In you, infinite God, we live and move and have our being.

You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

But we are creatures of dust who return to dust.

In the morning you wake us up into the thunder of life.

In the evening you sweep us away in the sleep of death.

We are only mortals, mere transients in the world.

Our days quickly pass, and we fly away.

Our times are in your hands, because

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

So teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

You could condemn us with just cause.

Because of our sin, you could consume us with your anger,

yet you surround us with compassion.

Your unfailing love is all we need.

May we sing for joy all our days.

Bless our work and our lives

so that they may testify to your glory.

—based on Psalm 90

 

God of power, God of wonder,
your beauty shines from great lights in the sky.

God of power, God of wonder,
your love of justice shines from great biblical prophets.

God of power, God of wonder,
your beauty and your justice are our shining consolation. Amen.

This relatively new Psalm text by Michael Morgan is paired with the strong, singable tune, STAR OF COUNTY DOWN. Let the words and message of this Psalm shine through, being careful not to overwhelm them with loud or heavy accompaniment.

 

Instrumental Suggestions:

The tune STAR OF COUNTY DOWN comes from an Irish ballad that extols the beauty of a maid with nut-brown hair. Here the rustic tune is used to extol the power of God the Creator, as described in Psalm 50. Any Irish instrument (bodhran, penny whistle, fiddle) would help bring out the song’s flavor, but it can be led effectively on acoustic guitar, as well. You’ll notice that the tune clearly shares roots with KINGSFOLD (#10). Lead the melody clearly to help avoid confusion.

The tune STAR OF COUNTY DOWN comes from an Irish ballad that extols the beauty of a maid with nut-brown hair. Here the rustic tune is used to extol the power of God the Creator, as described in Psalm 50. Any Irish instrument (bodhran, penny whistle, fiddle) would help bring out the song’s flavor, but it can be led effectively on acoustic guitar, as well. You’ll notice that the tune clearly shares roots with KINGSFOLD (#10). Lead the melody clearly to help avoid confusion.

The text is slightly revised from my original setting of Psalm 50 in the Psalter for Christian Worship. The Psalter for Christian Worship (1999; revised, 2010) was written for my congregation at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta as a means of reclaiming the Reformed tradition of singing metrical Psalms in our worship.

 

Martin Tel introduced me to the folk tune, “Star of County Down,” which displayed the energy he wanted to “fire up” the right words, expressing the imagery of God coming to us with judgment and grace, awe, anticipation, perhaps “fear” as the old Psalm versions would say, and certainly with thanksgiving for justice.

The tune Star of County Down is named after an old Irish ballad set near Banbridge in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is very similar to the English tune KINGSFOLD, found on the facing page in Lift Up Your Hearts, and was the basis for Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus. 

Michael Morgan (b. 1948) is a church musician, Psalm scholar, and collector of English Bibles and Psalters from Atlanta, Georgia. After almost 40 years, he now serves as Organist Emeritus for Atlanta’s historic Central Presbyterian Church, and as Seminary Musician at Columbia Theological Seminary. He holds degrees from Florida State University and Atlanta University, and did post-graduate study with composer Richard Purvis in San Francisco. He has played recitals, worship services, and master classes across the U. S., and in England, France, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany. He is author of the Psalter for Christian Worship , and a regular contributor in the field of psalmody (most recently to the Reformed collections Psalms for All Seasons and Lift Up Your Hearts, and the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God).

Rory Cooney (b. 1952) has been the director of liturgy and music ministries at St. Anne Catholic Community in Barrington, Illinois, since 1994. His published compositions span a career of songwriting that began nearly 35 years ago, and continues to the present, as he tries to write to the needs of the church and the communities in which he serves. Early compositions were published by Composers’ Forum for Catholic Worship and Resource Publications in the 1970’s, and his works are represented in Gather and RitualSong, as well as other publications.

His recording career began in 1984, and virtually all of his recordings have been collaborations with his wife, Theresa Donohoo, and Gary Daigle. His most recent work with GIA has been the collection "Today" and Terry Donohoo’s "Family Resemblance."

Rory travels with Theresa and Gary Daigle giving concerts, days of renewal, missions, and workshops for parishes, dioceses, and organizations.