The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation Non-US copyright
SATB and organ. Text from Psalm 27:1,4,5,7.
Notes: This anthem has an ethereal quality which needs to be created by a pure sound from the sopranos at the start. The falling 5th and 7ths must be clean and accurate. Throughout, the melodic lines should be sensitively phrased with careful consideration of the dynamics. Any syncopation should be rhythmically accurate but not jagged and pointed. The passages where everyone is singing the same words may need to be practiced to make sure the words and chords sound together in all parts. There are many passages where the basses have a descending chromatic scale. Make sure this is confidently in tune and rhythmical as they underpin the harmony. At the end of the Gloria encourage all singers to sing ‘pp’. Again, the soprano line needs to be sustained and controlled ending on a D major chord that ‘diminuendos’ into silence.
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?
One thing have I desired of the Lord: which I will require,
Even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;
to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to visit his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle;
Yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me and set me up upon a rock of stone.
Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness;
I will sing and speak praises unto the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.