Psalm 61
I did something a bit unusual for me the other day. I was scheduled to sing a special, and, as seems to be the usual case, I had not procured any new soundtracks, listened to any new tunes that inspired me, nor had I sat down to put some chords together to plunk out on the piano along with a melody to one of the three or four songs I have been wanting to learn. So instead, I "winged it." I really hate doing that. It always feels so . . . uninspired. It's almost never with at least a nudge from the Spirit, and this time, well, this time I had received several nudges.
I have been trying to learn some Hebrew, on and off (more off than on) and was looking at Psalm 61. Shema elohim rinnati, haqsheba t'pillati. Hear, O Lord, my cry. Attend unto my prayer. I'd been meditating on this line for a few days and the Lord had given me two melody fragments for the first line. The superscription to the psalm alludes to it being accompanied on a string instrument or instruments. So I asked our bassist to accompany me solo, giving him the basic notes and key for my improvisation. I sang in D minor, giving it that slightly Hebraic feel that we all strive for when we play/sing in D minor. I know you all know what I mean!
I sang the first line in Hebrew, and then sang the whole Psalm through once in English, using bits and pieces of the two melodic fragments. Once or twice I added the first part of the first line in Hebrew as a sort of refrain. And where it said Selah, I nodded to the bassist for him to play a short meditation. All in all it was well received. I was more nervous than usual, given I don't sing improv much, and nearly the whole thing was improvised.
Anyway. Just something to think about. As always, I'd be interested in your thoughts.
I have been trying to learn some Hebrew, on and off (more off than on) and was looking at Psalm 61. Shema elohim rinnati, haqsheba t'pillati. Hear, O Lord, my cry. Attend unto my prayer. I'd been meditating on this line for a few days and the Lord had given me two melody fragments for the first line. The superscription to the psalm alludes to it being accompanied on a string instrument or instruments. So I asked our bassist to accompany me solo, giving him the basic notes and key for my improvisation. I sang in D minor, giving it that slightly Hebraic feel that we all strive for when we play/sing in D minor. I know you all know what I mean!
I sang the first line in Hebrew, and then sang the whole Psalm through once in English, using bits and pieces of the two melodic fragments. Once or twice I added the first part of the first line in Hebrew as a sort of refrain. And where it said Selah, I nodded to the bassist for him to play a short meditation. All in all it was well received. I was more nervous than usual, given I don't sing improv much, and nearly the whole thing was improvised.
Anyway. Just something to think about. As always, I'd be interested in your thoughts.
posted by everettg at
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
2 Comments:
What an awesome way to make the Word of God come alive! I truly wish I could have been there to hear it!
Josh R
I'm glad to hear that you were well received! That was pretty bold! Not to say that you shouldn't have attempted it- YOU SHOULD! I think this shows the very "human" side of song - and could encourage people to do such thing themselves - maybe not in public (if they're not particularly musical), but in devotional times. OR - in a congregational setting. Earlier this year, we had Jason Sciscoe for revival and he had us all do something similar as a congregation - it was one grand chorus of improvised song. What a beautiful spirit of praise and adoration swept over the congregation.
AA
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