Symphony of Psalms Concert: Phil Webb & John MacArthur Sing, Pray, & Read the Psalms

well let me be the first to welcome you tonight to our symphony of psalms it's going to be a very unique very beautiful arrangement of praise and worship from the scriptures themselves sometimes set to music sometimes expressed just through the spoken word but in all of it orchestrated out of a hard work of musicians and a deep love for the psalms we really are very blessed to have the musicians that we have here so many gifted individuals from the church so much so that this is really an event like a culmination of of artistry and a culmination of biblical fidelity phil webb is with us tonight it's going to be a wonderful time to guide our symphony of psalms but before i call him up let's bow together in prayer heavenly father the psalms are your songs the psalms are your lyrics and your wisdom pressed together in many ways as a history of your people and your redemption please use this evening as a way for your church to remember your manual given to us so that our worship might be pleasing to you and we pray this in jesus name amen welcome this evening to a symphony of psalms not a symphony of music but a symphony made up of psalms we are here to read pray and sing from the psalms this is not a unique practice for throughout history god's people have found the psalms to be their source of spiritual strength refreshment and praise and it's also important to note that the psalms were meant to be read prayed and sung out loud and tonight we echo this practice and add our voices to these truths of god's word for thousands of years the book of psalms has served as the hymnal for the people of israel in their worship of god centuries before the appearance of israel's final king christ jesus these psalms were read chanted prayed and sung as an expression of dependence upon god's sovereign hand this unique book collected over 900 years has served to sustain god's people through defeat desolation oppression war famine feast humiliation abandonment deliverance loneliness captivity peace fear and any other event or circumstance that can befall humanity after christ's ministry on earth it ceased the early church continued to sing these songs with a new understanding that the everlasting omnipotent king of israel was none other than the messiah that they bore witness to in both ephesians 5 19 and colossians 3 16 we are told that an essential part of walking in christ is singing psalms hymns and spiritual songs yet to many of us this has not been a part of our praise and our understanding of the psalms has faded charles spurgeon commenting on the psalms said these sacred hymns express all modes of human feeling they are fit both for childhood and old age they furnish maxims for the entrance of life and serve as a watchword at the gates of death the battle of life the repose of the sabbath the ward of the hospital the guest chamber of the mansion the church the oratory yes even heaven itself may be entered with psalms he was not alone in his summary of the psalms john calvin called the psalter an anatomy of all parts of the soul for there is not an emotion of which anyone can be conscious that is not here represented as in a mirror in spite of this understanding at some point in church history the psalms begin to decline as a vital part of our worship and communion with god in the 4th century aed church leaders felt that congregational singing had descended into entertainment and the council of laodicea banned singing by the congregation from then on the worship service singing was assigned to the clergy and those appointed by them this continued for almost 1200 years and the music that was to assist believers in their worship of god became the province of the artistic class over time it developed into chant and the music of the church became a genre unto its own but this all changed with martin luther not only did he shake the world with his reformation of the church in the five solas but he also reformed congregational singing luther as a musician believed that paul's command to sing psalms were to be taken literally and he worked to turn several psalms into hymns luther's desire was quickly and widely realized in the words of one church historian as the reformation spread the church was no longer composed of priests and monks it was now the congregation of believers all were to take part in worship a taste for music was diffused throughout germany from luther's time the people sang and the bible inspired their songs and we know luther's most famous adaptation of psalm 46. amazingly he penned the melody and the lyrics to the hymn that has stood throughout history so let's join together we're going to read in unison psalm 46 and then we're going to sing a mighty fortress is our god let's stand as we read psalm 46 god is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble therefore we will not fear though the earth should change and though the mountains shake into the heart of the sea though its waters roar and foam though the mountains quake at its lofty pride selah there is a river whose streams may glad the city of god the holy dwelling places of the most high god is in the midst of her she will not be shaken god will help her when morning dawns the nation's roar the kingdom shake he gives his voice the earth melts yahweh of hosts is with us the