I wanted to use dissonance to articulate both my anger and the anger of the text. I decided to write atonally for the first six verses, then in C major for the switch. When I write atonal music I look for some other way to provide structure to the piece. I don't want it to sound like I threw notes on the page willy-nilly. I decided, admittedly with a bit of spite, to thumb my nose at one of the cardinal part writing rules and use parallel fifths in the lower voices. The parallel minor thirds in the upper voices moving in contrary motion help add both dissonance and direction.
I didn't want the switch to tonal to sound trite, however. So instead of a C major with a minor-ninth sonority like I started the part, I made it a major ninth to have a bit of crunch but less dissonance.
| 1 | O LORD, I call to you; my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; * lest, if you do not hear me, I become like those who go down to the Pit. |
| 2 | Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, * when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies. |
| 3 | Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the evildoers, * who speak peaceably with their neighbors, while strife is in their hearts. |
| 4 | Repay them according to their deeds, * and according to the wickedness of their actions. |
| 5 | According to the work of their hands repay them, * and give them their just deserts. |
| 6 | They have no understanding of the LORD'S doings, nor of the works of his hands; * therefore he will break them down and not build them up. |
| 7 | Blessed is the LORD! * for he has heard the voice of my prayer. |
| 8 | The LORD is my strength and my shield; * my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped; |
| 9 | Therefore my heart dances for joy, * and in my song will I praise him. |
| 10 | The LORD is the strength of his people, * a safe refuge for his anointed. |
| 11 | Save your people and bless your inheritance; * shepherd them and carry them for ever. |
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