Psalm 79

The music in these posts is entirely derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Psalms 79: Syllables: 341; Longest recitation: 11; Tenor: e 23.17%;
Ornament density: 13.3; Average phrase length: 10.9.

The average length of the musical phrases between cadences is 10.9 in this psalm. Longest recitation is 11 (bar 58). This is definitely one phrase of length 19 syllables. Ornament density for the psalm is 13.3.

Verse 3 has a long phrase of 17 syllables essentially without a break. It is easy enough to allow a breath at the revia in the long second phrase of verse 1, but not so easy to observe a similar pause in verse 2a. In any case, the revia allows a pause but it is not a cadence.

1 A psalm of Asaph. O God the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled even your holy temple. They have set up Jerusalem in shambles. (1-2-4-1)
א מזמ֗ור לא֫ס֥ף א‍ֽלה֡ים ב֤או גוי֨ם בֽנחלת֗ך ט֭מאו את־היכ֣ל קדש֑ך ש֖מו את־ירושל֣ם לעיֽים	5 20 10		a mzmor lasf alohim bau goiim bnkltç Timau at-hicl qodwç wmu at-iruwlim lyiim
2 They have given the corpses of your servants as food to the fowl of the heavens, the flesh of those under your mercy to the animals of earth. (1-4-1)
ב נֽתנ֡ו את־נבל֬ת עבד֗יך מ֭אכל לע֣וף השמ֑ים בש֥ר ח֝סיד֗יך לחיתו־אֽרץ	19 10		b ntnu at-nblt ybdiç macl lyof hwmiim bwr ksidiç lkito-arx
3 They have poured out their blood like water round Jerusalem and there is no one to entomb. (1-1)
ג שפכ֬ו דמ֨ם כמ֗ים סֽב֘יב֤ות יֽרושל֗ם וא֣ין קובֽר	17		g wpcu dmm cmim sbibot iruwlim vain qobr
4 We have become a reproach to our neighbours, derision and ridicule to those around us. (1-4-1)
ד הי֣ינו ח֭רפה לשכנ֑ינו ל֥עג ו֝ק֗לס לסביבותֽינו	9 10		d hiinu krph lwcninu lyg vqls lsbibotinu
5 How long Yahweh will you be angry? in perpetuity? kindling like fire your jealousy? (1-4-1)
ה עד־מ֣ה י֭הוה תאנ֣ף לנ֑צח תבע֥ר כמו־א֝֗ש קנאתֽך	10 9		h yd-mh ihvh tanf lnxk tbyr cmo-aw qnatç
6 Pour out your heat over the nations who do not know you, and on kingdoms who do not call in your name. (1-2-4-1)
ו שפ֤ך חמתך֨ אֽל הגוים֮ אש֪ר לא־יד֫ע֥וך וע֥ל ממלכ֑ות אש֥ר ב֝שמך֗ ל֣א קרֽאו	16 5 9		v wpoç kmtç al hgoiim awr la-idyuç vyl mmlcot awr bwmç la qrau
7 ♪g For he devoured Jacob, and his home they have desolated. (g-1-4-1)
ז כ֭י אכ֣ל אֽת־יעק֑ב וֽאת־נו֥הו השֽמו	7 8		z ci acl at-iyqob vat-nvvhu hwmu
8 Do not remember against us the iniquities of former times. Swiftly let your compassions come before us, for we are brought very low. (1-2-4-1)
ח אֽל־תזכר־לנו֮ עונ֪ת ראש֫נ֥ים מ֭הר יקדמ֣ונו רחמ֑יך כ֖י דל֣ונו מאֽד	11 10 6		k al-tzcor-lnu yvonot rawonim mhr iqdmunu rkmiç ci dlonu maod
9 Help us O God of our salvation over the word of the glory of your name, and deliver us and cover over our sins for the sake of your name. (1-4-1)
ט עזר֤נו אל֘ה֤י ישע֗נו על־דב֥ר כבֽוד־שמ֑ך והציל֥נו וכפ֥ר על־ח֝טאת֗ינו למ֣ען שמֽך	17 19		T yozrnu alohi iwynu yl-dbr cbod-wmç vhxilnu vcpr yl-kTaotinu lmyn wmç
10 ♪C Why should the nations say, Where is their God? Let him be known among the nations in our sight, to revenge the pouring out of the blood of your servants. (C-1-2-4-1)
י ל֤מה יאמר֣ו הגוים֮ אי֪ה א‍ֽלה֫יה֥ם יוד֣ע בגוי֣ם לעינ֑ינו נ֝קמ֗ת דֽם־עבד֥יך השפֽוך	12 10 10		i lmh iamru hgoiim aih alohihm iivvdy bgoiim lyininu nqmt dm-ybdiç hwpuç
11 ♪C Let the groaning of the prisoner come before your face. According to the greatness of your arm, preserve a remnant of the children heading for death. (C-1-2-4-1)
יא ת֤ב֣וא לפניך֮ אנק֪ת א֫ס֥יר כג֥דל זרועך֑ ה֝ות֗ר בנ֣י תמותֽה	10 7 7		ia tboa lpniç anqt asir cgodl zroyç hotr bni tmuth
12 And return sevenfold to our neighbours in their bosom, their reproach with which they reproached you, my Lord. (1-4-1)
יב וה֘ש֤ב לשכנ֣ינו ש֭בעתים אל־חיק֑ם חרפ֘ת֤ם אש֖ר חרפ֣וך אדנֽי	13 11		ib vhwb lwcninu wbytiim al-kiqm krptm awr kirpuç adonii
13 And we your people and the flock of your pasture will give thanks to you forever. From generation to generation, we will recount your praises. (1-2-4-1)
יג ואנ֤חנו עמך֨ וצ֥אן מרעיתך֮ נ֤וד֥ה לך֗ לע֫ול֥ם לד֥ר וד֑ר נ֝ספ֗ר תהלתֽך	19 4 8		ig vanknu ymç vxan mryitç nodh lç lyolm ldor vdor nspr thilotiç

