Different parts of this psalm have been set to music in a variety of different ways. I’m particularly familiar with a praise hymn arrangement of this psalm, starting at version 10. Examples in some different settings that I found in perusing around iTunes are linked below:
- hip-hop rap version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/parkes-stewart/id2546782
- Techno version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nitro-praise/id176702511
- Country version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maranatha!-music/id220299719
- Cantored version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/church-of-the-apostles/id306728958
Background and text
Singing Psalms
The psalms themselves are musical in their origins. The word Psalm itself is derived from the Greek Ψαλμοί (Psalmoi), which is generally interpreted to mean “music of the lyre” or “songs sung to a harp”[1]. Calvanist churches, particularly including Presbyterians, are known for singing of the psalms, and that is a regular part of the FPC worship service.
- Discuss cantoring of psalms. What do people think of this? What does this bring to mind?
Psalm 51
Many versions of the Bible have a notation as part of the text before the actual lyrics of Psalm 51: “For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.”
- Discuss David and Bathsheba. What happened in this story?
- Read text of Psalm 51. Listen to cantored version. Are there differences in the message heard?
Psalm 51
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Other related works
“Create in me a clean heart” is a common praise hymn. It has also been used as parts of other songs. One that particularly appeals to me is also a praise hymn, though one I wasn’t previously familiar with. The words are below, and one version comes from the Painter Album by John Michael Talbot (http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-painter/id45579259)
Create in me
A clean heart o God
Let me like you in all my ways
Give me your strength
Teach me your song
Shelter me in the shadow of your wings
For we are your righteousness
If we've died to ourselves
And live through your death
Then we shall be born
Again to be blessed in your love
Based on a combination of Psalm 51:10, Psalm 17:8, as well as New Testament theology.
- Does this give a different message?
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