I wanted to feel like I had accomplished something last week, so Friday afternoon I recorded a quick demo of a new Psalm setting. (And then promptly didn’t have time to post it…)
The lyrics are the work of Michael Morgan and were written for the Timeless Psalter to the tune of TOULON. While that tune’s rugged beauty portrays the regal aspects of Psalm 89:1-8 well, I thought there was room for a more gentle interpretation of the Psalm and Michael’s metrical version of it.
Working in a jazz ballad style allowed the tenderness I was hoping for and also gave me lots of room to move harmonically. I love how the key of C quickly turns into a winding path that eventually leads to a chorus in E. No F#. Wait…Bb? And then back to C. And yet for all the twists and turns, it remains quite singable.
1. For all your loving acts, O Lord, I sing;
my mouth will shout your faithfulness and care;
and heaven’s grateful host will honor bring
to you, who wondrous gifts so freely share.
2. What other god of earth and sky can boast
the great and awesome blessings you afford?
What other mighty one among the host
deserves such praise that we should call him “Lord?”
The sky belongs to you, the earth, and all
that fill its fertile lands from shore to shore.
Your arm with strength will lift us when we fall,
and righteousness endure for evermore.
3. Send down true justice from your lofty throne,
and all-infusive light shine on our ways,
for only by your will such joy we own,
and for your gracious favor give you praise!