A combined edition of the three Songs of Faith and Feeling books. The three other editions, still available, contain blank pages for your own thoughts and prayers, this book contains the reimagined rewrites of all the biblical psalms, but without any blank pages.
An extract from the book
Intro
When I began posting short rewrites of the Psalms on social media, back in 2021, I had no idea it would develop into three books. It was only when someone asked if the readings were in a book that I thought about compiling them. Those three collections are still available, and each includes blank pages for your own musings, reactions and thoughts, plus a few extra readings inspired by other biblical themes. But having now completed all 150 Psalms, one or two of them twice (!) I thought it might be useful to bring them all together into one book. So here it is.
I’m no expert on the Psalms, I have just tried to bring my own understanding and worldview to these honest songs of prayer and praise. I love the reality in the Psalms, and the way that doubt, despair, anger, questioning, fear and frustration can be brought in a song of worship, as much as joy, peace, faith, adoration and praise.
I’ve not tried to reinterpret every line, but rather taken one or two themes that seem to leap out at me from each one and rethink these. Perhaps my thoughts will encourage you to record your own.
Please feel free to share any of this material with others if you think it will be helpful.
Psalm 1
Like a tree planted in good ground,
Near a constant source of life and refreshment,
So that when the dry and trying times come,
It can still draw resources and vital nourishment.
Set our faces towards you, we pray.
Tune our minds and our wills and our hearts,
To your lifegiving song and resurrecting ways,
Draw us to that living water which not only gives us life,
But flows through us to those around,
Bringing light and strength to others,
Whether we are aware of this or not.
Psalm 2
So much turmoil and restlessness,
As the nations of the world toss and turn,
In the sleepless night of their searching,
In their attempts to assert themselves,
To make sense of their being,
To rule and reign and emerge as top dog.
Remind us again of your perspective
When we claim control and glory for ourselves.
Show us the better way,
Call us back to the crossroads of wisdom,
Guide us in the ancient paths of life,
As cherished children connected
To their loving Creator King,
Rather than rootless, lost things,
Meandering in random space and time.
Help us to wait, to serve, to hold on,
To plumb the depths of wisdom,
And to treasure once more the riches of grace,
Mined from the depths of your care for us.
And lead us once more to the security and joy
Of finding our place in you.
Psalm 3
Lord, for rest, for strength, for protection today,
For courage in the face of fear,
For justice and peace for so many,
Who face trouble and enemies today,
For faith in a world of misunderstanding,
For your presence when so many feel alone.
For light and truth and kindness,
And for the chance to play our part
In bringing these things to those we meet today.
For your name to be lifted up
And for your face to shine upon us.
For these and so many other things
We pray dear Lord, offering you
Our hopes, worries, anxieties and desires.
Psalm 4
I call out to you,
We call out to you,
Please answer us, let us know that you hear our prayers,
Our faith falters and comes and goes,
It rises and falls like the tide,
Have mercy on us, let us sense the warmth of your smile,
We wrestle down here with worry and anger and distress,
Let your peace grip our hearts.
Let your perspective change our thinking.
Do not worry, you have said,
But we do worry, and only with you can we let go
Of our fears and constant wrestling.
You are the real source of joy and peace,
Enable us to tap into that,
And show us a better way to live,
A better way to be.
Psalm 5
Nudge me Lord,
Remind me to bring my troubles to you each morning,
When the day is fresh and the light is new,
Let me know I can talk to you about the day ahead.
Your love has opened a door,
The way to heaven and your home is wide open now.
We can approach you without fear,
And be honest with ourselves and with you.
Grace is the oxygen that lets us breathe in your presence,
And you are pleased to see us.
Your presence is a refuge for us,
A place to hide,
And your name fills us with good things,
Truth and reality and kindness are stored in your heart,
And you share these things with us.
Create a new song within us,
Write it on our hearts and minds,
And protect us from the harsh missiles in this life.
Psalm 6
You are the answer to our prayers,
You hear the cry of those lost,
Those longing for help and change,
Those whose tears are their constant friend,
Those in terror, those in torment.
The lonely hours give birth to these cries,
We can barely see straight at times,
But you understand all this,
You know the emptiness, the fear,
The desperation of a crucified life,
You know those times when grief and trouble
Rise like a tsunami, like waves threatening to engulf us.
We have faith, and we have fears,
We know trust, but we know trouble too,
Hear our cries for ourselves and others.
This world, our world, your world, longs for peace,
And so do we, may all that blots out the light
Be driven away, may truth and hope
Shine like the morning sun,
Warming our hearts and faces once more.