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Fr. Hemann releases Psalms of David CD

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
(Email Renee)

When Father David Hemann set out to write his sixth CD, his main goal was to convey what was truly in his heart.

After years of reading and praying the Psalms, he was inspired to put them to music, which resulted in his latest compilation titled Psalms of David.

“The Psalms are some of the greatest prayers we have,” he said. “The Psalms encompass a whole range of emotions and human experiences. There is a Psalm for every situation. We can even imagine Jesus at the feet of Mary, praying a Psalm.”

Both liturgically and in personal life, the priest stressed, Psalms are great prayers of the heart.

“It is my hope that as you prayerfully listen to these Psalms, the grace of God will fall upon you, bringing you peace, healing, love, repentance, joy and most of all, union with God,” said Father David Hemann, who is pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Ida Grove, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Holstein and St. Martin Church in Odebolt.

He referred to one of his favorite sayings from Brother Robert Simon of New Melleray Abbey: “God’s the music, I just play the notes.” That is how Father Hemann sums up his part in this musical journey.

The songs
Psalms of David contains 10 songs including an introductory song, eight Psalms and a closing song titled Canticle of Mary.

“The introductory song, titled Holy Presence, is a prayer that puts the listener into the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” said Father Hemann. “St. Francis de Sales says whether we pray publically or privately, it’s important that before we do anything, we should really become consciously aware that we are in the presence of God.”

The eight Psalms included on the CD touch upon a wide range of topics. For instance, Psalm 51 centers on asking for God’s mercy, Psalm 27 focuses on trusting in the Lord and Psalm 131 is about being like a child in the arms of the Lord. It incorporates the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep prayer.

He pointed out that the sixth selection on the CD, Psalm 34 – O Lord My God I Cry to You, praises God in the midst of pain.

“Psalm 63 is about an incredible longing for God,” Father Hemann said. “Psalm 139 is one of the first ones that came. I felt such a beautiful presence of the Lord in writing that one. It is a beautiful pro-life song that talks about the Lord forming us in the womb.”

The fifth song on the CD, Psalm 116 – I Love You Lord, was offered up as a work of love and thanksgiving to God for 25 years in the priesthood. Father Hemann said he wants that played at his 25th jubilee this summer as it relates to serving the Lord.

The ninth selection and eighth Psalm of David is Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd.

“The Psalms on this album are ones that have always been my favorites,” said Father Hemann, who added that he was named after David of the Old Testament so he has always had an affinity toward him. “They are very trusting, intimate Psalms.”

In writing the songs centered on Psalms, he incorporated portions of the Psalms that will be familiar to most people and these happen to be the phrases that spoke most deeply to his heart.

The final song on the CD, he noted, is titled the Canticle of Mary. It is built on the Blessed Mother’s praise and thanks to God.

Musical production
Father Hemann said he was very pleased with the production of the CD.

J.E. Van Horne, the recording engineer for the project, said he doesn’t believe the CD could be any better.

“I think this by far is his best album and I have recorded three of his six,” he said.

Father Hemann expressed gratitude to many who contributed vocals or musical talent to the project: Amy Barnhard, backing vocals; Sean Conway, Irish whistler; Kate E. Jones, cello; Kevin Keane, backing vocals; Barbara Lepke-Sims, harp and Amy Van Horne, backing vocals. He also received great input from his brother priest, Father Shane Deman, which enhanced his vocal technique.

“I think the people he had play on it, played to their highest level and ability. They were all great players,” said Van Horne. “And Father David is a great writer and he plays great guitar.” Likewise, he praised the vocals.

The engineer mentioned that when he has seen Father Hemann live in concert, he has a wonderful way of connecting with people.

“With this album, better than any other, he has captured that,” Van Horne said. “As a recording engineer, that is the hardest thing to capture – that magic that happens when people are in front of other people.”

The recording engineer said he could not be prouder of the recording. In his 30 years in the business, Van Horne said this is as good as anything he has ever recorded.

The CD cover, noted Father Hemann, centers on a photo taken by G.R. Lindblade & Co. that features sun rays glistening through the stained windows at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City.

“I love the pillars there and I wanted to be photographed there,” said Father Hemann, who once served as the parish’s assistant pastor. “As we got in there, the light was falling beautifully on the pillars from the stained glass windows. We literally had about a half-hour window to get that shot.”

Through the cover, it was the priest’s hope to communicate “the individual soul pouring his heart out to God and heaven – the Lord – meeting the individual as they pray.” He wanted to convey more of a feeling of union with God over just an image of himself.

Soothing, healing
Father Hemann pointed out that prior to his official release of this CD, he had been taking it out with him on pastoral visits to the sick. One woman told him that the minute she would put on the music, her terminally ill husband would calm down and find peace.

“This music is very soothing. It has cello, harp and a hauntingly beautiful Irish whistle,” he said. “They are very gentle, prayerful, even songs.”

The songs have been used to minister to not only the terminally ill, he added, but to women in labor. Others have informed him that the songs have been successful in quieting their children down at bedtime.

Years ago
The thought of doing this project has been simmering for years.

Father David mentioned that recently a classmate of his from St. Edmond High School reminded him that back in Father Kielbasa’s religion class as a high school student he said one day he would put the Psalms to music.

“When God puts something in your heart, it eventually comes to be,” Father Hemann said.
The actual work on the CD began in 2007, noted Father Hemann. Psalms of David was completed on Nov. 22, one year to the day from when Father Hemann’s brother Mike died.

“I believe in the communion of saints and I believe Mike was very much helping me with this project,” he said.
He mentioned that many of the songs were either written or perfected during his visits to the New Melleray Abbey. One monk, after hearing his music, commented that one song was like a mini-retreat.

Before he begins a project, he prays to God and asks the Lord if he is supposed to proceed forward. Prior to his first day of recording in the studio in the summer of 2008 he prayed at a church in Omaha.

He got his answer when he picked up a book and randomly opened it up to the following quote: “King David published songs and appointed them to be sung with joy. He himself likewise often sang them, playing upon his harp, inspired by the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

Father Hemann acknowledged that much time and energy goes into creating a CD, but that’s what he does on his days off because “I just love it, it gives me life.”

To order CD:
Psalms of David is available for $17.50 - $15 for the CD plus $2.50 shipping and handling. Send your checks to: Father David Hemann, Sacred Heart Church, PO Box 244, Ida Grove, IA 51445. To see his other CD’s go to www. fatherdavid.net.