Psalm 23 (The Lord Is My Shepherd) (2019)
SATB w/ piano accompaniment (medium-advanced, grade 4.5)
approx. duration: 6 minutes, 40 seconds
Psalm 23 (The Lord Is My Shepherd), inspired by Psalm 23:1-6, follows the text throughout. This choral work features an opening piano theme that helps introduce most of the thematic material of the work and the piano returns with this theme in different keys and in moments of transitioning to new sections of the work. This theme weaves in and out of major and minor chords as well as consonances and dissonances that create an ambience of God guiding us through both the hopeful and desperate times.
Text painting is used in this work to help depict the emotion and feeling of the text. In moments of the text referencing God as our shepherd and walking in His righteousness, a hopeful major atmosphere is set. In other times, such as “Even though I walk through the valley of death...” a more minor and dark setting portrays the darkness that surrounds, but eventually grows to brighten as we are surrounded by His love and grace.
Text painting is used in this work to help depict the emotion and feeling of the text. In moments of the text referencing God as our shepherd and walking in His righteousness, a hopeful major atmosphere is set. In other times, such as “Even though I walk through the valley of death...” a more minor and dark setting portrays the darkness that surrounds, but eventually grows to brighten as we are surrounded by His love and grace.
TEXT:
[1] The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
[2] He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.
[3] He refreshes and restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
[4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod
[to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
[5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with
oil; My cup overflows.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever
in the house and in the presence of the Lord.
- Psalm 23:1-6
[2] He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.
[3] He refreshes and restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
[4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod
[to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
[5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with
oil; My cup overflows.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever
in the house and in the presence of the Lord.
- Psalm 23:1-6
INSTRUMENTATION:
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass
Piano
Alto
Tenor
Bass
Piano
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