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The Choir Corner

The Psalms are the heart cry of songwriters who expressed needs and joys to God. Their moods and voices cover all our human emotions, from longing and aspiration, to desire for revenge and vindication, to confession and grief.

Praying the Psalms through chant is a unique and special part of our worship. Psalms generally voice desires and petitions; they are an intimate expression of the writer's relationship with God, and express praise, joy, thanksgiving, need, sorrow, or a supplication.

What do we receive by singing the Psalms? One thing is acceptance. As His people, we come to Him as we are, imperfect. The open expression of an emotion, sung to God, shows His implied acceptance of our imperfection and His forgiveness of our sins.

Often, the Psalm's unspoken plea is "Hear my cry, O Lord, answer me!" Sometimes, as in Psalm 13, the expression is a quiet affirmation of God's presence, or as in Psalm 32, a confirmation of God's grace. The popular 23rd Psalm shows David's belief that God will take care of him in all things.

Psalm 27 may be especially relevant now, as we face the evil specter of international terrorism and Jihad: "The Lord is my light and salvation: whom shall I fear?"

The constant in the Psalms is the assurance that we can bring every emotion to Him, and He is not put off by our doubts, skepticism, or even antagonism. The Psalmists show us that God accepts these emotions, just as He accepts and loves us in spite of our imperfections.

You can read the Psalms and learn from them. When you sing them, however, you are participating in an active expression. In connecting your heart and your emotions to the Psalm, and offering them to God in chant, you are assured He will hear you.