salvation,
show your mercy, meet my need,
hear my prayer, O Lord, and answer,
for your help, O Lord, I plead.’

Then you turned my tears to dancing
took my cloak of grief away,
and you filled my heart with gladness,
clothed my soul with radiant joy.
Let my heart no more keep silent!
Let my lips sing songs of praise!
You, O Lord my God, I’ll worship,
thanking you through all my days.

(Photo: David Beale)