Commentary on Cyber-Psalm 2.0

I’ve posted Cyber-Psalm 2.0.

Once again I’ve closed comments on the Cyber-Psalm but allowed pings/trackbacks, etc. Here’s the place where I can give you a little background on CyPs2 and also give you a forum for commenting on it.

First, some background: I’ve been interested in discovering a “third way” in Christian liturgical worship that strikes out on a path independent of “choruses” on one side and “hymns” on the other. Not simply in music style and form but in the way we use music in our koinonia gatherings. Our family has been trying to have a structured prayer time based loosely on the Book of Common Prayer, or more accurately the edition we use which is the Pocket Version of Celebrating Common Prayer. It seems contradictory to describe something as “structured” and “loosely based” but that’s what in fact happens. We use the days in general but throw out special seasons, moveable feasts, etc. We primarily use the evening prayers for The Blessing of the Light and The Collect. All the stuff in the middle we dip into but not in any kind of consistent way. Occasionally we use something from the Morning Prayers after breakfast. But that time is usually reserved for Scripture reading.

When you are doing a prayer service with children you have to balance carefully structure and spontaneity otherwise you’ll overwhelm or bore the kids (especially sleepy kids after dinner!). I love the Collects and have tried to set some of them to music so that we could sing them. Cyber-Psalm 2 is inspired by the Collects but is an original prayer by me using a traditional melody. If you know the tune you might try singing it. Sorry I can’t provide you with a recording. Maybe someone else would like to try posting their own version?

Although I composed several of these prayers set to music, this is the one that my kids love the most. In fact they sometimes change the words to “Grant us your favor at the start of the day” and sing it in the morning as well. Of course, part of the attraction is the beautiful melody of Flow Gently Sweet Afton¹. We have a recording by Alisa Jones on her Irish Dreams II album that is quite lovely.

The first Cyber-Psalm had some theological wrinkles which I was able to iron out thanks to help from others. This is a much simpler prayer. Listening to small children sing it by candlelight is a moving experience.

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1: Flow Gently Sweet Afton: This is a traditional Irish melody. Not being from the British Isles, I’m unsure if it is considered overly sentimental like Danny Boy.