Psalms for SATB #4, Vol. 15

Bless the Lord, O My Soul – Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O My Soul – a Psalm of supplication.
Bless.  Bless me. Bless my soul. Bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O bless the Lord
Benedic.  Bless.

Here I Am, O Lord – Psalm 40
Here I Am, O Lord – (in English) – a Psalm of praise.
Here I Am, O Lord is from Psalm 40: 2, 7, 8, and has a lyrical melody and features imitation between men and women’s voices.

I Will Fulfill My Vows – Psalm 22
I Will Fulfill My Vows – a Psalm of promise.
I Will Fulfill My Vows is from Psalm 22: 25 and reflects the strong promise “I will fulfill my vows in the sight of those who fear the Lord,” alternating plainchant with lyricism with interaction between women and men’s voices. In Latin and English: Laus mea in ecclesia magna. Apud te laus mea in ecclesia magna. My praise to you in the great congregation.

The King of Glory Enters! – Psalm 24
The King of Glory Enters! – a Psalm of anticipation.
The King of Glory Enters! is from Psalm 24: 7, 9, “Lift up your heads, the King of Glory enters” from Psalm 24: 7, 9, is suitable for Palm Sunday or other festive occasions. Changing meters from duple to triple, changing tempos, imitations, and Latin versus English all add excitement to this noble, processional anthem in Latin and English: Attollite, portae, capita vestra. The King of Glory enters. Lift up your heads, ye gates. Raise up your heads, ye gates.

O Lord, You Have Searched Me – Psalm 139
O Lord, You Have Searched Me – (in English) – a Psalm of thankfulness.
O Lord, You Have Searched Me for SSAA is from Psalm 139: 1-6 and reflects the words “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high; I cannot attain it,” with soaring lyricism, changing and unexpected harmonic twists, imitation, and dueling duple versus triple meter.