Metrics for the Psalms

We have already defined and used several metrics for the psalms. First to be suggested were tenor and ambitus and final. I refined the ambitus slightly to be restricted to the reciting notes and included range to allow for the ornaments that go beyond the recitation pitches. The final is always the tonic e. I have reported these as we look at each psalm. The initial investigation can be found here. A further discussion is here along with the initial investigation and definition of verse types by cadence sequence.

One of the characteristics of poetry is the shortness of the cola. But the psalms are far from uniform. In all the posts I list the syllable length of each phrase ending in a cadence. It is easy to observe the considerable variation even within one psalm. The averages are not terribly revealing. But a mean value is of some use next to the detail where you can scan and see the extremes.

The syllables per phrase range from an average of 13.2 syllables per phrase in Psalm 43 to as low as 7.3 in Psalm 150. Psalm 79 at 10.9 syllables per phrase is in the middle. Each psalm also has a longest recitation length and an ornament density. 

Prose has longer phrase lengths. Ruth for instance has a low of 16.3 in chapter 3 to a high of 20.2 in chapter 4.

All of these measurements are part of the search for hints to what the mode should be for the music. Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura says it is a musical decision. True enough -- and her musical decisions seem largely good to me, though I usually avoid her strange mode with its consecutive semitones in the second half octave.

Are there more hints as to what the ancient creators of this music thought? I certainly would not be asking this question if I was still talking about sequences of punctuation marks and continuous division of the text into a hierarchy. Yes there is some governance of the accents by others, but only in service to the musical phrase. Here's that governance table again.

Table of ornament counts for each reciting note – arranged by usage in descending order and by book group. (24, 21, and 3 refer to the number of books, all, prose, and poetry respectively.)

Psalm 6

The music in these posts is entirely derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Psalms 6: Syllables 200 Longest recitation 7 Tenor e 20.50%. Performance here.

Note the verses that begin on a note other than the tonic, e. Do they say something to you that connects with the previous verse or set of verses?

Apart from the revia and geresh, 8 of them in pairs, there is one ole and 1 tsinnor. This is quite a contrast with the bravura of psalm 5.

