John Coltrane’s composition “Psalm” from his album A Love Supreme

 Hello All,

Here is a great expression of faith sent to me by one of favorite Franciscans:

We end the week inviting you to contemplate the soulful music of saxophonist John Coltrane’s composition “Psalm” from his album A Love Supreme. In “Psalm,” John Coltrane plays the “words” of his poem that was included in the original liner notes. He put this handwritten poem/prayer on the music stand in front of him, and “played” it as if it were music. Practicing Lectio Divina with this song may deepen your sense of prayer and add possible ways to pray. If you enjoy the practice with “Psalm,” we encourage you to try praying with other music. That is one of the beauties of Lectio Divina: it encourages us to “pray always.”

• Before clicking on the following link to listen to John Coltrane’s “Psalm,” settle your body and begin with silence, asking God to be present in your listening. 
   
• Listen to “Psalm” and read along with the words from the poem that appear on the screen. Listen more than once. As you listen again, notice if any image, word, emotion, or memory is called forth in you.
   
• When you settle on an image, word, emotion, or memory, sit silently with it and bring your attention back to it when your attention strays.
   
• Ask God to reveal what this image, word, phrase, or emotion might have to say about your life today.? How is it connected to your spiritual journey?
   
• Rest silently with your image, word, phrase, or emotion. Offer it to God. Wait patiently on God.
   
• What would you like to express to God about the experience of praying with this piece of music? Take some time to journal about your experience.

Here are the opening lines of “Psalm”:

I will do all I can to be worthy
of Thee O Lord.
It All has to do with it.
Thank You God.
Peace.
There is none other.
God is. It is so beautiful.
Thank You God. God is All.
Help us to resolve our fears &
weaknesses.
In You All things are possible.

 

 

John Coltrane, “Psalm,” A Love Supreme (Impulse! Records: 1965).

If you have 18 minutes please listen to this recording. If you have a bit more time read 

Coltrane's bio on Wikipedia, but perhaps you already know him. His bio is long, he died

at age 40 with an incredible body of work. If you want to get to the heart of his bio scroll

to Personal Life and Religious Beliefs. 

We all follow a winding road John's is one to study and settle into its influence.

Love, hank 

If you have 18 minutes please listen to this recording. If you have a bit more time read 

Coltrane's bio on Wikipedia, but perhaps you already know him. His bio is long, he died

at age 40 with an incredible body of work. If you want to get to the heart of his bio scroll

to Personal Life and Religious Beliefs. 

We all follow a winding road John's is one to study and settle into its influence.

Love, hank