Psalms

The majority of my hymns are psalm versions. The first collection was of all 150 in various metric forms and dated from 1982-4. Two very special friends decided to record the whole Bible on to cassette-tape for me, and an additional, unexpected blessing through their generous gift was that when I heard the psalms read aloud the words (which I had tried before to put into verse but without success, seemed to fall into natural rhythms and become implanted in my memory. Since then about half of these have been revised or rewritten completely. I became acquainted with the texts of others who have achieved eloquent close paraphrases (which I love to read and sing), and since then I have tended myself to go for a more reflective and/or personal response and at times to draw in related New Testament passages. A model for me, as for so many during the past 400 years, is Isaac Watts, who was both faith-filled and versatile in his approaches to different psalms and sections of psalms, with a dedicated poetic imagination and diction which cannot but inspire fresh praise as they pour their light on a text. I have also particularly benefited from the ministry of a variety of speakers/teachers as well as from the insight of friends. My knowledge of Hebrew is very scanty, but I have found helpful articles, Hebrew definitions etc on the internet, and especially appreciate my two volume Tyndale commentary on the Psalms by Derek Kidner (published IVP). Often a second or even third attempt to paraphrase a psalm has had - and continues to have - entirely different results from what I anticipated. The psalms have afforded me many discoveries. Truly God's word is "a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Some of the paraphrases displayed on this website are not published elsewhere. Others are also on the Praise! or Jubilate websites, where further resources can be found. In Hymmetry these have slightly revised words and/or new music to listen to.". 

lyric videos: ▶️ set tune ⏩ alternative lyrics or tune