1 For the leader on strings in the eighth mode. A psalm of David. (1-1)
א למנצ֣ח ב֭נגינות עֽל־השמינ֗ית מזמ֥ור לדוֽד	16		a lmnxk bnginot yl-hwminit mzmor ldvid
2 Yahweh, do not in your anger correct me, and do not in your heat chasten me. (1-4-1)
ב יֽהו֗ה אל־באפך֥ תוכיח֑ני וֽאל־בחמתך֥ תיסרֽני	10 10		b ihvh al-bapç tocikni val-bkmtç tiisrni
3 Be gracious to me, Yahweh, for I, I am feeble. Heal me Yahweh, for vexed are my bones. (1-2-4-1)
ג חנ֥ני יהוה֮ כ֤י אמל֫ל־א֥ני רפא֥ני יהו֑ה כ֖י נבהל֣ו עצמֽי	10 6 7		g konni ihvh ci aumll-ani rpani ihvh ci nbhlu yxmii
4 ♪g And my being is vexed much. And you, Yahweh, how long? (g-1-4-1)
ד ו֭נפשי נבהל֣ה מא֑ד ואת֥ה י֝הו֗ה עד־מתֽי	8 8		d vnpwi nbhlh maod vath ihvh yd-mtii
5 Turn Yahweh, rescue my being. Save me for the sake of your kindness. (1-4-1)
ה שוב֣ה י֭הוה חלצ֣ה נפש֑י ה֝ושיע֗ני למ֣ען חסדֽך	8 10		h wubh ihvh klxh npwi howiyni lmyn ksdç
6 ♪C For there is not in death remembrance of you. In the grave who will give thanks to you? (C-1-4-1)
ו כ֤י א֣ין במ֣ות זכר֑ך ב֝שא֗ול מ֣י יֽודה־לֽך	8 6		v ci ain bmvvt zcrç bwaol mi iodh-lç
7 I am weary with my sighing. I make my couch swim every night. In my tears my bed I dissolve. (1-4-1)
ז יג֤עתי בֽאנחת֗י אשח֣ה בכל־ל֭ילה מטת֑י ב֝דמעת֗י ערש֥י אמסֽה	16 8		z igyti bankti awkh bcl-lilh miTti bdmyti yrwi amsh
8 Swollen from grief my eye, viscous in all my troubles. (1-4-1)
ח עֽשש֣ה מכ֣עס עינ֑י עֽ֝תק֗ה בכל־צוררֽי	7 6		k ywwh mcys yini ytqh bcl-xorrii
9 ♪B Depart from me, all workers of mischief, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping. (B-1-4-1)
ט ס֣ורו מ֭מני כל־פ֣עלי א֑ון כֽי־שמ֥ע י֝הו֗ה ק֣ול בכיֽי	11 7		T suru mmni cl-poyli avvn ci-wmy ihvh qol bcii
10 Yahweh hears my supplication. Yahweh will my prayer receive. (1-4-1)
י שמ֣ע י֭הוה תחנת֑י י֝הו֗ה תֽפלת֥י יקֽח	8 8		i wmy ihvh tkinti ihvh tpilti iiqk
11 Shamed and vexed much all my enemies. Let them turn, let them be ashamed in a moment. (1-4-1)
יא יב֤שו ויבהל֣ו מ֭אד כל־איב֑י י֝ש֗בו יב֥שו רֽגע	13 8		ia ibowu viibhlu maod cl-aoibii iwubu ibowu rgy

Psalm 5

 The music in these posts is entirely derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Psalms 5: Syllables 276 Longest recitation 12 Tenor e 31.16%

Verse 13 has the shortest distance between the two internal cadences that I can imagine.

This psalm has an instance of every ornament used in the poetry except shalshelet. 4 ole, so there should be 4 verses with a cadence on the second degree of the scale. 7 geresh, 15 revia 8 of which are not associated with a geresh, 2 qadma, 1 pazer, 2 zarqa, 4 tsinnor, 2 illuy. These are all the accents above the text. 13.8% of syllables are ornamented.
 

