Monday, September 28, 2009

a la Psalm 136

Oh, give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good,
and His mercy endures forever.


Psalm 136 is the one where the psalmist rehearses the history of Israel, with every phrase followed by the litany refrain: for His mercy endures forever. It is important to see that line not as a simple refrain, but as an explanation or elucidation on the words immediately preceding it.

But you know what? You can do that with the rest of the liturgy too. It's cool. Try it.

"Glory be to God on high ..."
for He is good,
and His mercy endures forever.


"This is the word of the Lord,"
for He is good,
and His mercy endures forever.


"Create in me a clean heart, O God,"
for He is good,
and His mercy endures forever.


"and renew a right spirit within me,"
for He is good,
and His mercy endures forever.


"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace,"
for He is good,
and His mercy endures forever.


"For mine eyes hath seen Thy salvation,"
for He is good,
and His mercy endures forever.


"which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,"
for He is good,
and His mercy endures forever.




Think about it.

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