god of jacob is our stronghold selah come behold the works of yahweh who has appointed desolations in the earth he makes wars to cease to the end of the earth he breaks the bow and cuts up the spear he burns the chariots with fire cease striving and know that i am god i will be exalted among the nations i will be exalted in the earth yahweh of hosts is with us the god of jacob is our stronghold salah [Music] [Applause] [Music] is [Music] is [Music] [Music] go is [Music] [Music] [Applause] oh [Music] christ jesus [Music] [Applause] with [Music] [Music] [Music] is [Music] [Applause] [Music] is [Music] hello [Music] earthly [Music] [Music] us [Music] with us [Music] is [Music] [Music] is [Applause] [Music] you may be seated as the reformation spread across europe so did the practice of congregational singing from luther's early works of the psalms we know that john calvin was inspired to begin work on versifying the psalms in french while exiled from geneva and living in strasbourg calvin himself produced six metrical psalms in french for his congregation to sing when the geneva city council invited calvin back to geneva in 1541 calvin made the introduction of congregational singing in corporate worship a condition of his return when he returned he set about creating a french psalter the main author of the text was clement moreau the most famous french poet of the 16th century maro along with the theologian beza began to versify the psalms into french and guillerme franc along with louis bourgeois began to compose new melodies for the words and perhaps the most famous of these melodies is known as the old hundredth a tomb for the hymn praise god from whom all blessings flow this tune was originally in the 1551 version of the psalter and sung to the text of psalm 134 however it has survived and served believers for almost 500 years primarily to the versification of psalm 100 we know as all people that on earth do dwell let's read responsibly psalm 100 and then we're going to sing an arrangement of all people that on earth do dwell would you stand and read with me please make a loud shout to yahweh all the earth serve yahweh with gladness come before him with joyful sounds know that yahweh he is god it is he who has made us and not we ourselves we are his people and the sheep of his pastor enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise give thanks to him bless his name for yahweh is good his loving kindness endures forever and his faithfulness generation unto generation listen as we sing the first verse of this arrangement and then join us as we sing the second verse [Music] all people that are on earth [Applause] sing to the lord with cheerful voice himself we fear his grace for [Music] join us [Music] [Music] me [Music] oh winter [Music] until [Music] praise god and bless his name always [Music] [Applause] [Music] for why god lord our god is good his mercy is forever sure his truth is [Music] [Music] [Music] you may be seated john knox had pastored an english congregation in geneva and there he was influenced by calvin salter when he returned to scotland in 1559 the scottish church produced a psalter and soon after the english church as well and then for the most part and in most places by force of law the protestant churches were singing from psalters and this continued until another monumental shift in congregational singing begun by a young isaac watts as a young man he had sought to reform the psalms and the hymns being sung by the church in beginning his collection of psalms and hymns in 1707 watts sought to address what he viewed as three wrongs in worship first he believed that the psalms alone were not the only texts sufficient for congregational worship under the covenant of the gospel secondly he believed that most ordinary christians did not understand the meaning of what they were singing in the psalms the language and the old testament symbolism were often a hindrance to understanding therefore by making believers unable to sing from the heart thirdly he complained that the musical discharge of singing the psalms had become quite intolerable and that the lack of excellence was so noticeable he felt it neither edified the singer or glorified god watt's work of over 700 psalms and hymns was noted for several reasons he chose to use the diction and expressions of the everyday man even at times contextualizing the passages to his present day english however his most radical idea was to include the language and work of christ on the cross watts is said to have begun writing him is because he could not find a psalm that spoke of the miracles of wisdom and power as they are discovered in a crucified christ listen as i read the words of psalm 19 and then will sing his adaptation sung to his hymn tune of jesus shall reign the heavens are telling of the glory of god and the expanse is declaring the work of his hands day to day pours forth speech and night to night reveals knowledge there is no speech nor are there words their voice is not heard their line has gone out through all the earth and their utterances to the end of the world in them he has placed a tent for the sum which is that as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber it rejoices as a strong man to run his course its rising is from one end of the heavens and its circuit to the other end of them and there is nothing hidden from its heat