Sunday 10 November 2024

Psalm 106

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 106: Syllables: 880; Longest recitation: 15; Tenor: A 27.27%;
Ornament density: 12%; Average phrase length: 9.1.

I have not yet noticed any verse beginning with revia, verse 2. In fact, in the Tanach there are 117 such verses -- 19 of them are in the psalms. We have seen many verses that begin with zarqa. It turns out they all begin with zarqa followed by C. And this motif is confined to the poetry. (See verse 38 note below.) Consider these and ask why? 

In which bar(s) is the longest recitation?

The accents of bar 60 (verse 13) are confirmed and corrected from the Aleppo codex. This correction along with additional correction in verse 24, accentuated the note of rest (A) as the tenor. This psalm is not a lament, but a statement of the facts on the ground. They, God's people, swiftly forgot his deeds. There is no difficulty applying this truth today.

In verse 38 there is a confirmed silluq on the first syllable of bar 173. Compare verse 37 and note the word painting on their. In both verses the tessitura is low except for the sudden zarqa-C. Compare Psalm 144 verse 12 where the tone is positive rather than painful.

1 Hallelu Yah. Give thanks to Yahweh for it is good.
For his kindness is forever. (1-4-1)
א הֽללו־י֨ה הוד֣ו ליהו֣ה כי־ט֑וב
כ֖י לעול֣ם חסדֽו
9
6
a hllu-ih hodu lihvh ci-Tob
ci lyolm ksdo
2 ♪~ Who will make a speech about the valour of Yahweh,
or make all his praise be heard? (~1-4-1)
ב מ֗י י֭מלל גבור֣ות יהו֑ה
י֝שמ֗יע כל־תהלתֽו
9
8
b mi imll gburot ihvh
iwmiy cl-thilto
3 ♪g Happy those keeping judgment,
doing righteousness at all times. (g-1-4-1)
ג א֭שרי שמר֣י משפ֑ט
עש֖ה צדק֣ה בכל־עֽת
6
8
g awri womri mwpT
yowh xdqh bcl-yt
4 Remember me Yahweh in the acceptance of your people.
Visit me in your salvation. (1-4-1)
ד זכר֣ני י֭הוה ברצ֣ון עמ֑ך
פ֝קד֗ני בישועתֽך
10
8
d zocrni ihvh brxon ymç
poqdni biwuytç
5 To see the good of your chosen, to be glad in the gladness of your nation,
to praise with your inheritance. (1-4-1)
ה לרא֤ות בט֘וב֤ת בחיר֗יך ל֭שמח בשמח֣ת גוי֑ך
ל֝התהל֗ל עם־נחלתֽך
18
10
h lraot bTobt bkiriç lwmok bwmkt goiiç
lhthll ym-nkltç
6 We have sinned with our ancestors. We have been perverse. We are wicked. (1-1)
ו חט֥אנו עם־אבות֗ינו העו֥ינו הרשֽענו 15
v kTanu ym-abotinu hyvvinu hrwynu
7 Our ancestors in Egypt did not have insight into your wonders. They did not remember your many kindnesses,
but they were provocative over the sea, at that sea of reeds. (1-4-1)
ז אב֘ות֤ינו במצר֨ים לא־השכ֬ילו נפלאות֗יך ל֣א ז֭כרו את־ר֣ב חסד֑יך
וימר֖ו על־י֣ם בים־סֽוף
25
8
z abotinu bmxriim la-hwcilu nplaotiç la zcru at-rob ksdiç
vimru yl-im bim-suf
8 ♪g But he saved them for the sake of his name,
to make known his valour. (g-1-4-1)
ח וֽ֭יושיעם למ֣ען שמ֑ו
ל֝הוד֗יע את־גבורתֽו
9
9
k viowiym lmyn wmo
lhodiy at-gburto
9 And he rebuked the sea of reeds and it became as desert,
and he led them in the abysses as in the wilderness. (1-4-1)
ט ויגע֣ר בים־ס֭וף וֽיחר֑ב
ויוליכ֥ם ב֝תהמ֗ות כמדבֽר
10
10
T vigyr bim-suf vikrb
violicm bthomot cmdbr
10 ♪g And he saved them from the hand of hatred,
and he redeemed them from the hand of an enemy. (g-1-4-1)
י וֽ֭יושיעם מי֣ד שונ֑א
ו֝יגאל֗ם מי֥ד אויֽב
8
8
i viowiym mid wona
vigalm mid aoib
11 And the waters covered their foes,
not one of them left. (1-4-1)
יא ויכסו־מ֥ים צריה֑ם
אח֥ד מ֝ה֗ם ל֣א נותֽר
7
7
ia vicsu-mim xrihm
akd mhm la notr
12 And they believed his words.
They sang his praise. (1-4-1)
יב ויאמ֥ינו בדבר֑יו
י֝ש֗ירו תהלתֽו
8
7
ib viaminu bdbriv
iwiru thilto

