The earth is the Lord’s (Men) And everything in it (Women) The earth is the Lord’s (Men) The work of His hands (Women) The earth is the Lord’s (Men) And everything in it (Women) And all things were made (All) For His glory
(Last time) And all things were made Yes, all things were made And all things were made For His glory
The mountains are His The seas and the islands The cities and towns The houses and streets Let rebels bow down And worship before Him For all things were made For His glory
In the church I grew up in we used to take turns to say verses of the Psalms. An imaginary line down the centre of the congregation determined who would speak the odd or even lines. As I look at our Psalm song, I see something that should seem similar. And yet those bracketed instructions to the (Men) and (Women) look so curious on the page.
Both the song and my memory of sharing out the psalm lines come from the mid-1980s. The same decade saw a growing conversation about who gets to speak, whose language is considered normal, and who gets to say what. I have never sung this hymn without noticing, and regretting, that only men get to sing of God’s lordship, whilst women just sing in reply. The female voices never get to begin an idea, only to elaborate upon the point the men already made. Perhaps unconsciously, perhaps deliberately, this Psalm setting connects the Lordship of God to male authority. I find it hard to sing, which is a shame as Psalm 24 is such a powerful and beautiful poem.
The way we speak of God, and who we listen to as we talk of God, can limit our imagination. Psalm 24 points in the opposite direction – everything in this world belongs to God, and all have their part to play in worship. Who gets to speak, whose life experience is assumed to be normal, who is made to feel like a token presence, and who is encouraged to stay silent still matters. In each generation grows a new awareness of who has been kept quiet and what has previously been left unsaid. May we listen with the Holy Spirit to the chorus of God’s created people. And may we notice how every voice needs to be honoured and brought out for us to begin to imagine the fullness of life which God promises.
Prayer
How does the sea worship you? Through its ebbs and tides, and consistent action? Or its constant recreation of beaches and rain clouds?
How does a city worship you? Through the buildings which point to the heavens? Or its openness to the stranger, protection of the vulnerable?
How do I worship you? Through my prayer and reflection? Or in my speaking, listening, and action?
As all of creation seeks to worship you, may every thing speak of your glory. Amen.
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Today’s writer
The Rev’d ’frin Lewis-Smith is a healthcare chaplain in Salford and a member of Tonge Moor URC