the law of yahweh is perfect restoring the soul the testimony of yahweh is sure making wise the simple the precepts of yahweh are right rejoicing the heart the commandment of yahweh is pure enlightening the eyes the fear of yahweh is clean enduring forever the judgments of yahweh are true they are righteous altogether they are more desirable than gold even more than much fine gold sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb moreover by them your slave is warned in keeping them there is great reward who can discern his errors equip me of hidden faults also keep back your slave from presumptuous sins let them not rule over me then i will be blameless and i shall be acquitted of great transgression let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight o yahweh my rock and my redeemer please stand as we join together singing [Music] the heavens declared your glory lord in every star your wisdom shines but when our eyes behold [Music] [Applause] [Music] sun moon and stars [Music] [Applause] [Music] when your truth begins is [Applause] [Music] through the world your truth [Music] [Music] the sun [Music] grace on a righteousness [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] your judgement [Music] [Music] and make your work [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] you may be seated as pastor john comes to draw our attention to psalm 23 and then when he's done the choir will sing the king of love my shepherd is psalm 23 yahweh is my shepherd i shall not want he makes me lie down in green pastures he leads me beside quiet waters he restores my soul he guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death i fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies you have anointed my head with oil my cup overflows surely goodness and loving-kindness will pursue me all the days of my life and i will dwell in the house of yahweh forever [Music] bye oh [Music] is [Music] [Music] oh [Music] [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] uh [Music] oh [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] royal weddings have captured the attention of people around the world prince william's marriage in 2011 captivated two billion global viewers tierra's full military dress pomp and prestige politics and gilded carriages a fairy tale unfolding in real life a spectacle like that invites the world to watch a future king take his bride there are lots of royal songs in the psalter psalm 45 is one of them but this song sets itself apart as a royal wedding song it's a lovely depiction of a mighty king in his royal wedding the king is portrayed in majesty victory splendor and power alongside of tender chaste and holy romance but this song is not composed for a mere judean king it takes on a higher subject one greater than solomon is here both jewish and christian interpreters have traditionally understood this song to be thoroughly messianic the psalm itself tells us that this king is in fact deity the book of hebrews cites psalm 45 as evidence of the supremacy and deity of jesus and while using the phrase your god it presents to us the question how can messiah both be god and be devoted to god and you and i know the answer kingship and marriage are not just motifs in scripture that first wedding in the garden and every marriage that follows as well as every earthly king all point forth to the king of kings and the final marriage to come a heavenly bridegroom seeking and saving his beloved bride as we sing this song rather than read psalm 45 because the author has stayed so very close to the original language of the scriptures the congregation is summoned to adore this matchless king to put her past behind her and to live solely for the king's devoted love the final words of psalm 45 therefore the people will give you thanks for ever and ever link us to our eternal joy described in revelation 19 7 let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to him for the marriage of the lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready let's stand together to sing o king you are most worthy [Music] so [Music] oh king you are us worthy of men you are the best [Music] are true and gracious you are [Music] [Applause] [Music] forever in majesty for justice and mercy and true merely yours [Music] against [Music] [Music] you shall reign [Music] you [Music] [Music] oh [Music] with [Music] we [Music] [Music] forever is [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] you may be seated in his commentary on psalm 91 david dixon said this the sum of this psalm is an encouragement to believe in god by nine motives or inducements most of them being precious promises wherein to christ our lord hath the first right and title and we only in and through him listen as i read psalm 91 he who abides in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the almighty i will say to yahweh my refuge and my fortress my god in whom i trust for it is he who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the destructive pestilence he will cover you with his opinions and under his wings you will take refuge his truth is a large shield and bulwark you will not be afraid of the terror by night or arrow that flies by day of pestilence that moves in darkness or of destruction that devastates at noon a thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand but it shall not approach you you