13 ♪g They swiftly forgot his deeds.
They did not tarry for his counsel. (g-1-4-1)
יג מֽ֭הרו שכח֣ו מעש֑יו
לֽא־ח֝כ֗ו לעצתֽו
8
6
ig mihru wcku mywiv
la-kicu lyxto
14 But they desired intensely in the wilderness,
and tempted God in a wasteland. (1-4-1)
יד ויתאו֣ו ת֭אוה במדב֑ר
וינסו־א֝֗ל בֽישימֽון
10
7
id vitavu tavvh bmdbr
vinsu-al biwimon
15 And he gave them their requests,
but he sent leanness to their being. (1-4-1)
טו וית֣ן ל֭הם שאלת֑ם
וישל֖ח רז֣ון בנפשֽם
9
8
Tv viitn lhm waltm
viwlk rzon bnpwm
16 And they were jealous of Moses in the camp,
of Aaron, holy of Yahweh. (1-4-1)
טז ויקנא֣ו ל֭משה בֽמחנ֑ה
ל֝אהר֗ן קד֣וש יהוֽה
10
8
Tz viqnau lmwh bmknh
lahron qdow ihvh
17 The land opened and swallowed Dathan,
and covered over the assembly of Abiram. (1-4-1)
יז תפתח־א֭רץ ותבל֣ע דת֑ן
ו֝תכ֗ס על־עד֥ת אבירֽם
9
8
iz tptk-arx vtbly dtn
vtcs yl-ydt abirm
18 And a fire was kindled in their assembly.
Flame blazed the wicked. (1-4-1)
יח ותבער־א֥ש בעדת֑ם
ל֝הב֗ה תלה֥ט רשעֽים
8
9
ik vtbyr-aw bydtm
lhbh tlhT rwyim
19 They made a calf in Horeb,
and they worshiped before the molten metal. (1-4-1)
יט יעשו־ע֥גל בחר֑ב
ו֝ישתחו֗ו למסכֽה
7
9
iT iywu-ygl bkorb
viwtkvu lmsch
20 And they exchanged their glory,
into the shape of a bull eating field-grass. (1-4-1)
כ וימ֥ירו את־כבוד֑ם
בתבנ֥ית ש֝֗ור אכ֥ל עֽשב
8
8
c vimiru at-cbodm
btbnit wor aocl ywb
21 ♪g They forgot God their Saviour,
doing great things in Egypt, (g-1-4-1)
כא ש֭כחו א֣ל מושיע֑ם
עש֖ה גדל֣ות במצרֽים
6
9
ca wcku al mowiym
yowh gdolot bmxriim
22 ♪g wonderful things in the land of Ham,
fearful things at the sea of reeds. (g-1-4-1)
כב נ֭פלאות בא֣רץ ח֑ם
נ֝ורא֗ות על־ים־סֽוף
7
6
cb nplaot barx km
noraot yl-im-suf
23 And he promised to exterminate them,
unless Moses his chosen had stood in the breach in his presence,
to turn away his heat to destroy. (1-2-4-1)
כג וי֗אמר לֽהשמ֫יד֥ם
לול֡י מ֘ש֤ה בחיר֗ו עמ֣ד בפ֣רץ לפנ֑יו
להש֥יב ח֝מת֗ו מֽהשחֽית
7
15
9
cg viamr lhwmidm
luli mwh bkiro ymd bprx lpniv
lhwib kmto mhwkit
24 ♪g And they refused in an attractive land.
They did not believe his word. (g-1-4-1)
כד וֽ֭ימאסו בא֣רץ חמד֑ה
לֽא־ה֝אמ֗ינו לדברֽו
9
7
cd vimasu barx kmdh
la-haminu ldbro
25 And they nattered in their tents.
They did not hear with the voice of Yahweh. (1-4-1)
כה וירגנ֥ו באהליה֑ם
ל֥א ש֝מע֗ו בק֣ול יהוֽה
9
7
ch viirgnu baohlihm
la wmyu bqol ihvh         

