Psalm | Psalm 27 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Psalm 27 by Poor Bishop Hooper

Lyrics:
The Lord is my light and my salvation
Why should I ever be afraid?
The Lord is the strong hold upon my life, and
Of whom should I be afraid

Even with false witness or constant breathe of violence
I know the One who cares is there
Even if my father and my mother both abandon
I know the Lord who cares for me is there
I have heard You saying, "Seek my face, and
Come and talk with Me
Come and talk with Me"
My heart responds in the way You made it
Lord, I'm coming
I am coming

Though the darkness surrounds, I know I am protectеd
My heart will never bе afraid
To gaze upon Your beauty, God, and see You in Your temple
I will stand hidden in You

I have heard You saying, "Seek my face, and
Come and talk with Me
Come and talk with Me"
And my heart responds in the way You made it
Lord, I'm coming
I am coming

I am certain
I will live in
The house of the Lord all of my days
I know I
Will delight in
The house of the Lord
All of my days
I'm certain
I will live in
The house of the Lord all of my days
I know I
Will delight in
The house of the Lord
All of my days
I'm certain
I will live in
The house of the Lord all of my days
I know I
Will delight in
The house of the Lord
All of my days

Passage:
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom should I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
whom should I dread?
2 When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh,
my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army deploys against me,
my heart will not be afraid;
though a war breaks out against me,
I will still be confident.

4 I have asked one thing from the LORD;
it is what I desire:
to dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
gazing on the beauty of the LORD
and seeking him in his temple.
5 For he will conceal me in his shelter
in the day of adversity;
he will hide me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Then my head will be high
above my enemies around me;
I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy.
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 LORD, hear my voice when I call;
be gracious to me and answer me.
8 My heart says this about you:
“Seek his face.”
LORD, I will seek your face.
9 Do not hide your face from me;
do not turn your servant away in anger.
You have been my helper;
do not leave me or abandon me,
God of my salvation.
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the LORD cares for me.

11 Because of my adversaries,
show me your way, LORD,
and lead me on a level path.
12 Do not give me over to the will of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing violence.

13 I am certain that I will see the LORD’s goodness
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart be courageous.
Wait for the LORD.
(Psalm 27:1-14 CSB17)

Musical Reflection:
Harp Meditation No. 2 by Gretchen Kirby

Reflection Notes:
This modal meditation centers around an intervallic pattern in the right hand that is anchored by deep bass octaves in the left hand and occasional supportive harmonies. Though somewhat haunting, the melodic motif provokes reflection.

Prayer:
I beseech you, merciful God, to allow me to drink from the stream that flows from your fountain of life. May I taste the sweet beauty of its waters, which sprang from the very depths of your truth. O Lord, you are that fountain from which I desire with all my heart to drink. Give me, Lord Jesus, this water, that it may quench the burning spiritual thirst within my soul, and purify me from all sin. I know, King of glory, that I am asking from you a great gift. But you give to your faithful people without counting the cost, and you promise even greater things in the future. Indeed, nothing is greater than yourself, and you have given yourself to humankind on the cross. Therefore, in praying for the waters of life, I am praying that you, the source of those waters, will give yourself to me. You are my light, my salvation, my food, my drink, my God.
-Columbanus [(543–615). A teacher, missionary, and founder of monasteries who fought against corruption in the church. His Irish Latin poetry, rules and letters were formational for the culture of the time period.]