will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked for you have made yahweh my refuge the most high your dwelling place no evil will befall you and no plague will come near your tent for he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways and on their hands they will bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone you will tread upon the fierce lion in cobra the young lion and the serpent you will trample down because he has loved me therefore i will protect him i will set him securely on high because he has known my name he will call upon me and i will answer him i be will be with him in his distress i will rescue him and honor him with a long life i will satisfy him and i will show him my salvation remain seated as anna sings for us christ will be my hideaway and will join her on the refrain after the second verse [Music] i will dwell within the shelter of [Music] i will rest beneath [Music] by day i will stand upon his promises christ will be my high delay [Music] christ will be my heart away [Music] angels gather to protect me when they [Music] sovereign hands are ever ready to uphold [Music] all my fears [Music] christ will be my hide away let's join together [Music] [Applause] [Music] christ will be my heart away [Music] together [Music] [Applause] [Music] is [Applause] [Music] [Music] away [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] will be my hideaway [Music] [Music] here with us [Music] [Music] christmas will be my eyes [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] psalm 8 an important psalm for believers let's join together standing and read soulmate in unison o yahweh our lord how majestic is your name in all the earth who displays your splendor above the heavens from the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have established strength because of your adversaries to make the enemy and the revengeful seas when i see your heavens the work of your fingers the moon and the stars which you have established what is man that you remember him and the son of man that you care for him yet you have made him a little lower than the angels and you crown him with glory and majesty you make him to rule over the works of your hands you have put all things under his feet all sheep and oxen and also the animals of the field the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea whatever passes through the paths of the seas o yahweh our lord how majestic is your name in all the earth let's sing together this adaptation to the tune of come thou fount of every blessing yahweh our god how majestic [Music] [Applause] yahweh our god how majestic is your name [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] your [Music] from your side [Music] [Applause] what is [Music] is [Music] [Music] [Applause] is [Music] [Applause] oh [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] is [Music] [Applause] [Music] you may be seated as austin comes to share with us from psalm 42 as we've heard tonight historically the psalms have been one of the greatest sources of christian meditation and have fueled the prayers of god's people the book of common prayer in 1552 of the church of england sought to provide a way to pray through or recite the entire book of psalms in a month in morning and evening common prayer when those prayers became wrote calvin and the reformed churches put psalms to metrical verse and to music for congregational singing in his commentary on the psalms calvin wrote the design of the holy spirit was to deliver the church a common form of prayer psalm 42 one of the most familiar and beloved of all the songs in the bible the despondent singer continually urges his soul to put his hope in god and it's a song that is highly prayable when the psalms train our prayers they do not solely address our fluctuating emotions nor do they present to us abstract theological concepts instead the psalms meld experiential affection and help with practical divinity will you bow with me and perhaps have your eyes glance over the words of psalm 42 as we pray psalm 42 our father as the deer longs for those water brooks so our souls long for you o god our souls thirst for you for our living god and we wonder when our souls will come before your presence again there are times in our lives oh god when our tears have been our bread day and night seasons where we have cried out where are you god and when we think on those times when we think on those difficult days of the soul we also remember joyous times of fellowship and worship times that we went with a multitude and led the procession to the house of god times when we raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving times when we keep that holy day but still often our souls are heavy disquieted within us and so we say along with this psalmist o soul put your trust in god and we give you all the thanks you god are the one who lifts our countenance when our souls are heavy within us no matter where we are no matter what storms buffet and seek to break us we know god that you have given us your loving-kindness your grace your faithfulness in day and night and so we continue to pray to the god of our life we say to god you are our rock and we know that even when it feels as if we've been forgotten and the enemy oppresses us and our bones are crushed all along and the scoffers ask us where our god is we can look to our soul and