The past few weeks in the Psalms, one of the predominant themes has been the seeming prosperity of the wicked. In Psalm 16, David still witnesses the prosperity of the wicked. We live in a world that is not unlike David’s. We live in a world where there are jail sentences for the righteous, fines…
Henry Haffner
When planning for this summer psalms series, I initially chose Psalm 15 for a new setting because of the calendar: Psalm 15 was scheduled for the last Sunday in June (a month with five Sundays), which meant we could practice the new setting over four Sundays before using it to conclude the service this week.…
Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.
—James 5:13, King James Version
Though psalm singing is a common practice throughout the history of Christian worship, the creation of metrical psalms—translations of the psalms into strict rhyming verse that can be easily fitted to musical settings in…
In Psalm 13 David seeks the Lord for answers, “lest [he] sleep the sleep of death.” Much of the music in this morning’s service reflects this desperate situation. Hymns like Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, Jesus, Lover of My Soul, and O Thou In Whose Presence address God directly, giving voice to a people…
This is an acoustic demo of a setting of Psalm 15, which we'll be singing in worship all through the month of June.
Psalm 15 (STONE MOUNTAIN)
Text: based on Psalm 15:1-5, Henry C. Haffner, 2024; Music: STONE MOUNTAIN, Henry C. Haffner, 2024.
Who shall abide in the tents of the Lord,
Who shall dwell on…
Here at Parish, we have long enjoyed singing the psalms, often to musical settings produced in house. But psalm singing is a distinctive of the Reformed faith that goes back to the origins of the movement in the 16th century. The setting of Psalm 12 we will sing at the end of this morning’s service…
In Psalm 11:3, David cries out in distress “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The comforting answer is found in the following verse, “The Lord is in His holy temple” (Psalm 11:4). God is on His throne, He sees our troubles, and He will put all things to right—a sentiment found…
One of the primary contrasts found in the first book of the Psalter is that between God’s people and their enemies, often referred to as “the righteous” and “the wicked.” You can certainly find this contrast in this morning’s sermon text (see Psalm 10:2, 8-10, 12-13, 18), as well as many of the psalms and…
Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…
—Acts 2:2-4
This morning, along with the rest…
The author of Hebrews concludes his letter with a blessing from “Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep.” Pastoral images abound in this morning’s service: readings from Psalm 23 and Micah 5 describe Christ as our shepherd, along with the hymns Jesus, Shepherd Of Thy People, How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds, and O…