Psalm 110

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.

Psalm 110: Syllables 146 Longest recitation 7 Tenor f# 21.92%

This psalm, one of two oracles in the psalter, is so special it is followed by two acrostics. There are no performances of the raw data that I am aware of. The psalm has great lines that lend themselves to chorale treatment. The willingness of the people is ornamented by a tsinnor in verse 3. Qadma appear in verses 1 and 4 both ornamenting the divine name. 

The music of some of the verses of Psalm 110 anchors the first part of my oratorio Unleashing Leviathan. Lots more could be done with it.

1 Of David a psalm, an oracle of Yahweh to my Lord. Sit at my right hand, till I set your enemies as your footstool. (1-2-4-1)
א לדו֗ד מ֫זמ֥ור נא֤ם יהו֨ה לֽאדנ֗י ש֥ב לֽימינ֑י עד־אש֥ית א֝יב֗יך הד֣ם לרגלֽיך	5 11 12		a ldvid mzmor naum ihvh ladoni wb limini yd-awit aoibiç hdom lrgliç
2 Yahweh will send the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule within and among your enemies. (1-4-1)
ב מטֽה־עזך֗ ישל֣ח י֭הוה מצי֑ון ר֝ד֗ה בק֣רב איבֽיך	11 8		b mTh-yuzç iwlk ihvh mxion rdh bqrb aoibiç
3 Your people are willing in the day of your weal. In the honour of holiness from the womb of the dawn, yours is the dew of your childhood. (1-2-4-1)
ג עמך֣ נדבת֮ בי֪ום ח֫יל֥ך בֽהדרי־ק֭דש מר֣חם משח֑ר ל֝ך֗ ט֣ל ילדתֽיך	10 10 7		g ymç ndbot biom kilç bhdri-qodw mrkm mwkr lç Tl ildutç
4 Yahweh has sworn and without a sigh, You are a priest forever, by the word of Melchizedek. (1-4-1)
ד נשב֤ע יהו֨ה ול֥א ינח֗ם אתֽה־כה֥ן לעול֑ם על־ד֝ברת֗י מלכי־צֽדק	16 8		d nwby ihvh vla iinkm ath-cohn lyolm yl-dbrti mlci-xdq
5 My Lord is at your right hand. He will wound kings in the day of his anger. (1-4-1)
ה אדנ֥י על־ימֽינך֑ מח֖ץ ביום־אפ֣ו מלכֽים	7 9		h adonii yl-iminç mkx biom-apo mlcim
6 He will advocate among the nations, a fullness of bodies. He will wound exceedingly a head on earth. (1-4-1)
ו יד֣ין ב֭גוים מל֣א גוי֑ות מ֥חץ ר֝֗אש על־א֥רץ רבֽה	10 8		v idin bgoiim mla gvviiot mkx raw yl-arx rbh
7 ♪g He will imbibe from the torrent in the way. Therefore he will lift a head high. (g-1-4-1)
ז מ֭נחל בד֣רך ישת֑ה על־כ֝֗ן יר֥ים רֽאש	8 5		z mnkl bdrç iwth yl-cn irim raw

There is no time

Bosco Peters gives an excellent summary of inspiration in a post entitled Which Bible is Inspired. It's a really helpful way for me to think about why this or that collection of texts seems to work the way it does -- as does the liturgy, I might add.

This God-breathed word is like bringing the creation of Adam into today. As well as the creation of Eve --  and why I'm at it, why not murder - are not Cain and Abel with us today, confusion (not hard to imagine how Babel relates to our politics and our personal mumblings to each other), and natural disaster -- wake up, Rip van Winkle, the climate is changed. 

I wonder if we together today will allow the God who breathes us into life to make such equality possible -- in our time -- within our multifarious 'throats'. I woke up mute after a day of disagreeable things with Qohelet 3 on my mind. And I thought - there is no time. I was definitely feeling out of season. So I am looking for this life-giving breath in us all together as we get through the very troubling era that is present to us. 

Richard Beck continues to post very helpful theology. This one on virtue in non-believers is good like that first chapter of Genesis all of which is present to us, each day unfolding to our hearts. And as Herbert says - we count 300 but we misse - there is but one, and that one ever. Even if ever is a time-laden word. And I think the phrase non-believer is off base to use another metaphor. There must be hosts of people with other beliefs than mine, whatever they are, that I am working with and mutually dependent on.

Psalm 23

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 23: Syllables 134 Longest recitation 9 Tenor f# 32.84%

The psalm has a tenor of f# -- pending, not a stable place. Verses 4 and 6 link themselves to the previous verse via their opening pitch. Each on the high C, a note of imprecation - the drop to the tonic in verse 4 gives a low tessitura to the shadow of death. The zarqa underlines the confidence and aids the singer to the leap back to the C before coming to the mid-verse rest on the subdominant. We often forget the adversaries (not enemies -- there's no need for a discordant translation here). But verse 6 returning again to the high note transforms it into a confident conclusion. See further reflections here from Heather Thiessen.