26 And he lifted up his hand against them,
to let them fall in the wilderness, (1-4-1)
כו ויש֣א יד֣ו לה֑ם
להפ֥יל א֝ות֗ם במדבֽר
7
8
cv viiwa ido lhm
lhpil aotm bmdbr
27 to let their seed fall among the nations,
and to sift them in the lands. (1-4-1)
כז ולהפ֣יל ז֭רעם בגוי֑ם
ו֝לזרות֗ם בארצֽות
8
8
cz ulhpil zrym bgoiim
ulzrotm barxot
28 ♪g And they coupled themselves to Baal-Peor,
and they ate the offerings of the dead. (g-1-4-1)
כח ו֭יצ֣מדו לב֣על פע֑ור
ו֝יאכל֗ו זבח֥י מתֽים
9
7
ck viixmdu lbyl pyor
viaclu zbki mtim
29 ♪g and they grieved him with their wantonness,
and a plague broke out among them. (g-1-4-1)
כט ו֭יכעיסו במֽעלליה֑ם
ותפרץ־ב֝֗ם מגפֽה
9
7
cT vicyisu bmyllihm
vtprox-bm mgph
30 And Phineas stood up and interceded,
and the plague was contained. (1-4-1)
ל ויעמ֣ד פֽ֭ינחס ויפל֑ל
ו֝תעצ֗ר המגפֽה
9
8
l viymod pinks vipll
vtiyxr hmgph
31 And it was reckoned for him as righteousness,
from generation to generation for evermore. (1-4-1)
לא ותח֣שב ל֭ו לצדק֑ה
לד֥ר ו֝ד֗ר עד־עולֽם
8
7
la vtikwb lo lxdqh
ldor vdor yd-yolm
32 ♪g And they raged at the waters of Meribah,
and it drew the curtain for Moses on their behalf. (g-1-4-1)
לב ו֭יקציפו על־מ֥י מריב֑ה
וי֥רע ל֝מש֗ה בעבורֽם
9
10
lb viqxipu yl-mi mribh
viiry lmwh byburm
33 For they provoked his spirit,
and he spoke rashly with his lips. (1-4-1)
לג כֽי־המר֥ו את־רוח֑ו
ו֝יבט֗א בשפתֽיו
6
6
lg ci-hmru at-ruko
vibTa bwptiv
34 They did not exterminate the peoples,
as Yahweh had said to them. (1-4-1)
לד לֽא־ה֭שמידו את־הֽעמ֑ים
אש֤ר אמ֖ר יהו֣ה להֽם
8
8
ld la-hwmidu at-hymim
awr amr ihvh lhm
35 But they intermingled with the nations,
and they learned their deeds. (1-4-1)
לה ויתערב֥ו בגוי֑ם
וֽ֝ילמד֗ו מֽעשיהֽם
7
8
lh vityrbu bgoiim
vilmdu mywihm
36 And they served their idols,
and they became a trap to them. (1-4-1)
לו ויעבד֥ו את־עצביה֑ם
ויהי֖ו לה֣ם למוקֽש
9
8
lv viybdu at-yxbihm
vihiu lhm lmoqw
37 Then they offered their sons and their daughters to demons. (1-1)
לז ויזבח֣ו את־ב֭ניהם ואת־בנֽותיה֗ם לשֽדים 17
lz vizbku at-bnihm vat-bnotihm lwdim
38 And poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and their daughters, which they offered to idols of Canaan,
and polluted the land with blood. (1-4-1)
לח ויֽשפכ֨ו ד֪ם נק֡י דם־בנ֘יה֤ם וֽבנותיה֗ם אש֣ר ז֭בחו לעצב֣י כנ֑ען
ותחנ֥ף ה֝א֗רץ בדמֽים
26
10
lk viwpcu dm nqi dm-bnihm ubnotihm awr zibku lyxbi cnyn
vtknf harx bdmim
39 And they became unclean through their own deeds,
and prostituted themselves through their own wantonness. (1-4-1)
לט ויטמא֥ו במעשיה֑ם
ו֝יזנו֗ במֽעלליהֽם
9
8
lT viTmau bmywihm
viznu bmyllihm
40 And the anger of Yahweh burned against his people,
and he abhorred his inheritance. (1-4-1)
מ ויֽחר־א֣ף יהו֣ה בעמ֑ו
ו֝יתע֗ב את־נחלתֽו
9
8
m viikr-af ihvh bymo
vityb at-nklto
41 And he gave them into the hand of the nations,
and those hating them governed them. (1-4-1)
מא ויתנ֥ם ביד־גוי֑ם
וֽימשל֥ו ב֝ה֗ם שנאיהֽם
7
9
ma viitnm bid-goiim
vimwlu bhm wonaihm
42 And their enemies gripped them,
and they were brought to heel under their hand. (1-4-1)
מב וילחצ֥ום אויביה֑ם
ו֝יכנע֗ו ת֣חת ידֽם
7
8
mb vilkxum aoibihm
viicnyu tkt idm
43 Time after time he delivered them,
but they were provocative with their counsel,
and they were diminished in their iniquity. (1-2-4-1)
מג פעמ֥ים רב֗ות יצ֫יל֥ם
ו֭המה ימר֣ו בעצת֑ם
ו֝ימ֗כו בעונֽם
8
9
8
mg pymim rbot ixilm
vhmh imru byxtm
vimocu byvonm
44 ♪g But he saw their trouble,
when he heard their shout, (g-1-4-1)
מד ו֭ירא בצ֣ר לה֑ם
ב֝שמע֗ו את־רנתֽם
6
7
md vira bxr lhm
bwomyo at-rintm
45 and he remembered his covenant with them,
and he showed pity for his many kindnesses. (1-4-1)
מה ויזכ֣ר לה֣ם ברית֑ו
ו֝ינח֗ם כר֣ב חסדֽיו
8
9
mh vizcor lhm brito
viinkm crob ksdiv
46 And he demonstrated compassion for them,
in the presence of all who carried them away. (1-4-1)
מו וית֣ן אות֣ם לרחמ֑ים
ל֝פנ֗י כל־שוביהֽם
9
6
mv viitn aotm lrkmim
lpni cl-wobihm
47 Save us Yahweh our God, and collect us from the nations,
to give thanks to your holy name,
to commend your praises. (1-2-4-1)
מז הושיע֨נו יה֘ו֤ה אלה֗ינו וקבצנו֮ מֽן־הג֫וי֥ם
ל֭הדות לש֣ם קדש֑ך
ל֝השתב֗ח בתהלתֽך
18
8
10
mz howiynu ihvh alohinu vqbxnu mn-hgoiim
lhodot lwm qodwç
lhwtbk bthilotiç
48 Bless Yahweh the God of Israel from the everlasting and unto the everlasting and let all the people say, Amen. Hallelu Yah. (1-1)
מח בר֤וך יהו֨ה אלה֪י ישרא֡ל מן־ה֤עול֨ם וע֬ד העול֗ם ואמ֖ר כל־הע֥ם אמ֗ן הֽללו־יֽה 30
mk bruç ihvh alohi iwral mn-hyolm vyd hyolm vamr cl-hym amn hllu-ih         

Psalm 113

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 113: Syllables: 136; Longest recitation: 12; Tenor: e 27.21%;
Ornament density: 9.8%; Average phrase length: 7.8. Performance by Esther Lamandier here.

This is one of the psalms that I set using the above musical phrases in Unleashing Leviathan, Day 3. It works as a chorale. See this video for a mechanical performance. Esther Lamandier's performance is from the 19th century Letteris edition of the Hebrew text and is beautiful, but the notes are not entirely in agreement with the above music.