1 For the leader on the flutes. A psalm of David. (1-1)
א למנצ֥ח אֽל־הנחיל֗ות מזמ֥ור לדוֽד	13		a lmnxk al-hnkilot mzmor ldvid
2 To my promise give ear Yahweh. Discern my meditation. (1-1)
ב אמר֖י האז֥ינה יהו֗ה ב֣ינה הגֽיגי	14		b amrii hazinh ihvh binh hgigi
3 Attend to the voice of my cry, my king and my God, for to you I pray. (1-4-1)
ג הקש֤יבה לק֬ול שוע֗י מלכ֥י ואלה֑י כֽי־א֝ל֗יך אתפלֽל	12 7		g hqwibh lqol wvvyi mlci valohii ci-aliç atpll
4 Yahweh, morning, you will hear my voice. Morning I will arrange for you and I will be on lookout. (1-4-1)
ד יֽהו֗ה ב֭קר‬ תשמ֣ע קול֑י ב֥קר אֽערך־ל֝ך֗ ואצפֽה	8 11		d ihvh boqr twmy qoli boqr ayroç-lç vaxph
5 ♪C For not a God who delights in wickedness are you. Evil is not your guest. (C-1-4-1)
ה כ֤י ל֤א אֽל חפ֘ץ ר֥שע א֑תה ל֖א יגרך֣ רֽע	9 5		h ci la al kpx rwy ath la igurç ry
6 Boasters have no station before your eyes. You hate all workers of mischief. (1-4-1)
ו לֽא־יתיצב֣ו הֽ֭וללים לנ֣גד עינ֑יך ש֝נ֗את כל־פ֥עלי אֽון	12 9		v la-itiixbu hollim lngd yiniç wnat cl-poyli avvn
7 You will make the speakers of a lie to perish. A person of blood and deceit Yahweh will abhor. (1-2-1)
ז תאבד֮ דבר֪י כ֫ז֥ב איש־דמ֥ים ומרמ֗ה ית֘ע֥ב יהוֽה	7 11		z tabd dobri czb aiw-dmim umrmh ityb ihvh
8 But I, in your abundant mercy, will go into your house. I will worship in your holy temple in your fear. (1-4-1)
ח ואנ֗י בר֣ב ח֭סדך אב֣וא בית֑ך אשתחו֥ה אל־הֽיכל־ק֝דשך֗ ביראתֽך	13 15		k vani brob ksdç aboa bitç awtkvvh al-hicl-qodwç biratç
9 Yahweh, guide me in your righteousness on account of my watchers. Upright to my face be your way. (1-4-1)
ט יהו֤ה נח֬ני בצדקת֗ך למ֥ען שורר֑י היש֖ר לפנ֣י דרכֽך	15 8		T ihvh nkni bxdqtç lmyn worrii hiwr lpnii drcç
10 ♪C For there is no stability in its mouth. Within them calamities. An open tomb their gullet. With their tongues they divide. (C-1-2-4-1)
י כ֤י א֪ין בפ֡יהו נכונה֮ קרב֪ם ה֫ו֥ות קֽבר־פת֥וח גרונ֑ם ל֝שונ֗ם יחלֽיקון	12 8 7		i ci ain bpihu nconh qrbm hvot qbr-ptuk gronm lwonm ikliqun
11 Declare them guilty O God. Let them fall in their conspiracies. In their many transgressions banish them, for they provoked you. (1-2-4-1)
יא הֽאשימ֨ם א‍ֽלה֗ים יפלו֮ מֽמעצ֪ות֫יה֥ם בר֣ב פ֭שעיהם הדיח֑מו כי־מ֥רו בֽך	14 9 4		ia hawimm alohim iiplu mmoyxotihm brob pwyihm hdikmo ci-mru bç
12 And all those who take refuge in you will be glad. Forever they will shout for joy and you will overshadow them. And they who love your name will be elated in you. (1-4-1)
יב וישמח֨ו כל־ח֪וסי ב֡ך לעול֣ם י֭רננו ותס֣ך על֑ימו וֽיעלצ֥ו ב֝ך֗ אהב֥י שמֽך	21 12		ib viwmku cl-kosi bç lyolm irnnu vtsç ylimo viylxu bç aohbi wmç
13 For you yourself will bless a righteous one, Yahweh. As the grappling hook with acceptance you will crown him. (1-2-4-1)
יג כֽי־אתה֮ תבר֪ך צ֫ד֥יק יהו֑ה כ֝צנ֗ה רצ֥ון תעטרֽנו	8 2 9		ig ci-ath tbrç xdiq ihvh cxinh rxon tyTrnu

