Psalms for the Spirit

Apr 26 2024 2

Psalms for the Spirit Podcast artwork

This podcast looks at the connections between spirituality and resilience through the lens of the Biblical Psalms. It explores how the Psalms help people through difficult times – times of personal and collective trauma – through conversations about personal story, field research, and theological reflection from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Listeners might include clergy, seminarians, spiritual directors, hymnwriters, church musicians, mental health practitioners, anyone interested in the intersection between spirituality and lived experience.

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Psalm of the Week: Create in Me/Psalm 51

Apr 26 2024 6 mins

This Psalm is known for its messages about a clean heart, forgiveness, and a renewed spirit, and is often used during Lent. Set here with the Irish traditional tune Logan’s Lament, this paraphrase focuses on the imagery of a parent kindly and gently washing away the layers that “hide” us, or that cover up the God-given beauty each one of us possesses, thereby allowing us to b

Psalm of the Week: The God of Jacob/Psalm 46

Apr 19 2024 7 mins

The lyrical air ‘Dawning of the Day’ (Fáinne Geal an Lae) conveys this Psalm’s message of courage and hope. Through the imagery presented in this Psalm, we see mountains falling into the sea, and the world in upheaval ~ yet, we are also presented with the assuring image of a river that brings joy, and the message that we might be still and know that God is the ultimate ruler

Psalm of the Week: As the Deer Longs for Streams/Psalm 42

Apr 12 2024 6 mins

This psalm of longing is set to the relatively well-known traditional melody, ‘Down by the Salley Gardens.’ Its iconic imagery of the deer panting or longing for streams of water, as our souls thirst for God, leads us into this depiction of someone whose soul is “cast down” and needing to be reminded of something to hope in.You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for A

Psalm of the Week: Rock of Refuge/Psalm 31

Apr 05 2024 6 mins

This prayer for strength, courage, and refuge during a time of distress is combined here with the Irish traditional song Spancilhill. The Psalm resolves by transitioning into a testament to God’s help in the past, and an encouragement to those in distress as it offers the words “May courage fill your hearts.”You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for Rock of Refuge on t

Psalm of the Week: You Have Turned My Sorrow/Psalm 30

Mar 29 2024 7 mins

Proclaiming God’s power to transform sorrow into ‘dancing and song,’ this Psalm is sung to the uplifting Irish melody, “Green Grows the Laurel.” It’s a testament to coming through a time of sorrow and mourning, and finding dancing, song, and joy once again.You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for You Have Turned My Sorrow on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celtic

Psalm of the Week: The Lord is My Light/Psalm 27

Mar 22 2024 7 mins

The air ‘Down in Yon Banke’ is originally a wordless Scottish country dance song, and in this rendition becomes a prayer for God’s eternal presence, especially in times of turmoil and fear. The Psalm speaks of enemies stumbling and falling in the midst of raging war, and expresses that longing to behold God’s beauty and to see God’s face.You can find lyrics, scores/books,

Psalm of the Week: For I Wait/Psalm 25

Mar 15 2024 6 mins

In this Psalm of discernment, the writer expresses the longing to hear God’s guidance in the stillness of prayer. Set to the traditional Irish melody “For Ireland I’ll Not Tell Her Name,” this song sits with the longing to know how to walk in the right paths of truth and love.You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for For I Wait on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celti

Psalm of the Week: The Lord's My Shepherd/Psalm 23

Mar 08 2024 6 mins

This beloved Psalm, describing God shepherding us through green pastures and dark valleys, is set to the well-known traditional Irish air ‘The Parting Glass.’ In this Psalm, we hear themes of restoration for our souls, accompaniment through challenging times, and the hope of a feast and a future of goodness and mercy.You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The Lord’s

Psalm of the Week: My God, My God/Psalm 22

Mar 01 2024 7 mins

Set to the Irish air ‘Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore,’ this song captures the lament of the Psalm while adding a drive and energy that brings to light the hope offered at its conclusion. This Psalm typically accompanies reflections on Good Friday, though it is an important accompaniment to any time in which we struggle with a sense of forsakenness.You can find lyrics, scores/bo

Psalm of the Week: The Heavens Declare/Psalm 19

Feb 22 2024 7 mins

This soaring Irish traditional melody, ‘The Lark in the Clear Air’ brings a lightness to this Psalm about God’s revelation in both creation and scripture. The words of the Psalm remind us that the skies tell a story of who God is, and teach us important things, without words.You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The Heavens Declare on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www