Performances here and here.

1 A psalm of David. Yahweh is my shepherd. I will not lack. (1-4-1)
א מזמ֥ור לדו֑ד יהו֥ה ר֝ע֗י ל֣א אחסֽר	5 7		a mzmor ldvid ihvh royi la aksr
2 In verdant loveliness he makes me recline. By waters at rest he refreshes me. (1-4-1)
ב בנא֣ות ד֭שא ירביצ֑ני על־מ֖י מנח֣ות ינהלֽני	8 10		b bnaot dwa irbixni yl-mi mnukot inhlni
3 My being he repairs. He guides me in tracks of righteousness for the sake of his name. (1-4-1)
ג נפש֥י ישוב֑ב יֽנח֥ני במעגלי־צ֝֗דק למ֣ען שמֽו	5 14		g npwi iwobb inkni bmygli-xdq lmyn wmo
4 ♪C Furthermore because I walk in the gorge shadowing death, I will not fear evil, because you are with me. Your sceptre and your staff, they re-create me. (C-1-4-1)
ד ג֤ם כֽי־אל֨ך בג֪יא צלמ֡ות לא־א֘יר֤א ר֗ע כי־את֥ה עמד֑י שבטך֥ ו֝משענת֗ך ה֣מה ינֽחמֽני	19 15		d gm ci-alç bgia xlmvvt la-aira ry ci-ath yimdi wbTç umwyntç hmh inkmuni
5 You arrange facing me a table in front of my adversaries. You fatten with oil my head. My cup is saturated. (1-4-1)
ה תער֬ך לפנ֨י שלח֗ן נ֥גד צרר֑י דש֖נת בש֥מן ר֝אש֗י כוס֥י רויֽה	12 13		h tyroç lpnii wulkn ngd xorrii diwnt bwmn rawi cosi rvvih
6 ♪C Surely goodness and kindness pursue me all the days of my life, and I will sit in the house of Yahweh for length of days. (C-1-4-1)
ו א֤ך ט֤וב וח֣סד י֭רדפוני כל־ימ֣י חי֑י ושבת֥י בבית־י֝הו֗ה לא֣רך ימֽים	14 12		v aç Tob vksd irdpuni cl-imi kii vwbti bbit-ihvh laorç imim

Qohelet 3

 I don't have time. There is no time. Some things I cannot fix. Delight? Futility.

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.

Qohelet 3: Syllables 596 Longest recitation 12 Tenor B 25.50%

No performance available. Arrangement of part of the chapter (1-15)- is here. The return to the tonic in verse 8 is supported in Aleppo. The music is quite different from what we have seen so far in the psalms.
 