1 ♪f Hallelu Yah. Praise servants of Yahweh.
Praise the name of Yahweh. (~1-4-1)
א ה֥ללו־י֨ה ה֭ללו עבד֣י יהו֑ה
הֽ֝ללו את־ש֥ם יהוֽה
9
6
a hllu-ih hllu ybdi ihvh
hllu at-wm ihvh
2 Let the name of Yahweh be a blessing,
from now and unto everlasting. (1-4-1)
ב יה֤י ש֣ם יהו֣ה מבר֑ך
מֽ֝עת֗ה ועד־עולֽם
8
7
b ihi wm ihvh mborç
myth vyd-yolm
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down,
the name of Yahweh is to be praised. (1-4-1)
ג ממזרח־ש֥מש עד־מבוא֑ו
מ֝הל֗ל ש֣ם יהוֽה
9
6
g mmzrk-wmw yd-mboao
mhull wm ihvh
4 ♪g Exalted above all nations Yahweh,
above the heavens his glory. (g-1-4-1)
ד ר֖ם על־כל־גוי֥ם יהו֑ה
ע֖ל השמ֣ים כבודֽו
7
7
d rm yl-cl-goiim ihvh
yl hwmiim cbodo
5 ♪g Who is like Yahweh our God,
sitting high and lofty? (g-1-4-1)
ה מ֭י כיהו֣ה אלה֑ינו
הֽמגביה֥י לשֽבת
7
7
h mi cihvh alohinu
hmgbihi lwbt
6 humbling himself to see,
in the heavens and on the earth? (1-4-1)
ו הֽמשפיל֥י לרא֑ות
בשמ֥ים ובאֽרץ
6
7
v hmwpili lraot
bwmiim ubarx
7 raising from dust, the weak,
from the dump, exalting the needy, (1-4-1)
ז מקֽימ֣י מעפ֣ר ד֑ל
מֽ֝אשפ֗ת יר֥ים אביֽון
7
7
z mqimi mypr dl
mawpot irim abion
8 to make him sit with princes,
with the princes of his people? (1-4-1)
ח להושיב֥י עם־נדיב֑ים
ע֝֗ם נדיב֥י עמֽו
8
6
k lhowibi ym-ndibim
ym ndibi ymo
9 who seats the barren in a house, a glad mother of children? Hallelu Yah. (1-1)
ט מֽושיב֨י עק֬רת הב֗ית אֽם־הבנ֥ים שמח֗ה הֽללו־יֽה 19
T mowibi yqrt hbit am-hbnim wmkh hllu-ih

Saturday 9 November 2024

Psalm 115

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 115: Syllables: 314; Longest recitation: 8; Tenor: g 23.89%;
Ornament density: 10.6%; Average phrase length: 8.2. Performance by Esther Lamandier here.

I see that the descending triad B g e survived the comparison with the Aleppo codex in verse 17. Where, I wonder, is the earlier copy of this text? I wonder if there was one such as I am presenting here - consonants and cantillation without vowels.

Note the almost attacca beginning. This psalm is sometimes presented with the previous psalm as a single psalm. As observed in 116 the three psalms belong together. The exodus journey belongs both to the people and also to the individual. No one can say, we did this ourselves.

1 ♪C Not to us Yahweh not to us,
but to your name give glory,
over your kindness, over your truth. (C-1-2-4-1)
א ל֤א ל֥נו יהו֗ה ל֫א־ל֥נו
כֽי־ל֭שמך ת֣ן כב֑וד
על־ח֝סדך֗ על־אמתֽך
7
7
9
a la lnu ihvh la-lnu
ci-lwmç tn cbod
yl-ksdç yl-amitç
2 ♪g Why should the nations say,
Where pray tell is their God? (g-1-4-1)
ב ל֭מה יאמר֣ו הגוי֑ם
איה־נ֝֗א אלהיהֽם
7
7
b lmh iamru hgoiim
aih-na alohihm
3 But our God is in the heavens.
All that he delighted in, he did. (1-4-1)
ג וֽאלה֥ינו בשמ֑ים
כ֭ל אשר־חפ֣ץ עשֽה
8
7
g valohinu bwmiim
col awr-kpx ywh
4 ♪g Their idols are silver and gold,
a deed of the hands of a human. (g-1-4-1)
ד ע‍ֽ֭צביהם כ֣סף וזה֑ב
מ֝עש֗ה יד֣י אדֽם
8
7
d yxbihm csf vzhb
mywh idi adm
5 Mouth they have and speak not.
Eyes they have and see not. (1-4-1)
ה פֽה־ל֭הם ול֣א ידב֑רו
עינ֥ים ל֝ה֗ם ול֣א יראֽו
9
8
h ph-lhm vla idbru
yiniim lhm vla irau
6 Ears they have and hear not.
Nose they have and smell not. (1-4-1)
ו אזנ֣ים ל֭הם ול֣א ישמ֑עו
א֥ף ל֝ה֗ם ול֣א יריחֽון
9
8
v aozniim lhm vla iwmyu
af lhm vla irikun
7 Their hands and they feel not, their feet and they walk not,
nor do they mutter through their gullet. (1-4-1)
ז ידיה֤ם ול֬א ימיש֗ון ר֭גליהם ול֣א יהל֑כו
לֽא־י֝הג֗ו בגרונֽם
17
6
z idihm vla imiwun rglihm vla ihlcu
la-ihgu bgronm
8 ♪g Like them their makers will become,
all who trust in them. (g-1-4-1)
ח כ֭מוהם יהי֣ו עשיה֑ם
כ֭ל אשר־בט֣ח בהֽם
8
8
k cmohm ihiu yowihm
col awr-boTk bhm
9 ♪g Israel, trust in Yahweh.
Their help and their shield is he. (g-1-4-1)
ט י֭שראל בט֣ח ביהו֑ה
עזר֖ם ומגנ֣ם הֽוא
7
7
T iwral bTk bihvh
yzrm umginm hua
10 ♪B House of Aaron, trust in Yahweh.
Their help and their shield is he. (B-1-4-1)
י ב֣ית א֭הרן בטח֣ו ביהו֑ה
עזר֖ם ומגנ֣ם הֽוא
8
7
i bit ahron bTku bihvh
yzrm umginm hua
11 You who fear Yahweh, trust in Yahweh.
Their help and their shield is he. (1-4-1)
יא ירא֣י י֭הוה בטח֣ו ביהו֑ה
עזר֖ם ומגנ֣ם הֽוא
8
7
ia irai ihvh bTku bihvh
yzrm umginm hua
12 Yahweh remembers us - he will bless.
He will bless the house of Israel.
He will bless the house of Aaron. (1-2-4-1)
יב יהוה֮ זכר֪נו יב֫ר֥ך
י֭ברך את־ב֣ית ישרא֑ל
י֝בר֗ך את־ב֥ית אהרֽן
9
8
8
ib ihvh zcrnu ibrç
ibrç at-bit iwral
ibrç at-bit ahron
13 ♪g He will bless those who fear Yahweh,
tiny with great. (g-1-4-1)
יג י֭ברך ירא֣י יהו֑ה
ה֝קטנ֗ים עם־הגדלֽים
7
7
ig ibrç irai ihvh
hqTnim ym-hgdolim
14 Yahweh will add to you,
to you and to your children. (1-4-1)
יד יס֣ף יהו֣ה עליכ֑ם
ע֝ליכ֗ם ועל־בניכֽם
7
8
id iosf ihvh ylicm
ylicm vyl-bnicm
15 You are the blessed of Yahweh,
who makes heaven and earth. (1-4-1)
טו ברוכ֣ים א֭תם ליהו֑ה
ע֝ש֗ה שמ֥ים ואֽרץ
7
7
Tv brucim atm lihvh
yowh wmiim varx
16 The heavens' heavens belong to Yahweh,
and the earth he has given to the children of humanity. (1-4-1)
טז השמ֣ים ש֭מים ליהו֑ה
ו֝הא֗רץ נת֥ן לבני־אדֽם
7
9
Tz hwmiim wmiim lihvh
vharx ntn lbni-adm
17 ♪B The dead will not praise Yah,
nor all who go down mute. (B-1-4-1)
יז ל֣א ה֭מתים יהֽללו־י֑ה
ו֝ל֗א כל־ירד֥י דומֽה
8
7
iz la hmtim ihllu-ih
vla cl-iordi dumh
18 But we, we will bless Yah, from now and unto everlasting. Hallelu Yah. (1-1)
יח ואנ֤חנו נב֘ר֤ך י֗ה מֽעת֥ה ועד־עול֗ם הֽללו־יֽה 18
ik vanknu nbrç ih myth vyd-yolm hllu-ih

