1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
This setting of Psalms 42 and 43 was written and submitted by Travis Ham and focuses on helping believers answer waves of aching despair with an intentional refocusing on God, the help of our countenance [Ps. 42:11, ASV].
Psalm 42, Psalm 43
How does this psalm piece interpret the psalm?
Though this song was written pre-COVID, the psalm’s recognition of the pain felt both from being separate from the close fellowship of gathered worship and also from the breaking sorrows that surround us seems all too relevant in our current moment. Likewise, the psalmist’s pattern of answering each wave of despair by speaking truth and hope to his soul is intentionally reflected in the chorus.
This song could work as a lament, but a stronger use would be to help move a congregation from a season or moment lament to praise. Given the specific subject matter, it could be especially useful in helping those processing the chronic grief of being necessarily separate from in-person corporate worship.
Text and Music: Psalms 42–43; Travis Ham, © 2016 Travis Ham
Used by permission.
Contact: Travis Ham, travis@bcbc.org
Modern song writers are continually setting the psalms to new music for band-led worship contexts. Join Paul Ryan, Nate Glasper, and the Calvin University Worship Apprentices to sing contemporary psalm settings sung in public worship at Calvin.
Join this excursion through compositional method, use of text, melodic creation, vocal range, and inner insights. The session includes the presentation of new psalm settings by Rawn Harbor.
Martin Luther frequently called Psalm 118 as his “own beloved psalm,” describing it as a “friend who helped [him] out of many troubles.” This session provides a history of the interpretation of this beloved psalm by looking at the readings of Ambrose, Augustine, Theodoret of Cyrus, Cassiodorus, Luther, and Calvin.
Modern song writers are continually setting the psalms to new music for band-led worship contexts. Join Paul Ryan, Nate Glasper, and the Calvin University Worship Apprentices to sing contemporary psalm settings sung in public worship at Calvin.
Join this excursion through compositional method, use of text, melodic creation, vocal range, and inner insights. The session includes the presentation of new psalm settings by Rawn Harbor.
Martin Luther frequently called Psalm 118 as his “own beloved psalm,” describing it as a “friend who helped [him] out of many troubles.” This session provides a history of the interpretation of this beloved psalm by looking at the readings of Ambrose, Augustine, Theodoret of Cyrus, Cassiodorus, Luther, and Calvin.
Carmen Imes has spent the past fifteen years immersed in the book of Exodus, writing about it for both her master’s thesis and her doctoral dissertation. In this lecture, Imes will share some of the most paradigm-shifting insights she’s had while reading Exodus through an Egyptian lens.
