Presbyterian psalms project focuses on experiences of victims and first responders during the 'Troubles'

Performed for the first time on March 26 (Thursday next) at a special public service in Presbyterian Assembly Buildings, Belfast, the evening is an opportunity to sing through the newly composed psalms, which are also a congregational resource that can be used by local churches.

Explaining the background to the commissioning and the writing of the psalms, Dr Campbell, a former minister of two Presbyterian churches, says it had been a privilege to have been asked to be part of the project. “It has been a special honour to accompany people in their pain, listen to their stories and make sense of suffering through the lens of scripture. The 'Psalms of Lament' provide honest words to speak before God when our own words fail us.”

Dr Campbell adds: “The 'Psalms of Lament' are rarely sung in our worship services. Perhaps it is because the language is so strong and could be misunderstood as expressing unfaith. Yet, these psalms allow space to express disappointment, betrayal, anger and hurt at others, before God and even at God. Sometimes this is the most hopeful action, and by recovering the practice of lament, it gives space in our worship for marginalised voices to speak their pain to God and reconnect with the God who is ever compassionate and loving. I hope that it will also be a time for musicians, singers, organists, and music directors from our congregations to join us."

'Considering Lament' is part of a decade-long project undertaken by the Presbyterian Church which led to the 2019 publication of the book ‘Considering Grace: Presbyterians and the Troubles’. The book is a collection of experiences of 120 Presbyterians who through their stories tell of how they coped with loss and tests of faith during the Ulster 'Troubles'. Including critical friends. The book also sought to assist the Church to examine its own history and reflect on its pastoral response.

Dr Campbell recounts: “The book was exceptional in allowing voices of those who had suffered extreme loss to come to the fore. 'Considering Grace' also yielded up questions of how a denomination continues to support those who have encountered the most extreme form of loss and suffering. It was important to continue this work by reconvening eight regional focus groups across Northern Ireland as part of the process. Each psalm represents work of one focus group. The words in the songs come from phrases used during the focus groups who in the end had final editorial control. It was important this project was victim centred in every way."

The focus groups were in Armagh, Ballymena, Bangor, Belfast, Londonderry, Omagh and Dungannon. Each group studied a 'Psalm of Lament' from the Biblical book of Psalms that matched the experience of the place. The project was also expanded to reflect experience of the nationalist community and young people growing up iin the peace process.

Dr Campbell explains: “In Co Armagh, for example, threat of ambush was particularly real during the Troubles, so we looked at the ambush psalm Psalm 64. The group helped shape sentiments of the psalmist’s sense of ambush with words of the song: ‘Their perfect ambushed words – were a snare to me…hide me from conspiracy.’

“In towns where there were still open wounds that were connected to feelings of injustice, Psalm 82 resonated, calling God to rise and act in justice. Then there were softer places that had been relatively sheltered from the 'Troubles'. Here, we looked at Psalm 39, which spoke of walls of silence that caused so much pain and uncertainty.”

Local artistes and musicians performed the 'Psalms of Lament', which were recorded by producer and musician Kenny Qua at his south Armagh recording studio.

“On the night we will sing these psalms together, and in addition to a team of musicians guiding us through the singing, there will be stories from different focus groups identifying the sound of reconciliation in the midst of the deepest of wounds. After the launch, the songs and liturgies will be available for download on the PCI website.”

'Considering Lament' is a project of the PCI’s council for public affairs through its peace and reconciliation panel, chaired by Rev Dr Tony Davidson, retired minister of First Armagh Presbyterian Church. 'Considering Grace' was a seminal undertaking for PCI, as the church wanted to examine its history pastorally and offer what emerged for the benefit of the denomination, wider church, and the common good.

“Each of the psalms in 'Considering Lament' is very different in form and style, and builds on the huge respect that there is in Irish Presbyterianism for the singing of psalms, as for centuries they have been sung in our churches. They can be expressive, enabling us not only to praise God, but to cry out to him when life does not rhyme anymore, says Dr Davidson. He adds: “While I hope this initiative gives victims and survivors a way of expressing their emotions and trauma before the Lord, which is a very Biblical thing to do, they are also very counter cultural, as there is an aspect to modern Christianity today that says we should always be happy. In our current context, there is also space for lament, especially lament that can point us to the hope that we have in Christ."