Psalm 1 Sung to the tune of "This Is My Father's World".
(My first attempt at psalter writing for corporate singing) --Laura Larkins
How safe and sound you are
to loathe the scoffer's blight,
to take delight and meditate
on God's law day and night.
How soundly blessed you are
to turn aside the course
of counsel from ungodly men
and turn away remorse.
You shall be like a tree
that grows by water side
that tree in season yields its fruit,
how green its leaves abide!
Watch how those roots will thrive!
But wicked shoots shall fail.
Swept up like chaff upon the wind
to bitter ends they sail.
Defenseless in God's court,
the lawless cannot stand
God's righteous hand will catch them out
destruction close at hand.
Jehovah is our God!
His care he won't recall.
The good intent, the provident
he shall establish all.
Laura Larkins February 13 2012
Edited by Ken Warnock
Psalm 2 Sung to the tune of "Come Thou Almighty King"
Why do the nations conspire?
Watch how they stoke and stir the fire!
Kings of this earth
rising against the Lord,
spite his anointed, saying,
“Come and throw down their rule
Break off these chains.”
From heaven's throne room, he laughs;
a sharp reproof is his wrath,
scoffing at wars
alarms them all by saying,
“I have installed my king
on Zion's holy hill,
watch how he reigns.”
God declared his liaison:
“In this day you are my Son;
I am Yaweh,
also your Father now,
Ask me whatever, Son,
this world will acquiesce,
your will be done.
His rod of iron shall slay;
dashing the potters like clay.
Watch this you kings,
be wise; be warned in this
Serve God without remiss
you rulers of the earth
keenly rejoice.
Kiss his dear son to escape
your stark demise on that day.
Never forget
his wrath ignites your fate.
Run to him, don't delay.
Best that you hide in him,
now and always.
Laura Larkins
edited by Ken Warnock
Psalm 3 (A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom)
Sung to the tune of "He Leadeth Me, Oh Blessed Thought"
LORD, look! All those who cast their lot
to topple me, how vast their plot!
The rumor grows that many say,
“God will not carry him today.”
But you, Oh LORD, became my shield
a buckler and a kite to wield,
my glory, and the One who lifts
my head to resolution, swift.
I'm calling out to God who wills,
he answers from his holy hill.
While I lie down, in sleep restored
my confidence lies with the LORD.
I'm confident tho' thousands stride
assailing me on every side.
My LORD! Deliver, now arise!
My God, my ally, right on time.
LORD, strike them all, don't hesitate
to break the wicked's teeth, don't wait!
Your terms and venue, my rescue.
From God deliverance shall be true.
Bless now your people in your will.
Anoint us LORD, your servants still.
LORD! Bless us now, don't compromise
Jehovah, you alone are wise.
Laura Larkins
Psalm 8 Sung to the tune of
"Praise To the Lord, The Almighty, The King of Creation!
Oh LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name the world wide!
You set your glory like gemstones through heavens for your pride.
Praises of children, praises of infants reveal you,
silencing vengeance against you.
When I consider your heavens, the works of your fingers,
the moon and the stars you have placed in their settings to swing there,
what are our souls? What are our minds that you care?
Why should your kindness be our fare?
You as Designer made humans the minor to angels,
crowned them with glory and honors and made them thus able.
You made them rule over the works of your hands;
you delegated to their commands:
All flocks and herds, and all animals yet the wild,
birds in the sky and the fish swimming through ocean isles
Oh LORD, our Lord, certainly your name is blessed!
This is how Excellency rests!
Laura Larkins
Psalm 19 Sung to the tune of "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name"
The heavens declare the light of God;
the skies proclaim his work
day after day, distinctly known;
each night he proves his skill.
They have no speech, they use no words;
and in their silence they shout.
The mystery like a chamber choir
is amplified to all,
These champions they exploit their feats
like stars through heaven’s sprawl.
The sun is hung and comes and goes
from chambers like a loving groom.
The law of God is whole and right,
refreshing every soul.
The statutes of the LORD are true,
in making wise the small.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
infusing pleasure to the heart.
Oh how the LORD’s commands do shine,
reflections of his light.
To fear the LORD is purer than gold
and precious evermore.
The decrees of God are firm,
and all and everyone are good.
This bold sweet honey from the comb,
by these engagements warn;
by keeping these before my eyes
immense reward is earned.
