Sound Theology by Colleen Butcher

Psalm 51 – Create in me a Pure Heart and Renew Me with Your Spirit

This Psalm was written to the Chief Musician.  It was one of a king, fallen into sin, being confronted by the man who he probably respected more than any other man.  Not only was Nathan a Prophet, he was the one who God had commanded to anoint David King over Israel. David was guilty of so much, yet he was still David, the beloved one.  He knew he was immersed in his own wickedness, yet he knew that God was bigger than his sin.

In the Song of “Create in Me A Clean Heart”, the Group Acapella performs a chilling version that harkens to a choir singing the song of David repentence in the middle of an ancient castle. https://youtu.be/P3AUQnko9sY . The song starts out with just one singer asking God to cleanse them: but in due time, one person’s confession and changed life – changes others and calls them to sing a song of repentance.  This begins a cascade of voices called to a relationship with God. 

Meet Dan Payne –your new Sound Theology contributor!

“Peace be with you”! These are the first words Jesus speaks to the disciples gathered in the upper room. The disciples had gathered together for security and to comfort. They were emotionally and physically devastated by the events of the past week.  They wanted to believe the news of the resurrection, but they were so afraid.  

 “Peace be with you”! When Jesus spoke these words, they held a meaning far more than just the common Jewish greeting of Shalom Aleichem שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם. They carried the power of the crucified Christ who was resurrected from the dead!  By these words Jesus brought comfort and healing to the souls of the disciples. In his song “He’s Alive” Don Francisco beautifully narrates the mood of the upper room and the appearance of Jesus… https://youtu.be/aidWs3tceYw

“Peace be with you”! Again, Jesus speaks these words, but this time commissioning the disciples to go share the good news. With these words, He gives them the power to speak the great shalom to the world.  In the song “Come to the Table” by the Sidewalk Prophets, we hear the clarion call to declare “Peace be with you” to the world. https://youtu.be/DXXxLwxfo0U .  Jesus invites all of us to be healed and made whole. He calls us to sing with Him…“Peace Be With You”!

This week’s playlist is a combination of the expected and the unusual. Included are Phillip Sly singing “The Trumpet Shall Sound” and the Sinfonia from Bach’s “Easter Oratorio.” The middle work is a chant setting by Thomas Tallis featuring 8 choirs/40 voices – it is a masterpiece of choral writing, with a text that is an affirmation that we worship only one God, always! Holst’s “Bringer of Jollity” and the “completely mad” arrangement of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus are included to make you smile and bring an element of surprise to this, my final Sound Theology playlist.Christ is RISEN! May the music continue, resonating throughout this Easter season.
ST#187 – Easter
Hallelujah Chorus

Enjoy this playlist as you walk with Christ through his passion and await the resurrection.
ST#186 – Music for the Triduum

As we come to the end of Lent, we also complete our adventures through the six Suites for Solo Cello, written in the early 1700s by J.S. Bach.