We’re looking upward in this week’s home edition of the programme with two settings of Psalm 121: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills’.
Light through stained glass window, Holy Trinity Cathedral Photo: RNZ / Paul Bushnell
SONG: ALL PEOPLE THAT ON EARTH DO DWELL
Artist: Scottish Philharmonic Singers
Words/Music: Kethe/Bourgeois
Recording: Abbey 282830
All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell.
Come ye before him and rejoice.
Know that the Lord is God indeed;
without our aid he did us make;
we are his folk; he doth us feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.
O enter then his gates with praise;
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good;
his mercy is forever sure;
his truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
The God whom Heaven and earth adore,
From men and from the angel host
Be praise and glory evermore.
Amen.
SONG: I TO THE HILLS
Artist: Scottish Philharmonic Singers
Words/Music: Psalm 121/Ravenscroft
Recording: Abbey 282830
I to the hills will lift mine eyes,
from whence doth come mine aid.
My safety cometh from the Lord,
who heav'n and earth hath made.
Thy foot he'll not let slide, nor will
he slumber that thee keeps.
Behold, he that keeps Israel,
he slumbers not, nor sleeps.
The Lord thee keeps, the Lord thy shade
on thy right hand doth stay:
The moon by night thee shall not smite,
nor yet the sun by day.
The Lord shall keep thy soul; he shall
preserve thee from all ill.
Henceforth thy going out and in
God keep for ever will.
SONG: PSALM 121 (ROSE)
Artist: Choir of St John’s, Elora, Noel Edison (dir), Michael Bloss (organ)
Words/Music: Psalm 121/Rose
Recording: Naxos 8.572540
I will lift up my eyes unto the hills
from whence cometh my help come.
My help cometh even from the Lord,
who hath made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved;
he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord himself is thy keeper;
the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand.
So that the sun shall not burn thee by day,
neither moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil;
yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out
and thy coming in from this time forth and for evermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:
world without end. Amen.
SONG:WHEN MOUNTAINS RISE TO OPEN SKIES
Artist: Palmerston North Choral Society
Words/Music: Shirley Murray/Vernon Griffiths
Recording: Private CD812
Where mountains rise to open skies
your name, O God, is echoed far,
from island beach to kauri's reach,
in water's light, in lake and star.
Your people's heart, your people's part
be in our caring for this land,
for faith to flower, for aroha
to let each other's mana stand.
From broken word, from conflict stirred,
from lack of vision, set us free
to see the line of your design,
to feel creation's energy.
Your love be known, compassion shown,
that every child have equal scope:
in justice done, in trust begun
shall be our heritage and hope.
Where mountains rise to open skies
your way of peace distill the air,
your spirit bind all humankind,
one covenant of life to share!
SONG: O CHRISTE DOMINE JESU
Artist: St Thomas’ Music Group, Margaret Rizza (dir)
Words/Music: Jacques Berthier
Recording: Alliance Music 1999
O Christe Domine Jesu
I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace.
Peace for his people and his friends,
and those whose hearts turn to him.
My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word.
Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
SONG: O FOR A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD
Artist: St Michael’s Singers, Coventry, Paul Leddington Wright (dir), David Poulter (organ)
Words/Music: Cowper/Gardiner
Recording: Newton/Trad
O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame.
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
Return, O holy Dove! return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame:
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
SONG: ONE THERE IS ABOVE ALL OTHERS
Artist: St Michael’s Singers, Coventry, Paul Leddington Wright (dir), David Poulter (organ)
Words/Music: Newton/Norton
Recording: Kingsway KMCD 599
One there is, above all others,
well deserves the name of Friend;
His is love beyond a brother's,
costly, free, and knows no end;
they who once His kindness prove,
find it everlasting love!
Which of all our friends to save us,
could or would have shed their blood?
But our Jesus died to have us
reconciled in Him to God;
this was boundless love indeed!
Jesus is a Friend in need.
When He lived on earth abased,
Friend of sinners was His name;
now, above all glory raised,
He rejoices in the same;
still He calls them brethren, friends,
and to all their wants attends.
Could we bear from one another
what He daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother
loves us though we treat Him thus;
though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.
O for grace our hearts to soften!
Teach us, Lord, at length to love;
we, alas! forget too often
what a Friend we have above;
but when home our souls are brought,
we will love Thee as we ought.
SONG: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (director), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: Scrivens/Converse
Recording: Hyperion 711210
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