Psalm 12

The music in these posts is entirely derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Psalms 12: Syllables 186 Longest recitation 8 Tenor f# 27.96%

Verse 9 is so applicable to the current day, but who knows which side is which? Does reading a psalm merely confirm our prejudices? We were told we can now judge between good and evil. We'll find out tomorrow (so I better publish today) what the US will chose. For your curiosity I would vote for the one I can trust. Humanity was supposed to learn how to govern and how not to govern from the Tanach. It appears to me that the party of the right has been destroyed by its leader over the last 10 years. He himself said, if I were to run for president, I would choose them, because they are the only ones I could deceive and control effectively. (He was less polite than I just wrote.) 

I just read something on twitter that expresses how I think the poet of the psalms might behave today if not deceived.

At last someone doing the truth among the religious unrighteousness right https://t.co/368xYYAy2L

— Bob MacDonald (@drmacdonald) November 4, 2024

In my own earlier work, I pair this psalm with psalm 11 based on the verbal structures. So wicked is a frame in 11 and used once in 12; children of humanity is a frame in 12 and used once in 11. There seems to be no significant relationship in the music to the underlay of these recurrence features. They both have a tenor of f#. Perhaps I should not therefore set them to different tunings of the strings.

I read a suggestion that yl-hwminit is a reference to the 8th mode, rather than say over octaves. I don't know what to make of our ignorance and guesses when translating these poems. When it comes to study, the making of many books knows no end.

The ornament density is 10.8%, 20 in 186 syllables.

1 For the leader in the eighth mode. A psalm of David. (1-1)
א למנצ֥ח עֽל־השמינ֗ית מזמ֥ור לדוֽד	13		a lmnxk yl-hwminit mzmor ldvid
2 Save Yahweh, for obliterated is the merciful one, for vanished are the faithful among the children of humanity. (1-4-1)
ב הוש֣יעה י֭הוה כי־גמ֣ר חס֑יד כי־פ֥סו א֝מונ֗ים מבנ֥י אדֽם	10 10		b howiyh ihvh ci-gmr ksid ci-psu amunim mbni adm
3 ♪C Vanity they speak, each to his friend, lip divided, and heart from heart they speak. (C-1-2-4-1)
ג ש֤וא יֽדברו֮ א֤יש את־ר֫ע֥הו שפ֥ת חלק֑ות בל֖ב ול֣ב ידבֽרו	9 5 8		g wva idbru aiw at-riyhu wpt klqot blb vlb idbru
4 Yahweh will cut off all lips divided ... tongue speaking greatness, (1-4-1)
ד יכר֣ת י֭הוה כל־שפת֣י חלק֑ות ל֝ש֗ון מדב֥רת גדלֽות	10 9		d icrt ihvh cl-wpti klqot lwon mdbrt gdolot
5 who said, With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are ours. Who is Lord to us! (1-4-1)
ה אש֤ר אֽמר֨ו ללשנ֣נו נ֭גביר שפת֣ינו את֑נו מ֖י אד֣ון לֽנו	17 5		h awr amru llwonnu ngbir wptinu aitnu mi adon lnu
6 From the devastation of the poor, from the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise, says Yahweh, I will impose in safety. He snorts at him. (1-2-4-1)
ו מש֥ד עניים֮ מאנק֪ת אבי֫ונ֥ים עת֣ה א֭קום יאמ֣ר יהו֑ה אש֥ית ב֝י֗שע יפ֥יחֽ לֽו	11 8 9		v mwod yniim manqt abionim yth aqum iamr ihvh awit biwy ipik lo
7 The sayings of Yahweh are clean sayings, silver refined in a furnace of earth, purged seven times. (1-2-4-1)
ז אֽמר֣ות יהוה֮ אמר֪ות טה֫ר֥ות כ֣סף צ֭רוף בעל֣יל לא֑רץ מ֝זק֗ק שבעתֽים	11 10 7		z amrot ihvh amrot Thorot csf xruf bylil larx mzuqq wbytiim
8 You Yahweh you keep them. You will preserve us from this generation forever. (1-4-1)
ח אתֽה־יהו֥ה תשמר֑ם תצר֓נו מן־הד֖ור ז֣ו לעולֽם	7 10		k ath-ihvh twmrm tixrnu mn-hdor zu lyolm
9 On every side the wicked are walking, so exalted is the vileness of the children of humanity. (1-4-1)
ט סב֗יב רשע֥ים יתהלכ֑ון כר֥ם ז֝ל֗ות לבנ֥י אדֽם	9 8		T sbib rwyim ithlcun crum zulut lbni adm

