“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
Could it be? Paul Simon, songwriter and singer, a modern psalmist? “God comes up a lot in my songs.” Paul Simon quote
The word “psalm’ comes from the Greek “psalmos,” in Hebrew “mizmor,” a song recited to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument. Psalms are sung poetic songs, extended musical compositions. Many of Simon’s lyrics to me meet that definition. Most of the songs sung by Simon and Garfunkel are accompanied by guitars.
Most likely it wasn’t the powerful wind of Pentecost that opened his mind to the Spirit as he wrote his songs. Did the Spirit come to him as a soft, quiet breeze, an inspirational presence, a gift, a mysterious, intentional act of God? The Spirit “blows where it chooses,” and we do not know when or where or how.
Simon and Garfunkel’s greatest hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970), to me meets the definition of a psalm. You can hear in their combined voice as they soar and sweep in this great panegyric of hope and sacrifice, a hymn, a psalm, to be sung and read aloud.
Could it be, these verses from The Book of Psalms prefigure these lyrics: “Sing to him a new song: play skillfully on strings; with loud shouts” Psalm 33:3; or “I will sing to the Lord for he has dealt bountifully with me.”? Psalm 13: 6
“When you’re weary feeling small. When tears are in your eyes. I will dry them all. I’m on your side. When times get rough. And friends just can’t be found. Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down.
When you’re down and out. When you’re on the street. When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you. I’ll take your part.
When darkness comes, and pain is all around. Like a bridge over troubled water. I will lay me down. Like a bridge over troubled water. I will lay me down.
Sail on, silvergirl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine. If you need a friend, I’m sailing right behind. Like a bridge over troubled water. I will ease your mind. Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.”
Every time I hear this song, I know Jesus, the one who died for me, the one God raised up for me, is speaking to me: “I will lay me down;" “I will comfort you;” “I am right behind you;” “I will dry your tears;” “I’m on your side;" “I will take your part;” “I will ease your mind;” “I will lay me down.”
In today’s world, on our faith journey we sail through troubled water. But we sail on, and with prayerful discernment, we look in unfamiliar places, listen to unfamiliar voices. Voices that we find somehow in mystery and wonder speak to us of God’s grace and of God’s gift of uncompromising love in Christ Jesus.
Post Script:
“And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson. Jesus loves you more than you will know, God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson. Heaven holds a place for those who pray,”
Could it be? Paul Simon, songwriter and singer, a modern psalmist? “God comes up a lot in my songs.” Paul Simon quote
The word “psalm’ comes from the Greek “psalmos,” in Hebrew “mizmor,” a song recited to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument. Psalms are sung poetic songs, extended musical compositions. Many of Simon’s lyrics to me meet that definition. Most of the songs sung by Simon and Garfunkel are accompanied by guitars.
Most likely it wasn’t the powerful wind of Pentecost that opened his mind to the Spirit as he wrote his songs. Did the Spirit come to him as a soft, quiet breeze, an inspirational presence, a gift, a mysterious, intentional act of God? The Spirit “blows where it chooses,” and we do not know when or where or how.
Simon and Garfunkel’s greatest hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970), to me meets the definition of a psalm. You can hear in their combined voice as they soar and sweep in this great panegyric of hope and sacrifice, a hymn, a psalm, to be sung and read aloud.
Could it be, these verses from The Book of Psalms prefigure these lyrics: “Sing to him a new song: play skillfully on strings; with loud shouts” Psalm 33:3; or “I will sing to the Lord for he has dealt bountifully with me.”? Psalm 13: 6
“When you’re weary feeling small. When tears are in your eyes. I will dry them all. I’m on your side. When times get rough. And friends just can’t be found. Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down.
When you’re down and out. When you’re on the street. When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you. I’ll take your part.
When darkness comes, and pain is all around. Like a bridge over troubled water. I will lay me down. Like a bridge over troubled water. I will lay me down.
Sail on, silvergirl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine. If you need a friend, I’m sailing right behind. Like a bridge over troubled water. I will ease your mind. Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.”
Every time I hear this song, I know Jesus, the one who died for me, the one God raised up for me, is speaking to me: “I will lay me down;" “I will comfort you;” “I am right behind you;” “I will dry your tears;” “I’m on your side;" “I will take your part;” “I will ease your mind;” “I will lay me down.”
In today’s world, on our faith journey we sail through troubled water. But we sail on, and with prayerful discernment, we look in unfamiliar places, listen to unfamiliar voices. Voices that we find somehow in mystery and wonder speak to us of God’s grace and of God’s gift of uncompromising love in Christ Jesus.
Post Script:
“And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson. Jesus loves you more than you will know, God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson. Heaven holds a place for those who pray,”
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