The procession escorting the ark, symbol of God’s presence, has now reached the city gates and Jerusalem is called upon to open wide its gates to its true King. “Raise up your arches, O gates, and open wide your ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter in.” The full glory of God can come into our lives only as we enlarge the receiving facilities of our hearts and minds.
MUSIC. ST. GEORGE’S, EDINBURGH was composed especially for these words by Dr. Andrew Thomson, minister of the church by the above name in Edinburgh. It became the custom in many places in Scotland for the congregation to sing this psalm at Communion while ministers and elders in solemn procession brought the bread and wine into the church before the administration of the sacrament.
Andrew Thomson, 1778-1831, trained in the University of Edinburgh, was an outstanding Scottish Presbyterian preacher and leading public figure in Edinburgh. He had musical gifts and set himself to improve the psalmody of his church and composed a number of tunes. In collaboration with his precentor, R. A. Smith, he compiled several collections of psalms and hymns. He also published books of sermons and lectures and wrote numerous magazine articles. Thomson died suddenly within a few steps of his own door when returning from a Presbytery meeting. His son became professor of music in the University of Edinburgh.
581. Show me thy ways, O Lord
Psalm XXV
Scottish Psalter, 1650
Psalm 25:4-7. A Prayer to God for Guidance and Forgiveness.
MUSIC. ST. BRIDE appeared in Parochial Harmony; consisting of a collection of Psalm tunes in three and four parts, &c., by William Riley, 1762, where it was set to the new version of Psalm 130 and headed “St. Bridget’s Tune by Mr. Sam’l Howard.” The tune is in strict psalm-tune style and therefore simple in structure. But it has strength and high quality and is deserving of its wide and continuous use.
Samuel Howard, 1710-82, London musician, was organist of St. Clement Danes and of St. Bride’s churches. He was a popular composer of both sacred and secular music.