Psalm 116

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 116: Syllables: 302; Longest recitation: 12; Tenor: A 22.85%;
Ornament density: 8.6%; Average phrase length: 7.7.

Psalms 114 to 116 are all connected by the first note. Given the importance of Psalm 114 (In exitu Israel), and the corporate realization of 115 (Non nobis Domine) about 114, this individual aria , 116 Dilexi, completes the series. You will find I set a few verses of this for a soloist with verse 5 as a chorus. Listen to the sixth day of Unleashing Leviathan.

Note the first verse. The Latin has the right idea. (Dilexi, quoniam exaudiet Dominus vocem orationis meæ.) Th psalm opens on the third note of the scale with א֭הבתי ahbti - just plain I love. The verb has no direct object in the Hebrew.

1 ♪g I love, for Yahweh heard,
the voice of my supplication. (g-1-4-1)
א א֭הבתי כֽי־ישמ֥ע יהו֑ה
את־ק֝ול֗י תחנונֽי
8
7
a ahbti ci-iwmy ihvh
at-qoli tknunii
2 For he bent his ear to me,
and in my days I will call. (1-4-1)
ב כֽי־הט֣ה אזנ֣ו ל֑י
ובימ֥י אקרֽא
6
5
b ci-hTh aozno li
ubimii aqra
3 The pangs of death enveloped me and anguish of Sheol found me.
Trouble and sadness I find. (1-4-1)
ג אפפ֤וני חבלי־מ֗ות ומצר֣י שא֣ול מצא֑וני
צר֖ה ויג֣ון אמצֽא
16
7
g appuni kbli-mvvt umxri waol mxauni
xrh vigon amxa
4 So in the name of Yahweh I will call,
beseeching, Yahweh, make an escape for my being. (1-4-1)
ד ובשֽם־יהו֥ה אקר֑א
אנ֥ה י֝הו֗ה מלט֥ה נפשֽי
6
8
d ubwm-ihvh aqra
anh ihvh mlTh npwi
5 Gracious is Yahweh and righteous,
and our God is compassionate. (1-4-1)
ה חנ֣ון יהו֣ה וצד֑יק
ו֖אלה֣ינו מרחֽם
8
7
h knun ihvh vxdiq
valohinu mrkm
6 Yahweh keeps the simple.
I was brought low and me he saves. (1-4-1)
ו שמ֣ר פתאי֣ם יהו֑ה
ד֝לות֗י ול֣י יהושֽיע
8
9
v womr ptiim ihvh
dloti vli ihowiy
7 Return, O my being, to your rest,
for Yahweh has matured you. (1-4-1)
ז שוב֣י נ֭פשי למנוח֑יכי
כֽי־י֝הו֗ה גמ֥ל עלֽיכי
8
8
z wubi npwi lmnukiici
ci-ihvh gml yliici
8 ♪C For he rescued my being from death,
my eyes from tears,
my foot from tripping. (C-1-2-4-1)
ח כ֤י חל֥צת נפש֗י מ֫מ֥ות
את־עינ֥י מן־דמע֑ה
את־רגל֥י מדֽחי
9
6
6
k ci kilxt npwi mmvvt
at-yini mn-dmyh
at-rgli mdki
9 ♪g I will walk in the presence of Yahweh,
in the lands of the living. (g-1-4-1)
ט א֭תהלך לפנ֣י יהו֑ה
ב֝ארצ֗ות הֽחיֽים
7
6
T athlç lpni ihvh
barxot hkiim
10 ♪g I believed so I spoke.
I myself was much afflicted. (g-1-4-1)
י ה֭אמנתי כ֣י אדב֑ר
א֝נ֗י ענ֥יתי מאֽד
8
7
i hamnti ci adbr
ani yniti maod
11 ♪g I myself said in my haste,
Every human lies. (g-1-4-1)
יא א֭ני אמ֣רתי בחפז֑י
כֽל־האד֥ם כזֽב
8
6
ia ani amrti bkopzi
cl-hadm cozb
12 What will I return to Yahweh,
for all his benefits to me? (1-4-1)
יב מֽה־אש֥יב ליהו֑ה
כֽל־תגמול֥והי עלֽי
5
7
ib mh-awib lihvh
cl-tgmulohi ylii
13 The cup of salvation I will bear,
so in the name of Yahweh I will call. (1-4-1)
יג כוס־ישוע֥ות אש֑א
ובש֖ם יהו֣ה אקרֽא
6
6
ig cos-iwuyot awa
ubwm ihvh aqra
14 ♪g My vows to Yahweh I will pay,
may it be before all his people. (g-1-4-1)
יד נ֭דרי ליהו֣ה אשל֑ם
נגדה־נ֝֗א לכל־עמֽו
8
7
id ndrii lihvh awlm
ngdh-na lcl-ymo
15 ♪g Precious in the eyes of Yahweh,
is the death of those under his mercy. (g-1-4-1)
טו י֭קר בעינ֣י יהו֑ה
ה֝מ֗ותה לחסידֽיו
7
7
Tv iqr byini ihvh
hmvvth lksidiv
16 Yahweh beseeching, for I myself am your servant,
I myself your servant and child of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds. (1-2-4-1)
טז אֽנ֣ה יהוה֮ כֽי־אנ֪י ע֫בד֥ך
א‍ֽני־ע֭בדך בן־אמת֑ך
פ֝ת֗חת למוסרֽי
9
11
7
Tz anh ihvh ci-ani ybdç
ani-ybdç bn-amtç
pitkt lmosrii
17 To you I will offer the offering of thanksgiving,
so in the name of Yahweh I will call. (1-4-1)
יז לֽך־א֭זבח ז֣בח תוד֑ה
ובש֖ם יהו֣ה אקרֽא
8
6
iz lç-azbk zbk todh
ubwm ihvh aqra
18 ♪g My vows to Yahweh I will pay,
may it be before all his people, (g-1-4-1)
יח נ֭דרי ליהו֣ה אשל֑ם
נגדה־נ֝֗א לכל־עמֽו
8
7
ik ndrii lihvh awlm
ngdh-na lcl-ymo
19 in the courts of the house of Yahweh, in your centre, O Jerusalem. Hallelu Yah. (1-1)
יט בחצר֤ות ב֤ית יהו֗ה בֽת֘וכ֤כי יֽרושל֗ם הֽללו־יֽה 17
iT bkxrot bit ihvh btocci iruwlim hllu-ih

