Case study -- singing Psalm 25

For Pastor Ted's 6-part series on humility, I thought we should sing a particularly psalm each time -- both to reinforce the major themes of the series, to give voice to our response in prayer, and with hopes that the congregation might learn it.

So we chose Psalm 25. It covers the sober thing prayer is, what to pray for, holy arguments in prayer, and reasons to encourage our praying. We sing it each time before the preached word.


Psalm 25
Meter: 6 7s
Tune: Mt. Zion (I really considered using the tune for "O great God" -- but I knew I wanted that hymn also in this series. Of the other 6 7s tunes we know,, this one seemed best.
Note: the psalm in Hebrew is in acrostic form ("A to Z" as it were). See how the hymn-writer found a way to approximate that in this version
Note: This is more of a paraphrase of Psalm 25. The tension still remains how to sing the entire psalm -- if we keep to a metrical form (rather than free-form chanting) -- and not have it take entirely too long to sing. Churches who sing from published psalters ordinarily do not sing the entire psalm at one time.

Verse 1:
All my soul to God I raise
Be my guardian all my days
Confident in hope I rest
Daily prove your path is best
Ever work in me your will
Faithful to your promise still

Verse 2:
Graciously my sins forgive
Help me by your truth to live
In your footsteps lead me Lord
Joy renewed and hope restored
Knowing every sin forgiven
Learning all the ways of heaven

Verse 3:
Mercies manifold extend
Not as judge but faithful friend
O my Savior hear my prayer
Pluck my feet from every snare
Quiet peace be mine at last
Rest from all my guilty past

Verse 4:
Sheltered safe when troubles fret
Trusting God I triumph yet
Undismayed in him I stand
Victor only by his hand
Worship homage love and praise
All my soul to God I raise

Author: Timothy Dudley-Smith
Copyright: ©1984 Hope Publishing Co.
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Sunday Setlist for 9/27/09

MORNING
Tim Hoak preached on Christ's righteousness from Phil 3:7-9. Really clear, excellent. This was Friend Sunday, so the emphasis was particularly on making the gospel clear. Dave Malone led the music.


Walk in Song
Only Your Mercy (only your grace)

1st Set
O My Soul, Arise and Bless Your Maker
Indescribable
Jesus thank you

b/4 sermon
Power of the Cross
Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness

EVENING
Pastor Sam continued his exposition of Romans, this time from 3:21-31, on the heart of the heart of the book of Romans -- God's righteouness by the work of Christ.

walk-in
There is a fountain

set
My hope is built
Wonderful cross (Tomlin's chorus, but used a different hymn by Watts, what he calls "Salvation in the Cross")
In christ alone

b/4 sermon
Give me Christ
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Sunday Setlist for 9/20/09

MORNING
PT continued on humility, why it is important.


Walk-in
Look you saints

Set
Your great name we praise (sov grace version of "Immortal, invisible")
Shine, Jesus, shine
How deep the Father's love for us
Surrender all

B/4 sermon
Psalm 25

EVENING
Pastor Sam preached on the ruin of all men, from Romans 3:9-20. David Malone led worship.

Set
Come, Christians, join to sing
Indescribable

2nd set
Let your kingdom come
His forever
There is a Redeemer
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Sunday Setlist for 9/13/09

MORNING
PT continued his series on humility. Its source.


Walk-in
Let us love and sing and wonder

Set
Everlasting God
Hear our praises
Jesus paid it all
O great God

B/4 sermon
Psalm 25

Evening
Due to illness, had a change in preaching. PB preached on heavenly-mindedness from Col 3. Mark Redfern led the worship.

Set
A Debtor to Mercy Alone
See, What A Morning
Be Unto Your Name

B/4 sermon
I Boast No More
More Love To Thee
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Sunday Setlist September 6, 2009

MORNING
Pastor Ted began a 6-part series on the theme of humility. This morning, "What is humility?"

walk-in
I know whom I have believed

set
Grace unmeasured
Come thou Fount
O the deep, deep love of Jesus
My soul finds rest (Psalm 62)

b/4
Have thine own way, Lord (tune: Katie Redfern)

EVENING
Pastor Joe prepared us for the Lord's Table, preaching on the final judgment. David Malone led the singing.

Hallelujah, raise oh raise [Ps 113] (tune: Katie Redfern)
Behold the Lamb (Getty)
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