Clerestory Notes

Commentary -

This short refrain sets the first two lines of the psalm (25:1-2a) as a sung response to the spoken or chanted penitential verses which follow (25:2b-10). The ascending first phrase paints the picture of the soul lifted up in trust and commitment to the Lord who leads, teaches and protects us.

Suggested use within the liturgy or service order: during or following a time of prayers of Invocation, and especially as part of a sung and prayed time of Confession.

Key: E

Psalm 25 is available as a lead sheet, scored for piano accompaniment with vocal line (refrain), and scored for keyboard as four-part notated chant setting of the verses. Psalm 25 is also available as part of the collection, Singing the Scriptures.
 

The following ordering of chant and response reflects its use at a time of corporate or individual Confession.

Refrain (sung):
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in You I put my trust.

(Chanted)
Do not let me be put to *shame;
Do not let my enemies exult over *me.
Do not let those who wait for You be put to *shame;
Let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacher-*ous.

Make me to know Your ways, O * Lord;
Teach me Your paths; lead me in Your*truth;
For You are the God of my sal-*vation;
For You I wait all day *long.

Refrain (sung)

Be mindful of Your mercy, O Lord, and of Your steadfast *love,
For they have been from of *old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my trans-*gressions;
According to Your steadfast love remember me, for Your goodness’ *sake.

Refrain (sung)

[Silent confessions, corporate prayer]

(Suggestion: this traditional penitential prayer from the Book of Common Prayer echoes the language of the Psalm text.)
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name.  Amen.

(Chanted)
Good and upright is the * Lord;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the *way.
He leads the humble in what is *right,
And teaches the humble His *way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and *faithfulness,
For those who keep His covenant and His de-*crees.

Refrain (sung)

Setting Copyright ©2010  Ellen Koehler.
All Rights Reserved.