Psalm 11

The music in these posts is entirely derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Psalms 11: Syllables 154 Longest recitation 10 Tenor f# 29.22%

What difference does a mode change make? This mode differs in three notes from the default mode, g# instead of g natural, C# instead of C natural. The low d is sharpened in both modes. 

There are some differences between this version and the one that Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura did by hand. Can you see the differences? This psalm like psalm 7 has examples of all accents except the shalshelet. 

Ole-veyored 4, geresh 5, revia 9, qadma 1, pazed 1, zarqa 1, tsinnor 2 illuy 1.

I am looking for a measure of ornament density in a psalm. I wonder if it would distinguish groups. Here we have 24 ornaments in 154 syllables or 15.8%. The range is from 0.5% (psalm 136) to 17.6% (psalm 117).

This psalm has a tenor of f# -- the tenor is the reciting pitch used most often in the psalm. I measure most often by counting the syllables on the pitch. The f# is like this forward slash sign / under the text. Distinguish it from the g which is like this bachward slash sign \ under the text. Because we're reading right to left, harmonically the g leads forward -- reading from right to left. The f holds back. The f (mercha), the second note of the scale, is a cadence point after an ole -- holding back -- pending -- not really at rest. The f is also a note in the scale leading to g (as in verse 5), or e (as in versea 2 and 7). The f may be part of the phrase leading to a mid-point rest or back to the tonic. Here its hold-back function is pending rather that explicit. I note this 'memory aid' to help distinguish these two similar signs since I found them hard to remember when just reading the Hebrew text.

1 For the leader. Of David. In Yahweh I take refuge. How do you say to me, Flit away to your mountain, bird? (1-2-4-1)
א למנצ֗ח לד֫ו֥ד בֽיהו֨ה חס֗יתי א֭יך תאמר֣ו לנפש֑י נ֝֗ודי הרכ֥ם צפֽור	7 11 6		a lmnxk ldvid bihvh ksiti aiç tamru lnpwi nudi hrcm xipor
2 ♪C For behold: the wicked. They direct a bow. They prepare their arrows on the bow-string, to shoot in gloom at the upright of heart. (C-1-4-1)
ב כ֤י הנ֪ה הרשע֡ים ידרכ֬ון ק֗שת כוננ֣ו חצ֣ם על־י֑תר ליר֥ות במו־א֝֗פל לישרי־לֽב	18 9		b ci hnh hrwyim idrcun qwt connu kixm yl-itr lirot bmo-aopl liwri-lb
3 ♪B For the fundamentals are overthrown. How does a righteous one work? (B-1-4-1)
ג כ֣י ה֭שתות יֽהרס֑ון צ֝ד֗יק מה־פעֽל	8 5		g ci hwtot iihrsun xdiq mh-pyl
4 Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh in the heavens his throne. His eyes gaze on, His eyelids test the children of humanity. (1-2-4-1)
ד יהו֤ה בֽה֘יכ֤ל קדש֗ו יהוה֮ בשמ֪ים כ֫סא֥ו עינ֥יו יחז֑ו עפעפ֥יו י֝בחנ֗ו בנ֣י אדֽם	14 5 10		d ihvh bhicl qodwo ihvh bwmiim cisao yiniv ikzu ypypiv ibknu bni adm
5 Yahweh will test a righteous one, but the wicked and lover of violence ... he hates. (1-2-4-1)
ה יהוה֮ צד֪יק י֫בח֥ן ו֭רשע ואה֣ב חמ֑ס שֽנא֥ה נפשֽו	6 8 4		h ihvh xdiq ibkn vrwy vaohb kms wnah npwo
6 He rains snares on the wicked. Fire and pitch and ferocious wind are the portion of their cup. (1-2-1)
ו ימט֥ר על־רשע֗ים פ֫ח֥ים א֣ש ו֭גפרית ור֥וח זלעפ֗ות מנ֣ת כוסֽם	8 14		v imTr yl-rwyim pkim aw vgoprit vruk zlypot mnt cosm
7 For Yahweh is a righteous one. He loves righteousness. His faces gaze on the upright. (1-4-1)
ז כֽי־צד֣יק י֭הוה צדק֣ות אה֑ב י֝ש֗ר יחז֥ו פנֽימו	9 8		z ci-xdiq ihvh xdqot ahb iwr ikzu pnimo