Friday 8 November 2024

Psalm 114

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 114: Syllables: 128; Longest recitation: 7; Tenor: A 35.94%;
Ornament density: 12.5%; Average phrase length: 8.
The melody evident here is very similar to the Anglican chant for this psalm and to the Anglican plainsong chant, both of which are called tonus peregrinus or the wandering tone. This plainsong mode is the only one from the Gregorian tradition with multiple recitation pitches, the characteristic feature of Hebrew cantillation which is explicitly brought out with Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura's deciphering key. See this section Chanting in Synagogues in James McGrath's The Bible and Music.

1 When Israel came out from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from an exotic people, (1-4-1)
א בצ֣את י֭שראל ממצר֑ים
ב֥ית י֝עק֗ב מע֥ם לעֽז
9
8
a bxat iwral mmxriim
bit iyqob mym loyz
2 Judah became his sanctuary,
Israel his parables. (1-4-1)
ב הית֣ה יהוד֣ה לקדש֑ו
י֝שרא֗ל ממשלותֽיו
8
7
b hiith ihudh lqodwo
iwral mmwlotiv
3 The sea saw and withdrew.
The Jordan was surrounded from behind. (1-4-1)
ג הי֣ם ר֭אה וינ֑ס
ה֝ירד֗ן יס֥ב לאחֽור
7
8
g him rah vinos
hirdn iisob lakor
4 ♪g The hills skipped like rams,
hillocks like lambkin. (g-1-4-1)
ד הֽ֭הרים רקד֣ו כאיל֑ים
ג֝בע֗ות כבני־צֽאן
8
6
d hhrim rqdu cailim
gbyot cbni-xan
5 What is it to you, sea that you withdrew,
O Jordan, that you were surrounded from behind? (1-4-1)
ה מה־לך֣ ה֭ים כ֣י תנ֑וס
ה֝ירד֗ן תס֥ב לאחֽור
8
8
h mh-lç him ci tnus
hirdn tisob lakor
6 ♪g hills that you skipped like rams,
hillocks like lambkin? (g-1-4-1)
ו הֽ֭הרים תרקד֣ו כאיל֑ים
ג֝בע֗ות כבני־צֽאן
9
6
v hhrim trqdu cailim
gbyot cbni-xan
7 From the presence of the Lord let earth be brought to birth,
from the presence of the God of Jacob, (1-4-1)
ז מלפנ֣י א֭דון ח֣ולי א֑רץ
מ֝לפנ֗י אל֣וה יעקֽב
9
9
z mlpni adon kuli arx
mlpni aloh iyqob
8 who changes the rock into a pool of waters,
the flint into his spring of waters. (1-4-1)
ח ההפכ֣י הצ֣ור אגם־מ֑ים
ח֝למ֗יש למעינו־מֽים
9
8
k hhopci hxur agm-mim
klmiw lmyiino-mim

Psalm 90

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 90: Syllables: 361; Longest recitation: 11; Tenor: A 20.78%;
Ornament density: 11.1%; Average phrase length: 10.3.

Performance here by French soprano Esther Lamandier. No corrections were required to the music above. 

I doubt by now that you need me to point out anything further. All I want to do in this series is to present the data, both text and music. My voice if indeed you need it, speaks clearly enough through my translation and my two earlier books. My translation and its accompanying concordance are not perfect, but as imperfectly consistent as I could manage.