The tester cannot prove a fault,
but likes these wonders of your law.
Dear LORD forgive my hidden faults.
Save me from willful sins;
May no distraction rule my way,
and I will be clean.
Untainted by the great deceits
I’ll praise your love and deity.
May all recitals of my mouth
and meditations be
delightful in your sight, oh LORD,
our strength and solid beat.
May all recitals in my heart
be to my safe Redeemer pleased.
Laura Larkins
Psalm 22 Sung to the tune of "A Mighty Fortress is our God"
(8 stanzas for Lent/Good Friday)
My God, my God, don’t fail me now!
Why vanish in my miserable grief?
My anguish cries out day and night,
yet you decline to save me!
The Holy One is crowned;
It’s you all people praise.
In you forefathers hoped
and trusted you to save.
They cried and were not put to shame.
But I am scorned by all around.
A worm to mock and not a man,
contemptibly I crawl the ground.
Their insults fling, they make their plan.
“He trusts in God,” they say,
“So let his LORD Yaweh
deliver him today!”
derision is their tool.
Oh, don’t forsake me, don’t be late.
You caught me from my mother’s womb;
I learned by faith to trust in you.
Now many bulls surround their prey;
and lions hotly here pursue.
They open wide their teeth.
I feel their tearing snare
I’m shattered like a pot
and water drains from fear.
Now all my bones are out of joint.
You lay me in the dust of death
My heart has melted, turned to wax,
My tongue clings dryly to the cleft;
Oh God, my God now don’t hold back!
A pack of villains flay;
Preserve me from their sword!
They pierce my hands and feet.
My bones are on display;
How people stare and how they gloat.
They gamble for my garments, LORD,
dividing all my clothes for bid.
But even now LORD, don’t be far
You are my strength; oh do come swift.
I shall declare your name;
Now all who fear will praise!
With Jacob’s heirs adore
this God who did not scorn
and would not hide his suffering son.
For by this theme God’s praise is won
in great assemblies to be praised;
They know He shall fulfill his vows.
Accomplished, he will raise to save!
The poor will also eat,
and all the earth will turn
to see him conquer death
He rules with deep concern.
The LORD is near, and never late.
With this he rules the nations.
The wealthy of the earth will feast
They worship just as all who go
down to the dust before their king.—
All those who cannot keep
their lives or legacies.
Posterity will serve
the LORD for all the earth
each generation will be told.
The kingdom is the LORD's to keep.
A seed of truth shall serve him;
All shall be counted to the Lord
for generations to be born.
And they shall come to bless,
declare his righteousness
to raise what was laid low
and everyone will know
that God alone has done this!
Laura Larkins
Psalm 24: Sung to "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!"
This is God's earth, every ocean, the water he founded!
This is the world he established and bound us around it.
Let him enjoy all his creation, as crowned--
all earth and heaven astounded.
Who may ascend to the mountain of this LORD of heaven?
Who may stand up in his holy place common for children?
Clean hands and heart, pure open-handed devotion,
no person deaden or darkened.
Let him enjoy his creation, oh all earth and heaven!
He will receive you with blessing and your vindication
God is your Savior! each generation to seek him,
consummately you adore him.
Lift up your bolts, all the ancient doors of this earth's kingdom;
Lift them up now! For this King of distinction to come in!
Who is this King? Who is this Warrior adorned?
He is the LORD God, the Strong One!
Lift up your heads, oh you gates for this Monarch of glory;
Raise yourselves up, all you doors of the ancient authority.
Welcome him in. Who is this Sovereign in light?
This is the King, the Almighty!
Psalm 27 Sung to the tune of "Immortal, Invisible"
The LORD is my light and my constant estate—
then whom shall I fear when his stronghold is safe?
Though evil advances against me for ill—
to slander, devour me, all will be well.
My rivals and enemies stumble and fall.
Though armies besiege me, I fear none at all;
and even though war shakes a valiant defense,
then yes, God alone is my sheer confidence.
This one thing I seek and I ask from the LORD,
to hold his insurance of life at the source
to gaze on his beauty to seek his embrace
for here in my trouble he will keep me safe.
Though hiding in shelters in his sacred tents
he sets me on high over enemy rents.
My head is exalted and here I will sing
in shouts to my Savior, in songs to my King.
Be merciful, hear me and answer my cry.