Psalm 136

The music in these posts is entirely derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Psalms 136: Syllables 400 Longest recitation 7 Tenor g 42.25%

Here's a psalm where you can easily memorize the accents under the text.

Let's start with the refrain. - Try translating that in 6 syllables. I think for evermore is his kindness is the best I can do -- so I will change what I have written because forever .... It is to say the least a-rhythmic! Now note the three accents: 

• the first (rightmost) is tifha -- always a g, the third note of the scale, in both poetry and prose. Note reading right to left how tifha slopes up to the left -- it carries the harmonic sense of going forward.
• And the second accent on the lm of lyolm. This is always a B. 
• and the last syllable of the verse is the silluq, the tonic, always an e. 

The lower accents never change their mapping in any verse to the notes of the scale.

כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו

Every chorus follows the mid-verse cadence on the atnah, A, the subdominant, the fourth note/pitch/degree of the scale. You can see the ^ below the text at the line feed in each verse. As in the first verse on ט֑וב

Except for the two C's and the ornament, you now have all the notes required to sing the whole psalm. You need to be able to sing these intervals:

• a fifth from e to B
• and a third down from B to g
• and a second down from B to A
• and a second down from A to g
• and a third up from g to B
• and a fifth down from B to e.

If you have never sung before then ask a friend (or an enemy) to help. Remember the pitch as you sing it. Keep on singing at that pitch until you reach a syllable with a new sign, and come back to the same pitch when you encounter the same sign under the text.

Notice the paucity of ornaments. 0.5%, 2 zarqa in verses 4 לע֘ש֤ה and 15 ונ֘ע֤ר only. Each time the ornament highlights the approach to the mahpakh.

Here you sing the turn and leap to the high C. Then stay on the high C till you meet the next pitch which you will recognize as the same B you are comfortable with.

