The Beauty of Holiness: Praying the Psalms

This year’s Lent course explores the Psalms, the so-called songbook of the bible. The Psalms are songs of the soul. Through a series of engaging talks, we will consider their place in Christian spirituality and their value as a resource for personal and corporate prayer. All are welcome to these sessions, which will incorporate time for questions and discussion, and end with the beautiful service of Compline. A traditional choral service interspersed with short addresses, Compline dates back to medieval times drawing on prayers of ancient Sarum rite.

Mondays, 7:30-8:30pm, North transept, followed by Compline at 8:40pm in the Quire

 Free, no booking required. Talks will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel and available to watch after the event.

24 March

O come, let us sing unto the Lord (Psalm 95.1)

The Psalms in Anglican Worship

John Challenger, Assistant Director of Music and Jacob Costard, Organ Scholar

In this session, John Challenger and Jacob Costard will explore the origins of psalm-singing in Anglican worship and the evolution of the musical backdrop to which these ancient texts are set. In considering elements of the psalter and the daily practice of singing the psalms, join us to reflect on the centrality of the psalms to our liturgy and to consider what it might mean for those who sing to pray twice.

31 March

Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into hell (Psalm 55:16)

What should we make of the angry Psalms?

Canons Ed Probert and Kenneth Padley

This session explores the visceral emotions we often feel towards others, ourselves and God, and to which many Psalms give voice. How honest should we be about these feelings – in private prayer or even in public worship? How should Christians read Scripture when it is filled with fear and fury?

7 April

Into the place of dragons (psalm 44:20)

The Devotional Use of the Psalms

The Rt Revd Andrew Rumsey, Bishop of Ramsbury

In this session, Andrew Rumsey will consider the use of the psalms in creative and devotional practice.  Drawing on his experience as an author and songwriter, he will explore the potential of the Psalms as an imaginative spur for ideas, lyrics and prayers. This session offers a personal reflection on the creative potential of the psalms in both spirituality and popular culture.

The series will conclude with a special service of Compline on Tuesday 15 April, with a series of short addresses led by the Dean, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, on verses from the psalms prayed by Jesus when he was dying on the cross