We often say around here that we are “on the way.”What does that mean? It means we are pilgrims or sojourners, on a spiritual journey to the celestial city. This world is not our ultimate home. While we are here we work, live, play. Have joys and heartache. How do we worship in the midst of all of life? Where do we look for help in knowing how to respond to good and evil? One place to look is the Psalms.
John Calvin called the Psalms “the anatomy of the soul.”
Luther called the Psalms a “mini-bible. Full with doctrine, devotion, and doxology.”
The Psalms help us sing. Sing our joy, our pain, our hopes, our complaints even. They give us a musical outlet for every human emotion.
Psalterium Vol.3 focuses on one small group of psalms called the songs of ascents. Found in 120-134, they are the pilgrims psalter used by God’s people to sing on the way to the great feast. I grew up in a singing family, and we would use any trip for any amount of time to sing. It was a way to instruct us in singing, harmony, melody, but also doctrine, and truth. Much the same for the jewish sojourners as they made their way up the hill to Jerusalem.
The songs of ascent are folksy psalms. They feel well worn. Familiar, and familial. As several make reference to the family. So, we wanted to sing them. We chose 5, to put to music and record, in hopes that these old words would find a new place in your families. When you lie down, when you rise, when you walk along the way.
I pray these songs would encourage you to lift your eyes to the maker of Heaven and earth. Our helper. Our keeper. On this journey, together. As we head for home, we’ll be singing - on the way.
credits
released September 15, 2017
Track listing:
Psalm 121 by Drew Hodge
Psalm 122 by Matt Jones and Drew Hodge
Psalm 124 by Drew Hodge
Psalm 127 by Sarah Kelly and Drew Hodge
Psalm 130 (From Depths of Woe) by Martin Luther and Drew Hodge
Drums/Percussion - Ian Byrd
Upright Bass - Jonathon McMillan
Acoustic Guitar - Drew Hodge
Resonator - A.J. McQuay
Piano - Sarah Kelly, Drew Hodge
Mandolin - Alan Benham
Banjo - Randy Martin
Violin - Natalie Frantz
Vocals - Drew Hodge
Amy Grebe (121,130)
Sarah Kelly (127)
Amanda Appel (124)
Martha Speakman (122)
Koren Saiers (122)
Production Credits:
Recorded at Desert Springs Studios (2017)
Produced by Drew Hodge
Engineered by Chris Saiers, Drew Hodge, Ian Byrd
Percussionist and sound artist Riccardo La Foresta joins musician and producer James Ginzburg for a fluid collaborative experiment. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 4, 2024
Stirring Americana set to acoustic arrangements and topped by the legendary Alice Gerrard’s lovely, world-wise voice. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 23, 2023
Michelle Stodart’s folk music captures hope in melancholy, addressing the transformational aspects of the most challenging times. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 3, 2023