Psalm 33

Psalm 33

1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

6 The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
7 He assigned the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command.

10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes.
11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken.

12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.

13 The Lord looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
for all its strength, it cannot save you.

18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.

20 We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone.

Vigilante

At the time of writing this there is much talk of vigilante groups defending their neighbourhoods from the threat of attack by groups of rioters. I am not going to go into the rights or wrongs of what the rioters claim to be their grievances, but in my mind they are outweighed by sheer criminality.

The song Vigilante was recorded by Magnum, as seems to be apt at the moment, which is why I am posting on it.

I personally believe though, that we should not be looking for a vigilante to act on our behalf, but that we should leave it to God on the day of judgement.

Racing in the shadows pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying
And the children try to sleep
Just another promise they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the borders
Got the people running scared
Standing on the corner never got things done
If you leave your front door open
You'll be the foolish one
No misunderstanding no honour among thieves
It's a sorry situation
When a gun is all you need
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Racing in the shadows pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying
And the children try to sleep
Just another promise they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the borders
Got the people running scared
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Vigilante vigilante man
Vigilante call the vigilante man

I Refuse

I Refuse is a song by Josh Wilson with very challenging lyrics. I think that most of us would aspire to the sentiments contained in them, though they are by far easier to say than to act out.

I just pray that God will melt our hearts to refuse to just pay "lip service" to the problems around us.

I Refuse lyrics
Songwriters: Benjamin Glover;Joshua David Wilson

Sometimes I
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not

This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God

So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I refuse
I refuse

Wild Angels

Magnum are a band I have heard of for years, but to my shame never really given much of a listen to. I am in the process of changing this. Wild Angels is a recent single, which had quite a bit of airplay on Planet Rock earlier this year.

I would not pretend to know what the lyrics are about, and do not want to make a guess either. I find the song to be both catchy and singable.

Like a lot of songs there does appear to be a sense of longing, or searching within the lyrics. We all are searching for something to satisfy that inner yearning. For me it is my Christian faith that sustains in the time of trouble, or bewilderment.

Enjoy what I think is a truly cracking song, the clip below was recorded in Southampton in April this year.

Nobody's leaving this world tonight
The way I'm feeling, we'll be all right
So many people, going nowhere
The poor forsaken, nobody cares

I wonder what you're thinking
I don't know where you are
Can't stop my heart from sinking
Before it gets too far

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Diamonds fall like rain
Nobody told you why, baby
Isn't that a shame?

The room is empty, the city sleeps
We pass by gently, and shadows creep
But come tomorrow, there's no relief
And I'm still looking in disbelief

I wonder what you're thinking
I don't know where you are
Can't stop my heart from sinking
Before it gets too far

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Thunder in the air
Don't let it make you cry, baby
You won't have a prayer

Something out of nothing, tell me if I'm right
Stranded here forever, take me home tonight
Maybe let it happen, keep it in your mind
Maybe there's no answer, don't get left behind

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Diamonds fall like rain
Nobody told you why, baby
Isn't that a shame?

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Thunder in the air
Don't let it make you cry, baby
You won't have a prayer

Clarence Clemons RIP

Just a short posting of a track in tribute to the great man, who died recently. I had the joy of seeing him perform at Wembley many moons ago as part of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Enjoy Junglelands, performed live in Hyde Park in 2009.....

I Am A Cider Drinker

Well I do like a pint or two of cider, or real ale, but this is not about me.

The Wurzles clip that follows is by way of tribute to John Venter, who's funeral is this coming Friday. John was the village butcher in Prestbury, as well as almost living in The Plough. His death at 56 last week has left a big hole in the lives of so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. He was a larger than life character and a friend to many. Over the last three years that I have been a regular at The Plough, rather than an occasional visitor, I have come to count John as a good friend. In the cold winter's months when the tourists are absent, we have often been the only two left in there at closing time on a Saturday. In the last six weeks since his nephew has taken on the running of the pub, we have often departed at some silly time in the morning!

I am going to miss you John, until we meet again, enjoy the cider....

I Wont Back Down

This song by Tom Petty has pretty simplistic lyrics, but to me they are also fairly profound. With references to standing your ground, and not backing down, it could quite easily be the way we as Christians should react. The reference to standing at the gates of hell, could be seen as any temptation. In these situations, I hope, that I would not back down from doing the right thing. The song says there is no easy way out, that is very true. In our own strength we can not avoid temptation's lure. If we lean on the strength of Jesus Christ, we will not avoid the temptation, but we should have the inner strength to overcome it. In other words...I wont back down.

Well I won't back down
No I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down

No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin me down
gonna stand my ground
... and I won't back down

(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
and I won't back down

Well I know what's right, I got just one life
in a world that keeps on pushin me around
but I'll stand my ground
...and I won't back down

(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
(I won't back down)
and I won't back down...

(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
hey I won't back down
(and I won't back down)
hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down)
hey I will stand my ground
(and I won't back down)
and I won't back down
(I won't back down)
No I won't back down...