#a psalm is a song

[granonine]

Bless the Lord!

Psalm 103:1, 15-17. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy Name! As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto…

[highabovethecloudssomewhere]

Bi-Yearly Book Catalogue (2024)

Every book I’ve read the past six months and what I thought, told as briefly as I can manage.

One Star Books:

Loveless by Alice Oseman

I understand that this book was helpful for a lot of people. It was the opposite of helpful for me.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

My gripes with this can be whittled down into: this writer does not understand depression but really, really wants to cure it. Also, if you do decide to give this book a try, please mind the subject material. It really, really isn’t for everyone.

Two Star Books:

N/A

Three Star Books:

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

A simple book about an old man learning to want to live again. Where ‘The Midnight Library’ failed for me, this one succeeded. If you plan to read this one, be mindful of the content warnings. It also isn’t for everyone.

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowely

It’s about a dog who has cancer. I think that says it all. There were parts of this book I really liked and parts I really didn’t like. It lost me halfway through and I stopped caring about the stakes, which is really upsetting when the stakes are a dog. But the good parts are really, really good. Just be mindful of the premise going into it.

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

I liked the character work, loved the world building and on a technical level the writing was well-done. My gripes have to do with the story’s internal contradictions and how the only character traits I can think of for the main character are “asexual” and “inventor,” neither of which are explored properly (emphasis on asexual here). I didn’t like that despite being 21, the main character was narratively treated like a child, often involving his sexuality. I had to google how old he was multiple times because I couldn’t believe he wasn’t in his mid-teens given how he reacted to the story and how the story treated him. Loved the writing on a technical level, though, and I do plan to read more from this author.

Four Star Books:

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

A COFFEE shop AU? In MY high fantasy? If you like DnD, low-stakes high-fantasy and fun character work, give this one a read. It’s very cozy.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

It’s a book about a nonbinary tea monk and a robot who lives in the mountains. Slow-paced with good vibes and great world building. I read it in an evening and came away from it feeling warm.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship breaks my heart again. This was incredibly well-written and appropriately devastating. I just wanted them to be happy.

Countdown to Countdown by Kong Xiao Tong (graphic novel)

I bought a physical copy of this because I’ve always loved the artist’s work and wanted to support, and I enjoyed it a LOT. Beautiful art, fantastic characters. I know not everyone can avoid a physical copy, but the webcomic is available to read for free online and I highly recommend giving it a try.

Our Dining Table by Ori Mita (manga)

Learning to enjoy mealtime with loved ones again after childhood trauma? Y’all. It’s a single-volume manga and it’s well worth your time.

Five Star Books:

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

This was the most devastating book I’ve ever read. If you are interested in reading it: find a list of content warnings first. I went in blind. It is hauntingly real and the author handled the material so, so well. I can’t recommend this book without that caveat. But it’s one of the best-written books I’ve read.

The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson

This book is about a man looking back on his life as a boy - the friends he made and the misadventurous ghost-hunts his uncle dragged them into. It’s just the right amount of campy with fun characters and a brilliant use of prose. If you’re a less experienced reader and want a book that is easily digestible while also being extraordinarily well-written, I’d recommend this book in a heartbeat, and it’s every bit as entertaining for more advanced readers.

What you are looking for is in the library by Aoyama Michiko

Five stories about five people, all in different stages of life, and their unique experiences with the same librarian and the same library. Individually, each character in each story has their unsatisfying lives changed in an unexpectedly simple way, thanks to the library. There’s nothing wild about this book, but it is wildly impactful. The library is for everyone!

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Heroine travels the treacherous seas to save the man she loves. It’s a book about perspectives and joy and making unlikely friends, breaking curses through clever means and never, ever giving up. It has all the whimsy of a classic fairytale, yet not once could I predict how it was going to end. It’s fast-paced and hard to put down. The world is intriguing and the characters are wonderful.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

This book is utterly mind-bending and I loved it. Two time-travelers chase each other through reality on opposing sides of the Time War and gradually fall in love. It’s great. The biggest complaint I see leveled at this book comes from less experienced readers who struggle to follow the narrative - and I do agree, if you’re just getting into reading for fun this might be a book to save for later. But don’t let me stop you. I loved this book.

Conclusion:

Reading is great. Libraries are your friend. I always love book recommendations and I’m on GoodReads as BeyondTheClouds777, predictably. If any of y’all take a stab at these books (or have taken stabs in the past), I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’m back in my bookworm era and thriving.

[serjaimelannister]

Lord, send me a mechanic if I’m not beyond repair... (x)

[synelven]

my shoulder blades give way to feathers forming, my skin is falling away and I feel everything

[just-a-gender-fluid-puddle]

I need everyone to go and read A Psalm For The Wild Built by Becky Chambers for a comforting, cosy and hopeful science fiction story. It's one of my absolute favourite books and it's wonderful.

The main character is also agender and uses they/them pronouns!

[wiirocku]

Psalm 69:30 (NKJV) - I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

[sapphicbookoftheday]

Favorite Non-Sapphic Books

Hey, everyone! Although this is a blog for sapphic books, I thought it might be nice to share some of my other favorite books. (By the way, this is a really long list.)

