The Trinity Psalter suggests Psalm 46 be sung to the tune of “America, the Beautiful.”\u00a0 I have no idea what led the editors to suggest this tune (other than that it fits!), but I find it very fitting.\u00a0 Our church is planning to sing Psalm 46 to this tune on Sunday (July 4).\u00a0 On a day when it is sadly common for churches to confuse the worship of God and love of country, we will use a tune associated with country to proclaim that our refuge is in God not in any construct of man.<\/p>\n
The metrical version of Psalm 46 from the Trinity Psalter (slightly edited)* is below.<\/p>\n
Psalm 46<\/p>\n
1 God is our refuge and our strength,
\nIn straits a present aid;
\n2 and, therefore, tho’ the Earth remove
\nWe will not be afraid;
\nTho’ hills amidst the seas be cast,
\n3 tho’ troubled waters roar,
\nYea, tho’ the swelling Billows shake
\nThe mountains on the shore.<\/p>\n
4 A river is whose streams make glad
\nThe city of our God,
\nThe holy place wherein the Lord
\nMost High has His abode.
\n5 Yea, God is in the midst of her;
\nUnmoved she stands alway;
\nAnd God will surely grant her help
\nBefore the break of day.<\/p>\n
6 The nations raged; the
\nKingdoms moved;
\nAnd when the earth had heard
\nThe mighty voice He sent abroad
\nIt melted at His word.
\n7 The LORD of hosts is on our side
\nOur safety to secure;
\nThe God of Jacob is for us
\nA refuge strong and sure.<\/p>\n
8 O come, behold what Wondrous works
\nHave by the LORD been wrought;
\nCome, see what desolations great
\nHe on the earth has brought.
\n9 To utmost ends of all the earth
\nWars unto peace He turns;
\nThe bow He breaks, the spear He cuts,
\nIn fire the char-iot burns.<\/p>\n
10 Be still and know that I am God;
\nAmong the nations I
\nWill be exalted; I on earth
\nWill be exalted high.
\n11 The LORD of hosts is on our side.
\nOur safety to secure;
\nThe God of Jacob is for us
\nA refuge strong and sure.<\/p>\n
* I edited the end of the second line in verse 5.\u00a0 The original had “for aye” and I substituted “alway.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Trinity Psalter suggests Psalm 46 be sung to the tune of “America, the Beautiful.”\u00a0 I have no idea what led the editors to suggest this tune (other than that it fits!), but I find it very fitting.\u00a0 Our church is planning to sing Psalm 46 to this tune on Sunday (July 4).\u00a0 On a …<\/p>\n