tell our soul put your trust in god give thanks to god because you oh god are the help of our countenance the lifter of our face our creator our source of life our sustainer when our hearts are heavy when we have run dry we know that the father's gift is the living water that comes through jesus christ our lord in his name and longing for his presence we say amen you may remain seated the choir will stand together with the singers as we join in singing lord from sorrows deep i call [Music] lord from when my hope is shaken torn and ruined from the fall hear my desperation for love [Applause] [Music] will praise you [Music] snorts within my troubled soul questions without answers on my faith these pillows roll got me now my shelter why [Music] caused this heart to raise [Music] god gave them my treasure [Music] [Applause] till my faith is [Music] [Music] my [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] you're still my god my salvation [Music] our next song comes from psalm 34. it's an interesting psalm as it comes from the events of first samuel 21 10-15 this is the passage where david was running from king saul and he sought refuge with achish the king of gath however the king's servants warned the king that david really was a great warrior and this caused david to be concerned for his life and thought he was in danger so he began acting strangely he sought to convince achish that he was mad and in this way he was able to escape gath and hide in the cave of abdullah it's a great story and one that david could have shared over and over how he outsmarted two kings and saved his life however that's not the real story the real story is in psalm 34. the real story was david was in desperate need the story was that he cried out to god and god heard him and delivered him it's not a story about david outsmarting anyone it's a story of yahweh's deliverance of those who fear him listen to psalm 34 i will bless yahweh at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth my soul will make its boast in yahweh the humble will hear it and rejoice o magnify yahweh with me and let us exalt his name together i inquired of yahweh and he answered me and delivered me from all that i dread they looked to him and were radiant and their faces will never be humiliated this poor man called out and yahweh heard him and saved him out of his troubles the angel of yahweh encamps around those who fear him and rescues them oh taste and see that yahweh is good how blessed is the man who takes refuge in him o fear yahweh you his saints for there is no one to those who fear him let's stand together as we sing taste and see [Music] i sought the lord i sought the lord and he answered me and delivered me [Music] they'll never be [Music] and save me from [Music] he will deliver will deliver [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] the lord is good [Music] he'll give you everything magnify the lord [Music] [Music] [Applause] let us bless the lord every day and night never ending praise may our incest rise let us bless the lord [Music] [Music] is [Music] his name forever [Music] is [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] you may be seated would you follow along psalm 130 out of the depths i call to you o yahweh o lord hear my voice let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications if you should keep iniquities oh yah oh lord who could stand but with you there is forgiveness that you may be feared i hope for yahweh my soul does hope and for his word do i my soul waits for the lord more than the watchmen for the morning the watchmen for the morning o israel wait for yahweh for with yahweh there is loving-kindness and with him is abundant redemption it is he who will redeem israel from all his iniquities often times it is in waiting that god through his spirit teaches us what is necessary to learn about his loving kindness for waiting on god is not a passive inactive place it is a place of spiritual necessity essential to our understanding of god's will for those who fear him his help is not absent his goodness is not derelict his compassion is not indifferent for those who love him and wait for him his glory and his might are not abstract they are real and revealed through his abundant goodness his word is reliable and trustworthy and lends to us the hope of waiting in sure anticipation of his relief for the despair that grips our souls let's stand together and sing i will wait for you [Music] lord from the dance [Music] me [Applause] [Music] lord [Music] is [Music] [Applause] [Music] with you that we [Music] in darkest places i will call incline your ears [Music] how could i come before [Music] i will wait for [Music] i will wait for you surely wait for you till my satisfied [Applause] [Music] in together alone take courage in his power to save concretely and forever by christ's [Music] [Applause] i will wait for you surely for you till my soul your satisfied [Music] [Applause] and god himself [Music] i will wait for you i will wait for you [Applause] [Music] till my soul your satisfied [Music] i will wait for you sure [Music] i wake my soul [Music] his word [Music] [Music] my [Music] you may be seated as pastor john comes to read psalm 103. this is a psalm of pure praise bless yahweh o my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name bless yahweh o my soul and forget none of his benefits who pardons