Psalms for the Spirit

Set to the Irish tune the Old Cross of Ardboe, this is a Psalm of joy and thanksgiving, having come through a trying time and experienced God’s listening ear, leading, and help. This is no trite expression of praise ~ it emerges out of a deep and real experience of God’s kindness and support, compassion and love, and ignites a genuine desire to give heart, life, and soul in return. You can find ly...

This Psalm, set to the tune Rathlin Island by Brian Connors, is written from the farthest oceans and the ends of earth and seeks a reminder of hope out of a place of despair. Wondering if God will listen when facing a difficult situation, and remembering God as Creator of the mountains and silencer of storms, the Psalmist takes strength in God’s great salvation and redemption of even the greatest...

Written by Ireland’s great composer Turlough O’Carolan, Eleanor Plunkett is a cascading tune, set here to a Psalm of yearning and praise. It begins with longing like a “dry land,” acknowledging our deep desire to be in God’s presence, through which we can be “satisfied” as though our thirst is quenched. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for O God, You Are My God on the Celtic Psalms web...

This arrangement, set to the wordless tune ‘Caisleán an Óir,’ portrays the urgency and energy with which the psalmist may have written these words. In this Psalm, we find numerous images of the various ways God can provide refuge and shelter for us when we feel we are at the “end of earth.” You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for Hear My Cry, O God on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celtic...

Telling the story of a person hurt by human relationship, this Psalm captures the desire to find shelter in the midst of turmoil. Exploring the concept of home being a place where our hearts can be at rest, this Psalm set to the moving Irish traditional melody Ned of the Hill, addresses that yearning we all have for a place where we can be truly ourselves, fully accepted, safe from the tempests an...

This Psalm is known for its messages about a clean heart, forgiveness, and a renewed spirit, and is often used during Lent. Set here with the Irish traditional tune Logan’s Lament, this paraphrase focuses on the imagery of a parent kindly and gently washing away the layers that “hide” us, or that cover up the God-given beauty each one of us possesses, thereby allowing us to be restored to the joy...

The lyrical air ‘Dawning of the Day’ (Fáinne Geal an Lae) conveys this Psalm’s message of courage and hope. Through the imagery presented in this Psalm, we see mountains falling into the sea, and the world in upheaval ~ yet, we are also presented with the assuring image of a river that brings joy, and the message that we might be still and know that God is the ultimate ruler over all. You can find...

This psalm of longing is set to the relatively well-known traditional melody, ‘Down by the Salley Gardens.’ Its iconic imagery of the deer panting or longing for streams of water, as our souls thirst for God, leads us into this depiction of someone whose soul is “cast down” and needing to be reminded of something to hope in. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for As the Deer Longs for St...

This prayer for strength, courage, and refuge during a time of distress is combined here with the Irish traditional song Spancilhill. The Psalm resolves by transitioning into a testament to God’s help in the past, and an encouragement to those in distress as it offers the words “May courage fill your hearts.” You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for Rock of Refuge on the Celtic Psalms webp...

Proclaiming God’s power to transform sorrow into ‘dancing and song,’ this Psalm is sung to the uplifting Irish melody, “Green Grows the Laurel.” It’s a testament to coming through a time of sorrow and mourning, and finding dancing, song, and joy once again. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for You Have Turned My Sorrow on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Listen to Kiran...

The air ‘Down in Yon Banke’ is originally a wordless Scottish country dance song, and in this rendition becomes a prayer for God’s eternal presence, especially in times of turmoil and fear. The Psalm speaks of enemies stumbling and falling in the midst of raging war, and expresses that longing to behold God’s beauty and to see God’s face. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The Lord i...

In this Psalm of discernment, the writer expresses the longing to hear God’s guidance in the stillness of prayer. Set to the traditional Irish melody “For Ireland I’ll Not Tell Her Name,” this song sits with the longing to know how to walk in the right paths of truth and love. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for For I Wait on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Paid subsc...

