Justin Taylor has profiled a new CD presented by Ligonier. It is entitled My Cry Ascends: New Parish Psalms.
The introductory blurb reads:
My Cry Ascends is a graceful collection of new Psalms and hymns for the church composed by Greg Wilbur. The music is recorded in a folk tradition with elements of Celtic style and southern harmony. Listeners will enjoy the hardy musical instrumentation: piano, viola, flutes, tin whistle, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bagpipe, hammer dulcimer and percussion. Rich biblical texts and expressive tunes feature the singing of Michael Card, Steve Green, Wes King, Katy Snow, Nathan Clark George and Bruce Carroll. The songs were written with congregational singing in mind, and it is our hope that this CD will bring these wonderful pieces into wider familiarity as an appropriate offering to the Most High God as He calls His people into worship.
Here are the tracks:
1. Now Unto Jehovah—Psalm 29 (2:39)
2. Come Ye Souls (3:06)
3. Savior and Friend (3:34)
4. Mighty Lord, Extend Your Kingdom (3:26)
5. Call Jehovah Your Salvation—Psalm 91 (3:14)
6. O God To Thine Anointed King—Psalm 72 (3:12)
7. O Bless the Lord My Soul—Psalm 103 (2:30)
8. Come Ye Disconsolate (3:18)
9. Lord, Hear My Prayer—Psalm 102 (4:00)
10. Alas and Did My Savior Bleed (3:31)
11. How Blest the Man—Psalm 41 (4:36)
12. Let God Arise—Psalm 68 (3:28)
13. Lord Jesus Think on Me (2:51)
14. From Depths of Woe—Psalm 130 (3:59)
15. Blest Is the Man—Psalm 32 (2:56)
About the Composer
Gregory Wilbur is the Chief Musician and liturgist at Parish Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Franklin, Tennessee, where he also serves as a Ruling Elder. He is the Dean of the Chapel, Senior Fellow, and helped to found New College Franklin, a Christian classical college in Franklin. In addition to writing congregational worship hymns, he also composes choral and orchestral works. He has written numerous articles about worship, the arts, and education as well as several books including Christmas Spirit, a family guide for Advent, and Glory and Honor, a leadership biography of J.S. Bach. Greg lives near Franklin with his wife and young daughter.
You can download a sample and one entire track here.
There is no doubt that singing Psalms via a Celtic musical idiom makes the music immediately accessible to New Zealand congregations--indeed to any congregations in nations tracing their roots to the UK and Western Europe.
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