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This is an art song setting of Psalm 13. The title of the song is indeed “Psalm 13,” but the words “How long?” recur multiple times and sound like something of a refrain. This was written for the first Deus Ex Musica concert project, “In the Shadow of Your Wings.”
Psalm 13
How does this psalm piece interpret the psalm?
This setting of Psalm 13 was commissioned by Deus Ex Musica, an organization committed to the development of sacred music. The psalm, a lament, opens by repeating the words “How long?” four times. This howling cry drew me deeper into the text and its raw emotion, and my setting aims to similarly convey the desperation of the speaker as they cry out to God, fearing they have been abandoned in their trials. Ultimately, though, the speaker regains faith and rejoices, trusting that God is with them even in their darkest hour. The song is a journey, traveling from the immediacy of anguish, pain, loneliness, and desolation through the recovery of strength and resolve and ultimately to the peace of trusting in God’s lovingkindness. The text is adapted by the composer from the World English Bible translation, with additions from alternate translations at the discretion of the composer. The performance features Mary Montgomery Koppel, composer and soprano, accompanied by Abigail Frost on piano.
While this song premiered in concert as part of an ecumenical concert and discussion, it has also been an integral part of worship at my home church, First Church in Wenham (Mass.). As our worship team built virtual worship services compiled from various video contributions from our ministers, deacons, and musicians, we contributed this for use as an anthem and a musical reflection on Scripture.
Text and Music: Psalm 13; Mary Montgomery Koppel, © Mary Montgomery Koppel
Contact: Mary Montgomery Koppel, mkmkmusic@gmail.com
Carmen Imes has spent the past fifteen years immersed in the book of Exodus, writing about it for both her master’s thesis and her doctoral dissertation. In this lecture, Imes will share some of the most paradigm-shifting insights she’s had while reading Exodus through an Egyptian lens.
“Deconstruction” is a popular term among young people who grew up in the Christian church. In this public lecture, Robert Chao Romero will consider the challenge of widespread deconstruction while offering a hopeful path forward. Expanding on Phyllis Tickle’s analogy of the church having a rummage sale of ideas every few centuries, Romero invites us to consider the contributions of Latina/o theology and the history of the Brown Church as valuable resources for reconstruction on the other side of deconstruction.
Modern song writers are continually setting the psalms to new music for band-led worship contexts. Join Paul Ryan, Nate Glasper, and the Calvin University Worship Apprentices to sing contemporary psalm settings sung in public worship at Calvin.
Carmen Imes has spent the past fifteen years immersed in the book of Exodus, writing about it for both her master’s thesis and her doctoral dissertation. In this lecture, Imes will share some of the most paradigm-shifting insights she’s had while reading Exodus through an Egyptian lens.
“Deconstruction” is a popular term among young people who grew up in the Christian church. In this public lecture, Robert Chao Romero will consider the challenge of widespread deconstruction while offering a hopeful path forward. Expanding on Phyllis Tickle’s analogy of the church having a rummage sale of ideas every few centuries, Romero invites us to consider the contributions of Latina/o theology and the history of the Brown Church as valuable resources for reconstruction on the other side of deconstruction.
Modern song writers are continually setting the psalms to new music for band-led worship contexts. Join Paul Ryan, Nate Glasper, and the Calvin University Worship Apprentices to sing contemporary psalm settings sung in public worship at Calvin.
Join this excursion through compositional method, use of text, melodic creation, vocal range, and inner insights. The session includes the presentation of new psalm settings by Rawn Harbor.