1 Give thanks to Yahweh because it is good, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
א הוד֣ו ליהו֣ה כי־ט֑וב כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	6 6		a hodu lihvh ci-Tob ci lyolm ksdo
2 ♪g Give thanks to the God of gods, because forever is his kindness. (g-1-4-1)
ב ה֭ודו לֽאלה֣י האלה֑ים כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		b hodu lalohi halohim ci lyolm ksdo
3 ♪g Give thanks to the Lord of lords, because forever is his kindness, (g-1-4-1)
ג ה֭ודו לאדנ֣י האדנ֑ים כ֖י לעל֣ם חסדֽו	10 6		g hodu ladoni hadonim ci lyolm ksdo
4 For doing great wonders alone, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
ד לע֘ש֤ה נפלא֣ות גדל֣ות לבד֑ו כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	12 6		d lyowh nplaot gdolot lbdo ci lyolm ksdo
5 For making the heavens with understanding, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
ה לעש֣ה ה֭שמים בתבונ֑ה כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		h lyowh hwmiim btbunh ci lyolm ksdo
6 For expanding the earth over the waters, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
ו לרק֣ע ה֭ארץ על־המ֑ים כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	10 6		v lroqy harx yl-hmim ci lyolm ksdo
7 ♪g for making the great lights, because forever is his kindness. (g-1-4-1)
ז ל֭עשה אור֣ים גדל֑ים כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	8 6		z lyowh aorim gdolim ci lyolm ksdo
8 Even the sun to govern by day, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
ח את־ה֭שמש לממש֣לת בי֑ום כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	10 6		k at-hwmw lmmwlt biom ci lyolm ksdo
9 Even the moon and stars to govern by night, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
ט את־היר֣ח ו֭כוכבים לממשל֣ות בל֑ילה כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	16 6		T at-hirk vcocbim lmmwlot blilh ci lyolm ksdo
10 For striking the firstborn of Egypt, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
י למכ֣ה מ֭צרים בבכוריה֑ם כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		i lmch mxriim bbcorihm ci lyolm ksdo
11 And he brought Israel out from their midst, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
יא ויוצ֣א י֭שראל מתוכ֑ם כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		ia vioxa iwral mtocm ci lyolm ksdo
12 With a courageous hand and by an arm stretched out, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
יב בי֣ד ח֭זקה ובזר֣וע נטוי֑ה כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	12 6		ib bid kzqh ubzroy nTuih ci lyolm ksdo
13 For parting the sea of reeds into parts, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
יג לגז֣ר ים־ס֭וף לגזר֑ים כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	8 6		ig lgozr im-suf lgzrim ci lyolm ksdo
14 And made Israel pass through in the midst of it, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
יד והעב֣יר ישרא֣ל בתוכ֑ו כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	10 6		id vhybir iwral btoco ci lyolm ksdo
15 And tossed Pharaoh and his force into the sea of reeds, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
טו ונ֘ע֤ר פרע֣ה וחיל֣ו בים־ס֑וף כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	11 6		Tv vniyr pryh vkilo bim-suf ci lyolm ksdo
16 For walking with his people in the wilderness, because forever is his kindness, (1-4-1)
טז למול֣יך ע֭מו במדב֑ר כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	8 6		Tz lmoliç ymo bmdbr ci lyolm ksdo
17 ♪g and he struck great kings, because forever is his kindness, (g-1-4-1)
יז ל֭מכה מלכ֣ים גדל֑ים כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		iz lmch mlcim gdolim ci lyolm ksdo
18 ♪g and he slew majestic kings, because forever is his kindness, (g-1-4-1)
יח וֽ֭יהרג מלכ֣ים אדיר֑ים כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	10 6		ik vihrog mlcim adirim ci lyolm ksdo
19 ♪g so Sihon, king of the Amorites, because forever is his kindness, (g-1-4-1)
יט ל֭סיחון מ֣לך האמר֑י כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		iT lsikon mlç hamori ci lyolm ksdo
20 ♪g and so Og, king of fruitful Bashan, because forever is his kindness. (g-1-4-1)
כ ו֭לעוג מ֣לך הבש֑ן כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	7 6		c ulyog mlç hbwn ci lyolm ksdo
21 And gave their lands as inheritance, because forever is his kindness, (1-4-1)
כא ונת֣ן ארצ֣ם לנחל֑ה כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		ca vntn arxm lnklh ci lyolm ksdo
22 ♪g the inheritance of Israel his servant, because forever is his kindness, (g-1-4-1)
כב נ֭חלה לישרא֣ל עבד֑ו כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		cb nklh liwral ybdo ci lyolm ksdo
23 ♪g our abasement he remembered for us, because forever is his kindness. (g-1-4-1)
כג ש֭בשפלנו ז֣כר ל֑נו כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	8 6		cg wbwplnu zcr lnu ci lyolm ksdo
24 And rends us from our troubles, because forever is his kindness. (1-4-1)
כד ויפרק֥נו מצר֑ינו כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	9 6		cd viprqnu mxrinu ci lyolm ksdo
25 Giving bread to all flesh, because forever is his kindness, (1-4-1)
כה נת֣ן ל֭חם לכל־בש֑ר כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	8 6		ch notn lkm lcl-bwr ci lyolm ksdo
26 ♪g give thanks to the God of Heaven, because forever is his kindness. (g-1-4-1)
כו ה֭ודו לא֣ל השמ֑ים כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו	8 6		cv hodu lal hwmiim ci lyolm ksdo