If you are a musician, please sing or arrange something. If you read Hebrew please take note of what beauty there is embedded in the hand signals in the text. These marks restore something of the tone of voice for us all. And there are real songs and laments as we have heard already. If you want to learn Hebrew, sing from the transcription, and explore the Hebrew and SimHebrew to help you learn. You don't need to start from nothing.

1 A prayer of Moses the man of God.
My Lord, a habitation you yourself have become for us, from generation to generation. (1-2-1)
א תפלה֮ למש֪ה אֽיש־האל֫ה֥ים
א‍ֽדנ֗י מע֣ון א֭תה הי֥ית ל֗נו בד֣ר ודֽר
11
15
a tpilh lmwh aiw-halohim
adonii myon ath hiit lnu bdor vdor
2 From ere mountains were born or you birthed earth and world,
and even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. (1-4-1)
ב בט֤רם ה֘ר֤ים יל֗דו ותח֣ולֽל א֣רץ ותב֑ל
וֽמעול֥ם עד־ע֝ול֗ם את֥ה אֽל
16
10
b bTrm hrim iuldu vtkoll arx vtbl
umyolm yd-yolm ath al
3 You turn a mortal to contrition,
and you say, Turn children of humanity. (1-4-1)
ג תש֣ב א֭נוש עד־דכ֑א
ו֝ת֗אמר ש֣ובו בני־אדֽם
6
9
g twb anow yd-dca
vtamr wubu bni-adm
4 ♪C For a thousand years in your eyes are like a recent day that has passed by,
and a watch in the night. (C-1-4-1)
ד כ֤י א֪לף שנ֡ים בֽעינ֗יך כי֣ום א֭תמול כ֣י יעב֑ר
ואשמור֥ה בלֽילה
17
7
d ci alf wnim byiniç ciom atmol ci iybor
vawmurh blilh
5 ♪g You inundate them. Sleep they become.
In the morning, as grass renews, (g-1-4-1)
ה ז֭רמתם שנ֣ה יהי֑ו
ב֝ב֗קר כחצ֥יר יחלֽף
7
9
h zrmtm winh ihiu
bboqr ckxir iklof
6 ♪g in the morning, it blossoms and renews.
Of the evening, it is cut down and dries up. (g-1-4-1)
ו ב֭בקר יצ֣יץ וחל֑ף
ל֝ע֗רב ימול֥ל ויבֽש
8
9
v bboqr ixix vklf
lyrb imoll vibw
7 For we are consumed in your anger,
and in your heat we are vexed. (1-4-1)
ז כֽי־כל֥ינו באפ֑ך
וֽבחמתך֥ נבהֽלנו
8
8
z ci-clinu bapç
ubkmtç nbhlnu
8 You put our iniquities before you,
our dissembling in the light of your face. (1-4-1)
ח שת֣ה עונת֣ינו לנגד֑ך
ע֝למ֗נו למא֥ור פנֽיך
11
9
k wth yvonotinu lngdç
ylumnu lmaor pniç
9 ♪B For all our days face away from your fury.
We consume our years as a mutter. (B-1-4-1)
ט כ֣י כל־י֭מינו פנ֣ו בעברת֑ך
כל֖ינו שנ֣ינו כמו־הֽגה
12
10
T ci cl-iminu pnu bybrtç
cilinu wninu cmo-hgh
10 The days of our years, in them a seventy year span, and if valiant, an eighty year span, but their boldness is toil and mischief,
for they scurry past, and we fly away. (1-4-1)
י ימֽי־שנות֨ינו בה֥ם שבע֪ים שנ֡ה וא֤ם בגבור֨ת שמ֘ונ֤ים שנ֗ה ו֭רהבם עמ֣ל וא֑ון
כי־ג֥ז ח֝֗יש ונעֽפה
30
7
i imi-wnotinu bhm wbyim wnh vam bgburot wmonim wnh vrohbm yml vavvn
ci-gz kiw vnyuph
11 Who knows the strength of your anger,
and according to your fear your fury? (1-4-1)
יא מֽי־י֭ודע ע֣ז אפ֑ך
ו֝כיראתך֗ עברתֽך
8
8
ia mi-iody yoz apç
uciratç ybrtç
12 To apportion our days so make us know,
that we may come to the heart of wisdom. (1-4-1)
יב למנ֣ות י֭מינו כ֣ן הוד֑ע
ו֝נב֗א לב֣ב חכמֽה
8
7
ib lmnot iminu cn hody
vnbia lbb kcmh
13 Return Yahweh, how long?
And be comforted over your servants. (1-4-1)
יג שוב֣ה י֭הוה עד־מת֑י
ו֝הנח֗ם על־עבדֽיך
7
9
ig wubh ihvh yd-mtii
vhinkm yl-ybdiç
14 Satisfy us in the morning of your kindness,
and we will shout for joy and be glad in all our days. (1-4-1)
יד שבע֣נו בב֣קר חסד֑ך
וֽנרננ֥ה ו֝נשמח֗ה בכל־ימֽינו
9
12
id wbynu bboqr ksdç
unrnnh vnwmkh bcl-iminu
15 ♪g Make us glad for days you afflicted us,
years we have seen evil. (g-1-4-1)
טו ש֭מחנו כימ֣ות ענית֑נו
ש֝נ֗ות רא֥ינו רעֽה
9
7
Tv wmknu cimot yinitnu
wnot rainu ryh
16 Let your work appear to your servants,
and your honour upon their children. (1-4-1)
טז ירא֣ה אל־עבד֣יך פעל֑ך
ו֝הדרך֗ על־בניהֽם
12
8
Tz iirah al-ybdiç poylç
vhdrç yl-bnihm
17 And let the pleasure of the Lord our God be upon us,
and the deed of our hands establish upon us,
and the deed of our hands establish. (1-2-4-1)
יז ויה֤י נ֤עם אדנ֥י אלה֗ינו ע֫ל֥ינו
ומעש֣ה י֭דינו כוננ֥ה על֑ינו
וֽמעש֥ה י֝ד֗ינו כוננֽהו
14
12
10
iz vihi noym adonii alohinu ylinu
umywh idinu connh ylinu
umywh idinu connhu

Psalm 91

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 91: Syllables: 281; Longest recitation: 13; Tenor: A 24.56%;
Ornament density: 10.4%; Average phrase length: 9.