[stoportotouch]

requesting Tozer Thoughts for the meme :3

first impression

i actually can't remember. i probably noticed his non-british-english pronunciation of "lieutenant" in the first episode the first time i watched it.

impression now

oh i love him. he's so pathetic. also it's a good thing that they don't pay him to be clever because he would owe them money by the end if they did. interesting to me also that he kind of occupies hodgson's place in the narrative when you think about The Book. (which is mostly done by having heather die far less... pleasantly. in the show than in the book.) a real orange cat of a man.

favourite moment

i like him and armitage conspiring to whack little on the head. this is in part because little getting his brain stirred around a bit is one of my favourite things to contemplate but partly because i do not think that i would have the self-control that little has not to just go with him.

idea for a story

he isn't really a guy that i do enough with in general in fanfic. i would like to Think A Bit More about his relationship with hodgson though. i have a written but not published prequel to it hurts to pray to god where they are if not friends then kind of in agreement. (tozer is just like "hm. not sure what to do with that information." about hodgson telling him that he was going to poision himself, etc.)

unpopular opinion

i don't know if i have one tbh.

favourite relationship

oh this is a complicated one because while i don't think he timed his "run away with me join the mutiny" with little very well (just after little's Boy Best Friend was killed. badly.) i fear that they have a type of chemistry that is more interesting than i give 'em credit for. so, you know, missed connection maybe?

favourite headcanon

even if they aren't A Thing i feel like he and little can no less vibe somewhat. little's youngest brother is a marine; i feel like they get each other thanks to that.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

I Waited Patiently for the LORD

1 I waited, waited for יהוה; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

2 And He drew me Out of the pit of destruction, Out of the muddy clay, And He set my feet upon a rock, He is establishing my steps.

3 Then He put a new song in my mouth; Praise to our Elohim; Many do see it and fear, And trust in יהוה.

4 Blessed is that man who has made יהוה his trust, And has not turned to the proud, And those turning aside to falsehood.

5 O יהוה my Elohim, many are the wonders Which You have done, and Your purposes toward us; There is no one to compare with You; I declare and speak: They are too many to be numbered.

6 Slaughtering and meal offering You did not desire; You have opened my ears; Burnt offering and sin offering You did not ask for.

7 Then I said, “See, I have come; In the scroll of the Book it is prescribed for me.

8 I have delighted to do Your pleasure, O my Elohim, And Your Torah is within my hearta.”

9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness, In the great assembly; See, I do not restrain my lips, O יהוה, You know.

10 I did not conceal Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your trustworthiness and Your deliverance; I did not hide Your kindness and Your truth From the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold Your compassion from me, O יהוה; Let Your kindness and Your truth always watch over me.

12 For evils without number have surrounded me; My crookednesses have overtaken me, And I have been unable to see; They became more than the hairs of my head; And my heart has failed me.

13 Be pleased, O יהוה, to deliver me; O יהוה, hasten to help me!

14 Let those who seek to destroy my life Be ashamed and abashed altogether; Let those who are desiring my evil Be driven back and put to shame.

15 Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” Be appalled at their own shame.

16 Let all those who seek You Rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your deliverance always say, “יהוה be exalted!”

17 But I am poor and needy; Let יהוה think upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my Elohim, do not delay! — Psalm 40 | The Scriptures 1998 (ISR 1998) The Scriptures 1998 Copyright © 1998 Institute for Scripture Research. All Rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 49:18; Joshua 22:22; Job 5:9; Job 7:11; Job 37:24; Job 42:3; Psalm 7:9; Psalm 18:5; Psalm 18:29; Psalm 22:19; psalm 22:26; Psalm 25:3; Psalm 25:10; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 35:4; Psalm 35:21; Psalm 35:26-27; Psalm 38:22; Psalm 57:3; Psalm 70:3-4 and 5; Psalm 86:1 Matthew 3:15; Luke 21:20; John 4:34; Acts 20:20; Acts 20:27; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 10:5-6; Hebrews 10:7-8 and 9; 1 Peter 5:7; Revelation 5:9

[justana0kguy]

2023 SEPTEMBER 02 Saturday

"Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wondrous deeds;

His right hand has won victory for Him, His holy arm.

Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it;

Let the rivers clap their hands, The mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD."

~ Psalms 98:1,7

[krystaldeath]

No fucking WAY am I giggling irl bc of Wyll’s response to if you ask him (after romancing him for a bit; after the first dance together) what you are to him. Was actually smiling and maybe perhaps blushing like BRO CALM DOWN HE’S NOT EVEN SAYING IT YOU HE’S SAYING IT TO MAXIBUS

[hollers-and-holmes]

“Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.”

‭‭Psalm 81

[sjwallin]

New Sheet Music and Recording

Presenting my latest solo vocal work, “Psalm 47 (In Celebration of Hope)”! Composed for Mitchell Sturges in 2024. A majestic, neoclassical setting of Psalm 47, based on The Jewish Publication Society’s “The Holy Scriptures According to the Masoretic Text: A New Translation” (1917) and “The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein”. There are currently six versions of this solo available:…

[spiritofpassionfruit]

I feel like I won whenever I hear that Deborah's war songs are some of the oldest texts in the bible.

[celestial-virtue]

Oct 31, 2024 》

🌊 Voted today, so I treated myself w some chocolate and a nice view. (esp if the weather is incredibly nice today)!! 🫶

[wiirocku]

Psalm 118:15 (NLT) - Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!