This beloved Psalm, describing God shepherding us through green pastures and dark valleys, is set to the well-known traditional Irish air ‘The Parting Glass.’ In this Psalm, we hear themes of restoration for our souls, accompaniment through challenging times, and the hope of a feast and a future of goodness and mercy. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The Lord’s My Shepherd on the C...

Set to the Irish air ‘Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore,’ this song captures the lament of the Psalm while adding a drive and energy that brings to light the hope offered at its conclusion. This Psalm typically accompanies reflections on Good Friday, though it is an important accompaniment to any time in which we struggle with a sense of forsakenness. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for My...

This soaring Irish traditional melody, ‘The Lark in the Clear Air’ brings a lightness to this Psalm about God’s revelation in both creation and scripture. The words of the Psalm remind us that the skies tell a story of who God is, and teach us important things, without words. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The Heavens Declare on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Pa...

These ancient words of lament, combined with a haunting medieval traditional Irish melody, express the human longing to see God’s face in times of sorrow. The original tune ‘The Lament of the Three Marys/Coaineadh na dTrí Muire’ depicts the three Marys’ cries of sorrow at the tomb of Jesus - a moving complement to this prayer expressing sorrow and abandonment, and the yearning for signs of hope. Y...

A Psalm of praise to the Creator of the wonders of nature, this Psalm also contains a call to action - that in our status “underneath the angels,” we need to take responsibility for caring for creation. Set to the Irish tune ‘Far, Far Beyond the Mountain,’ and through the slightly ominous tones of the arrangement,  we hear anew the sobering reminder to show respect and dignity to the world we live...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com The very first Psalm, set to the tune ‘Bán Chnoic Éirann Ó,’ speaks of following the “law” of God – and so we remember the greatest commandment: to love God, neighbor and self. When we grow in connection to this love, we can flourish and thrive like trees planted by streams of water. In times of weariness...

Journey the Psalms with me in 2024… ***Introducing a new series with accompanying journal*** How do the Psalms speak into our lives? How can they help us get in touch with our deeper emotions, and to better understand ourselves? How can they lead us to live fuller, more honest, more authentic lives? What can they show us about who God is and who we’re invited to be in the world? Starting in early...

Today’s guest is Paul Hutchinson, mediator, therapist, author and brilliant storyteller. A former Director of the Corrymeela Peace and Reconciliation Centre, Paul has distilled his memories and learnings from that time in his delightful book “Between the Bells.” In this episode, Paul shares about his spiritual journey from seaching teenager to reflective Quaker, and how his background as a therapi...

Today’s guest is Pádraig Ó Tuama, poet, theologian, host of On Being’s  Poetry Unbound, and member and former leader of the Corrymeela Community. Pádraig doesn’t need much of an introduction, as his gifts for writing, and reading, and reading into poems have become widely known and admired. With his keen sense for the meaning behind a poem, his interest in language, violence, power, and religion,...

[This podcast first aired in February 2021] Today’s conversation is with Sara Cook – a social worker who has worked in conflict response, peacebuilding and mediation in Northern Ireland and internationally for the past two decades. Sara and I are both Americans living in Northern Ireland and have become friends through being members of the Corrymeela community. Just before Covid in 2020, I had the...

Today's guest is Sarah Griffith Lund, a minister and author who has focused her life's work on breaking the silence about mental illness. With her generous and gracious spirit, Sarah talks me through the stark realities of mental illness today, made even more extreme because of the pandemic, and how the themes of the Psalms speak to that life experience shared by so many. In our conversation, we t...

TODAY’S GUEST is Edward Buri, Kenyan pastor, columnist, television host and founder of the Institute of Ethics and Youth Affairs. Along with pastoring a congregation within the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Edward Buri writes a weekly column for one of the leading newspapers in Kenya, and hosts a program called “Hope TV,” which is the leading Christian media house in Kenya, and through these...

Today’s guest is Barbara Brown Taylor – author, speaker, Episcopal priest, retired professor, and all-around-delightful person. Barbara Brown Taylor has long been a highly regarded preacher, and she has written a number of compelling books on the spiritual life, including Altar in the World, Holy Envy, and Learning to Walk in the Dark. In this conversation, we talk about the bird psalms, the bed p...