The music of verse 1 shows the connection between this psalm and the previous one. It looked as if I might notice a new motif in the music, a descending triad. Unfortunately the lowest note was not supported by the Aleppo codex in verses 3 and 4 so the triad disappeared. Premature return to the tonic is always to be suspect in these melodies. A similar error was corrected in verse 15. There are 80 verses with this potential correction. I will not do them all at once or I will go cross-eyed. Maybe some of them are ok.

1 ♪g One sitting in the secret of the Most High,
in the shadow of the Sufficient will bide. (g-1-4-1)
א י֭שב בס֣תר עלי֑ון
בצ֥ל ש֝ד֗י יתלונֽן
7
7
a iowb bstr ylion
bxl wdii itlonn
2 I will say to Yahweh, My refuge and my fortress,
my God, I will trust in him. (1-4-1)
ב אמ֗ר לֽ֭יהוה מחס֣י ומצודת֑י
א֝לה֗י אבטח־בֽו
10
6
b aomr lihvh mksi umxudti
alohii abTk-bo
3 ♪C For he himself will deliver you from a trapper's snare, from a pestilence of calamities. (C-1-1)
ג כ֤י ה֣וא י֭צֽילך מפ֥ח יק֗וש מד֥בר הוֽות 14
g ci hua ixilç mpk iquw mdbr hvot
4 With his feathers he will overshadow you, and under his wings you will take refuge,
grappling hook and carapace his truth. (1-4-1)
ד באברת֨ו י֣סך ל֭ך ותֽחת־כנפ֣יו תחס֑ה
צנ֖ה וֽסחר֣ה אמתֽו
15
9
d babrto isç lç vtkt-cnpiv tksh
xinh vsokrh amito
5 You will not fear from dread by night,
from an arrow that flies by day, (1-4-1)
ה לא־ת֭ירא מפ֣חד ל֑ילה
מ֝ח֗ץ יע֥וף יומֽם
7
6
h la-tira mpkd lilh
mkx iyuf iomm
6 ♪g from pestilence that walks in gloom,
from canker that devastates at noon. (g-1-4-1)
ו מ֭דבר בא֣פל יהל֑ך
מ֝ק֗טב יש֥וד צהרֽים
9
9
v mdbr baopl ihloç
mqTb iwud xohriim
7 A thousand will fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand,
to you it will make no overture. (1-4-1)
ז יפ֤ל מצדך֨ א֗לף ורבב֥ה מימינ֑ך
א֝ל֗יך ל֣א יגֽש
14
6
z iipol mxidç alf urbbh miminç
aliç la iigw
8 ♪g Certainly with your eyes you will take note,
and payment for the wicked you will see. (g-1-4-1)
ח ר֭ק בעינ֣יך תב֑יט
ושלמ֖ת רשע֣ים תראֽה
7
9
k rq byiniç tbiT
vwilumt rwyim trah
9 For you Yahweh are my refuge.
The Most High you have set up as your habitation. (1-4-1)
ט כֽי־את֣ה יהו֣ה מחס֑י
ע֝לי֗ון ש֣מת מעונֽך
6
8
T ci-ath ihvh mksi
ylion wmt myonç
10 Evil will not opportune you,
and contagion will not approach within your tent. (1-4-1)
י לֽא־תאנ֣ה אל֣יך רע֑ה
ו֝נ֗גע לא־יקר֥ב באהלֽך
9
11
i la-taunh aliç ryh
vngy la-iqrb baohlç
11 ♪B For his messengers he will command about you,
to keep you in all your ways. (B-1-4-1)
יא כ֣י מ֭לאכיו יצוה־ל֑ך
ל֝שמרך֗ בכל־דרכֽיך
8
9
ia ci mlaciv ixvvh-lç
lwmorç bcl-drciç
12 In their palms they will lift you up,
lest you stub your foot with a stone. (1-4-1)
יב על־כפ֥ים ישא֑ונך
פן־תג֖ף בא֣בן רגלֽך
7
9
ib yl-cpiim iiwaunç
pn-tigof babn rglç
13 Over fierce lion and adder you will make your way.
You will trample young lion and dragon. (1-4-1)
יג על־ש֣חל ופ֣תן תדר֑ך
תרמ֖ס כפ֣יר ותנֽין
8
7
ig yl-wkl vptn tdroç
trmos cpir vtnin
14 ♪C Because he attached himself to me, so I will secure him.
I will set him on high, for he has known my name. (C-1-4-1)
יד כ֤י ב֣י ח֭שק ואפלט֑הו
א֝שגב֗הו כֽי־יד֥ע שמֽי
9
8
id ci bi kwq vaplThu
awgbhu ci-idy wmi
15 He will call me and I will answer him. I am with him in trouble.
I will rescue him and I will glorify him. (1-4-1)
טו יקרא֨ני וֽאענ֗הו עמֽו־אנכ֥י בצר֑ה
א֝חלצ֗הו וֽאכבדֽהו
16
9
Tv iqrani vaynhu yimo-anoci bxrh
aklxhu vacbdhu
16 ♪B With length of days I will satisfy him,
and I will show him my salvation. (B-1-4-1)
טז א֣רך י֭מים אשביע֑הו
ו֝ארא֗הו בֽישועתֽי
8
8
Tz aorç imim awbiyhu
varahu biwuyti