Psalm 27

So, the level of angst that the psalmist must have has to be off the charts.  I mean psalm after psalm he or she articulates more angst then a suburban teenager.  At this point in this lenten journey I'm starting to wonder if I have been stuck in the lyrics of a 1990's Fiona Apple album.  Nonetheless, I like the chant I wrote for Psalm 27.  I can't claim that it's all that creative.  It simply sounds like a nice progression.

1	The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? *     the LORD is the strength of my life;     of whom then shall I be afraid?
2	When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *     it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who                               stumbled and fell.
3	Though an army should encamp against me, *     yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4	And though war should rise up against me, *     yet will I put my trust in him.
5	One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; *     that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days                               of my life;
6	To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *     and to seek him in his temple.

7	For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe                                in his shelter; *     he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling     and set me high upon a rock.
8	Even now he lifts up my head *     above my enemies round about me.
9	Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; *     I will sing and make music to the LORD.
10	Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *     have mercy on me and answer me.
11	You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *     Your face, LORD, will I seek.
12	Hide not your face from me, *     nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13	You have been my helper; cast me not away; *     do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14	Though my father and my mother forsake me, *     the LORD will sustain me.
15	Show me your way, O LORD; *     lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16	Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *     for false witnesses have risen up against me,     and also those who speak malice.
17	What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the LORD *     in the land of the living!

18	O tarry and await the LORD'S pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *     wait patiently for the LORD.

Psalm 10 Dbl Chant F# Dorian

There is a lot angst in Psalm 10.  I decided to put it in F# Dorian.  The dorian mode isn't the most angst riddled key; so, I used some cluster chords to express the angst.  I am not sure if I like it.  I think it would work, but it will definitely be hard to sing. What do you all think?

1 Why do you stand so far off, O Lord, *

     and hide yourself in time of trouble?

2 The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, *

     but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.

3 The wicked boast of their heart’s desire; *

     the covetous curse and revile the Lord.

4 The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; *

     their only thought is, “God does not matter.”

5 Their ways are devious at all times;

     your judgments are far above out of their sight; *

     they defy all their enemies.

6 They say in their heart, “I shall not be shaken; *

     no harm shall happen to me ever.”

7 Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; *

     under their tongue are mischief and wrong.

8 They lurk in ambush in public squares and in secret places

     they murder the innocent; *

     they spy out the helpless.

9 They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert;

     they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; *

     they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.

10 The innocent are broken and humbled before them; *

     the helpless fall before their power.

11 They say in their heart, “God has forgotten; *

     he hides his face; he will never notice.”

12 Rise up, O Lord; lift up your hand, O God; *

     do not forget the afflicted.

13 Why should the wicked revile God? *

     why should they say in their heart, “You do not care”?

14 Surely, you behold trouble and misery; *

     you see it and take it into your own hand.

15 The helpless commit themselves to you, *

     for you are the helper of orphans.

16 Break the power of the wicked and evil; *

     search out their wickedness until you find none.

17 The Lord is King for ever and ever; *

      the ungodly shall perish from his land.

18 The Lord will hear the desire of the humble; *

     you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;

19 To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, *

     so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.