Augustinian monk-turned-Magisterial Reformer Martin Luther once called the Psalms a miniature Bible. It was remarked that a Christian could find his entire life experience on display in them. This has been found true throughout the ages, and it is one of the many reasons Archbishop Cranmer thought it fit that Christians should journey through the…
My Songs Extol Thy Name: Thomas Sternhold and English Psalmody
Thomas Sternhold is the founder of English psalmody and the inventor of the metrical form at the base of English hymnody. Little known except in histories of church music, Sternhold’s contribution is now better understood, thanks to the pioneering work of scholar Beth Quitslund. Sternhold is commemorated on August 23, or at least he would…
Grief in the Psalms
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Psalm 13:1 Psalm 13 captures the heavy heart of Lent in this somber passage. Alone with his grief, the Psalmist cries out for God to see him. Similarly, Psalm 22 begins, “My God, My God, why have…
Jesus and Psalm 22: Sorrow and Satisfaction
When Jesus was crucified on His Cross, the last words He spoke before he died are extraordinary examples of what was in His heart. Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” This is one of the most passionate and intense moments in the entire Scripture—the Son of God crying out…
The Psalm on the Cross: Learn More about Psalm 22, Christ’s Song of Sorrow and Victory
Psalm 22 is a pilgrimage from the depths of pain and suffering to the final proclamation of victory. Jesus knew the entire psalm by heart and understood the psalm as a prophetic depiction of his own death but also a prophetic declaration of hope and victory at the end. The Psalm on the Cross is…
Did God Forsake Jesus? Take A Closer Look at Psalm 22
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” These were the dying words of Jesus as he hung on the cross on Mount Calvary. But what did He mean by them? These words are read as part of the “Seven Last Words of Jesus from The Cross”. And they raise some very important questions….
How to Read the Psalms for All They’re Worth
The Psalms are the single best guide to the spiritual life currently in print. Ellen Davis, Getting Involved with God The Psalms are inexhaustible, and deserve to be read, said, sung, chanted, whispered, learned by heart, and even shouted from the rooftops. They express all the emotions we are ever likely to feel (including some…
Here Are All the Morning and Evening Prayer Scripture Readings for this Church Year (ACNA Daily Office Lectionary Year B, 2017-2018)
UPDATE: The ACNA has released a new (January 2018) Daily Office Lectionary. CLICK HERE to access the new version. In the interests of making the ACNA Daily Office Liturgies and Lectionary more accessible, I’ve been creating Rookie Anglican Daily Office Booklets for just over a year. As I prepare to release the next Daily Office…
Music in Worship
Music speaks to our souls. Song is a part of virtually every tradition of Christian worship, and therefore music is the most ecumenical aspect of the Christian faith. Hymns and songs are borrowed between denominations and churches. Anglican music is therefore as eclectic as any other tradition, but with specific hymnody and songs which fit into particular…