I speak to my heart, “Seek his face there or die;”
Your face, LORD, I seek. Do not hide it in rage,
Oh don’t turn or leave me, my Helper who saves!
Though even a father and mother take leave,
the LORD will receive me; to him I will cleave.
Oh lead me in honesty, spite all my foes.
I wait for the LORD and take heart, he is close.
Laura Larkins
Psalm 30 Sung to the tune of "Crown Him with Many Crowns"
(A psalm of David for the dedication of the temple)
I will exalt you, LORD,
you raised me from the depths;
You would not let my rivals gloat
in all you did direct.
I called to you for help,
Then LORD, you saved and healed.
And LORD, you spared me from the pit
And raised me from the dead;
Sing! Sing with me in faith
the praises of the LORD.
Yes! praise his holy name on high
you faithful ones restored.
His anger quickly blasts,
and yet His favor roars
Though weeping lingers in the night,
yet joy comes in the morn.
Oh, when I felt secure, --
that shelter would not end,--
that’s when I learned, LORD, favor comes
as God makes me stand firm.
My royal mountain stood
until you hid your face,
Then in dismay I called to you,
In pity, you showed grace.
“What would you gain if I
were silenced in the pit?
Would dust rise up to praise your name,
or bandits silence it?
Oh hear, LORD, be my help!
Robe mercy over me?
You turned my wailing into dance;
In you I found reprieve.”
Now in my heart I sing
your attributes and shout.
Oh LORD my God, I honor you
with strength and will poured out.
Forevermore I’ll sing,
the LORD who covered me,
He turned my wailing into dance
and made my spirit breathe.
Laura Larkins
Edited by Ken Warnock
Psalm 92 (A psalm for the Sabbath day)
Sung to the tunes:
"He Hideth My Soul /A Wonderful Savior is Jesus My Lord" (in 3/4)
Your goodness oh God makes me praise You much more,
in tunes to your name, oh Most High;
Proclaiming in all times you carry out love
your faithfulness, morning and night!
And, whoever hears all the muse of our strings
will understand how glad we are
in melodies hearing the joy that you bring
they'll understand works of your hands.
How great are the works of your hands!
Profound are your thoughts, Lord, the senseless can't know,
and fools do not quite comprehend; --
Though evil grows up like the prairie to seed
the wicked will soon meet their end.
For you, LORD, are true and exalted in power.
Enemy cowards you scatter.
For you, LORD, are just to destroy the unjust
and punish the vial and cruel,
to banish their hate with your rule.
My strength, LORD, you lifted so wild and so true;
anointed my head with fine oils.
My ears heard the rout of iniquity’s voice!
I watched their defeat in their spoils.
The moral will thrive like a palm tree in breeze,
the righteous, like cedars will grow;
Transplanted so young to the house of the LORD,
they’ll flourish in courts of our God,
Their limbs will bear fruit and grow broad.
The leaves of maturity shading our King
shall lead the applause in the green;
proclaiming, “The LORD is the standard for all;
Our towering Rock, by the stream.
No malice or fraud in the LORD can be found.
The LORD is our strength and our joy.
No wicked device shields the light of his tower
The skill of his theater abounds!
There, joyful and faithful are crowned.”
Laura Larkins
Psalm 144 Sung to the tune of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"
Safe and solid, my high mountain,
God who trains me fair and well;
He's my bedrock and high tower
His command will surely prevail.
And, I wonder why you love me,
why you bother to rise to my prayer?
Surely this human being is merely
shadows in the smoky air.
Stepping out of your highest heaven
spark volcanoes in this earth
Hurl your lightning all directions
shoot your arrows from your hearth!
Arms reaching me from expanse to sea
pull me out of this ocean of hate.
Loosen the grip of these lying barbarians,
scheming traitors with knives in wait.
God, oh God, who rescued David
let me play a worthy tune,
How you rescued me from danger
I will raise my praise to you.
Now I recognize my Savior
Now I know the One who is true.
Make your oaks from innocent children
Give us shade and lovely muse.
Then our barns will be filled with plenty
every preparation supplied.
Sheep and cattle by loads and thousands,
all this plenty you provide;
No more breaching of our barriers,
Tears and crime are both done away.
No more enslaving, deriding, defiling,
safely trusting in God, Yaweh.
Laura Larkins
Edited by Ken Warnock