all your iniquities who heals all your diseases who redeems your life from the pit who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion who satisfies your years with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle yahweh performs righteous deeds and judgments for all who are oppressed he made known his ways to moses his acts to the sons of israel yahweh is compassionate and gracious slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness he will not always contend with us and he will not keep his anger forever he has not dealt with us according to our sins and he has not rewarded us according to our iniquities for as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is his loving-kindness toward those who fear him as far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us as a father has compassion on his children so yahweh has compassion on those who fear him for he himself knows our form he remembers that we are but dust as for man his days are like grass as the flower of the field so he flowers when the wind has passed over it it is no more and its place acknowledges it no longer but the lovingkindness of yahweh is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him and his righteousness to children's children to those who keep his covenant and remember his precepts to do them yahweh has established his throne in the heavens and his kingdom rules over all bless yahweh you his angels mighty in strength who perform his word obeying the voice of his word bless yahweh all you his hosts you who serve him doing his will bless yahweh all you works of his in all places of his rule bless yahweh oh my soul [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] is [Music] is [Music] [Applause] [Music] is [Music] is [Music] [Music] oh [Music] is is [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] [Applause] oh [Music] uh [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] is [Music] well i hope this evening has been like a mirror to your soul as it has shown you those things that you have gone to god with in your deepest times of need but how does this all end it all ends with a marvelous doxology psalm 150 praise the lord let's stand and would we read together in unison psalm 150 praise yah praise god in his sanctuary praise him in his mighty expanse praise him for his mighty deeds praise him according to the abundance of his greatness praise him with trumpet blast praise him with harp and liar praise him with tambourine and dancing praise him with stringed instruments and pipe praise him with resounding symbols praise him with clashing symbols let everything that has breath praise yah praise yah [Music] praise the lord praise the lord [Music] praise the lord [Music] is [Music] you reached into the dust you reached [Applause] [Music] teach you to join the everlasting praise the lord [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] let [Applause] the lord [Music] oh [Music] [Music] oh [Music] praise the lord [Applause] and one way that we will close we're going to join together like the scots did in 1595 a prayer was read and the congregation responded with so be it listen as i read this prayer together most worthy art thou o good and gracious god of all praises even for thine own sake who triumphs all things in holiness by thee alone are we made holy and sanctified we praise thee for our glorious redemption purchased for us and thy dearly beloved son christ jesus as our duty continually bids us give us thy holy spirit to govern us and grant that all things which breathe with life may praise thee as the true life of all creatures through the same jesus christ our lord who reigns with thee and the holy ghost one god forever and ever so be it amen tom would you come and close us was that not beautiful what a beautiful time tonight thank you so much phil webb bill brennanstein singers the orchestra the choir this has been an amazing night if if you're new here and have never been to grace church we have music like this almost exactly every sunday morning and i say that to you because you're invited to come back if you've never been here before 9 00 a.m 11 a.m we have services in this room it's a time of worship and praise just like you saw tonight with preaching it's a wonderful time so please know that we would love you to come back as you leave tonight there are going to be ushers at the back and they're going to be receiving our offering for tonight so just know that as you leave and then of course as you go into the patio area you're going to have some refreshments out there so you can also have some fellowship tonight so please don't leave quickly allow yourself to go out there fellowship with one another and let's just ask for a prayer real quick before we end our time thank you again phil and bill and everyone oh great yahweh we have sung your word back to you we have heard your lyrics fixed to music and spoken by your servants we admit our complete reverence for all that has taken place tonight our souls have been enlarged our minds have been bathed in your words and our appreciation for your psalter has deepened because of what we have witnessed and heard tonight bless these gifts to your church and make our fellowship sweet we pray in christ's name amen [Music] you

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Length: 90min 9sec (5409 seconds)

Published: Fri Aug 05 2022