1 To everything there is a season, and a time for every delight under the heavens. (1-4-1)
א לכ֖ל זמ֑ן וע֥ת לכל־ח֖פץ ת֥חת השמֽים	4 12		a lcol zmn vyt lcl-kpx tkt hwmiim
2 ♪f A time to give birth and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to root out what is planted, (f-1-4-1)
ב ע֥ת לל֖דת וע֣ת למ֑ות ע֣ת לט֔עת וע֖ת לעק֥ור נטֽוע	8 12		b yt lldt vyt lmut yt lTyt vyt lyqor nTuy
3 ♪C a time to slay and a time to heal, a time to breach and a time to build, (C-1-1)
ג ע֤ת להרוג֙ וע֣ת לרפ֔וא ע֥ת לפר֖וץ וע֥ת לבנֽות	15		g yt lhrog vyt lrpoa yt lprox vyt lbnot
4 ♪C a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to wail and a time to skip, (C-1-1)
ד ע֤ת לבכות֙ וע֣ת לשח֔וק ע֥ת ספ֖וד וע֥ת רקֽוד	14		d yt lbcot vyt lwkoq yt spod vyt rqod
5 ♪C a time to fling stones and a time to garner stones, a time to clasp and a time to be distant from clasping, (C-1-4-1)
ה ע֚ת להשל֣יך אבנ֔ים וע֖ת כנ֣וס אבנ֑ים ע֣ת לחב֔וק וע֖ת לרח֥ק מחבֽק	14 11		h yt lhwliç abnim vyt cnos abnim yt lkboq vyt lrkoq mkbq
6 ♪C a time to seek and a time to be lost, a time to keep and a time to fling, (C-1-1)
ו ע֤ת לבקש֙ וע֣ת לאב֔ד ע֥ת לשמ֖ור וע֥ת להשלֽיך	17		v yt lbqw vyt labd yt lwmor vyt lhwliç
7 ♪C a time to rip and a time to sew, a time to be calm and a time to speak, (C-1-1)
ז ע֤ת לקר֙וע֙ וע֣ת לתפ֔ור ע֥ת לחש֖ות וע֥ת לדבֽר	17		z yt lqroy vyt ltpor yt lkwot vyt ldbr
8 ♪C a time to love and a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace. (C-1-1)
ח ע֤ת לֽאהב֙ וע֣ת לשנ֔א ע֥ת מלחמ֖ה וע֥ת שלֽום	16		k yt lahob vyt lwnoa yt mlkmh vyt wlom
9 What is the advantage for the maker in that it toils? (1-1)
ט מה־יתרון֙ הֽעוש֔ה באש֖ר ה֥וא עמֽל	12		T mh-itron hyowh bawr hua yml
10 I have seen the business that God gives to the children of the human to be busy with. (1-1)
י רא֣יתי את־הֽעני֗ן אש֨ר נת֧ן אלה֛ים לבנ֥י האד֖ם לענ֥ות בֽו	23		i raiti at-hyniin awr ntn alohim lbni hadm lynot bo
11 The whole he has made beautiful in its time, even the obscurity he has given in their heart without which the human would not find out the doings that this God has done from beginning and to conclusion. (1-4-1)
יא את־הכ֥ל עש֖ה יפ֣ה בעת֑ו ג֤ם את־העלם֙ נת֣ן בלב֔ם מבל֞י אש֧ר לא־ימצ֣א האד֗ם את־הֽמעש֛ה אשר־עש֥ה האלה֖ים מר֥אש ועד־סֽוף	10 38		ia at-hcol ywh iph byito gm at-hyolm ntn blibm mbli awr la-imxa hadm at-hmywh awr-ywh halohim mraw vyd-sof
12 I know that there is no good in them, except to be glad and to do good in each life. (1-4-1)
יב יד֕עתי כ֛י א֥ין ט֖וב ב֑ם כ֣י אם־לשמ֔וח ולעש֥ות ט֖וב בחיֽיו	7 13		ib idyti ci ain Tob bm ci am-lwmok vlywot Tob bkiiv
13 And even every human that eats and imbibes and sees good in all its toil, from the giving of God it is. (1-4-1)
יג וג֤ם כל־האדם֙ שיאכ֣ל ושת֔ה ורא֥ה ט֖וב בכל־עמל֑ו מת֥ת אלה֖ים הֽיא	21 6		ig vgm cl-hadm wiacl vwth vrah Tob bcl-ymlo mtt alohim hia
14 I know, because everything that this God does, it is forever. To it, there is nothing to add and from it, there is nothing to be subtracted, and this God does that which they fear from his presence. (1-4-1)
יד יד֗עתי כ֠י כל־אש֨ר יעש֤ה האלהים֙ ה֚וא יהי֣ה לעול֔ם עליו֙ א֣ין להוס֔יף וממ֖נו א֣ין לגר֑ע והאלה֣ים עש֔ה שיֽרא֖ו מלפנֽיו	34 13		id idyti ci cl-awr iywh halohim hua ihih lyolm yliv ain lhosif ummnu ain lgroy vhalohim ywh wiirau mlpniv
15 What is it that becomes? Already it is. And that that is to become? Already it has become. And this God seeks the one that is pursued. (1-4-1)
טו מה־שֽהיה֙ כב֣ר ה֔וא ואש֥ר להי֖ות כב֣ר הי֑ה והאלה֖ים יבק֥ש את־נרדֽף	16 11		Tv mh-whih cbr hua vawr lhiot cbr hih vhalohim ibqw at-nrdf
16 And further I saw, under the sun, the place of judgment. Heading there was the wicked. And the place of the righteous. Heading there was the wicked. (1-4-1)
טז וע֥וד רא֖יתי ת֣חת הש֑מש מק֤ום המשפט֙ ש֣מה הר֔שע ומק֥ום הצ֖דק ש֥מה הרֽשע	10 20		Tz vyod raiti tkt hwmw mqom hmwpT wmh hrwy umqom hxdq wmh hrwy
17 I myself said in my heart, This God will judge the righteous one and the wicked one, for the time for every delight and concerning every particular deed there. (1-4-1)
יז אמ֤רתֽי אני֙ בלב֔י את־הצדיק֙ ואת־ה֣רש֔ע ישפ֖ט האלה֑ים כי־ע֣ת לכל־ח֔פץ וע֥ל כל־הֽמעש֖ה שֽם	23 14		iz amrti ani blibi at-hxdiq vat-hrwy iwpoT halohim ci-yt lcl-kpx vyl cl-hmywh wm
18 I myself said in my heart about the things of the children of the human to purify them for this God, and to show that they are a beast themselves to themselves. (1-4-1)
יח אמ֤רתֽי אני֙ בלב֔י על־דברת֙ בנ֣י האד֔ם לבר֖ם האלה֑ים ולרא֕ות שהם־בהמ֥ה ה֖מה להֽם	23 12		ik amrti ani blibi yl-dbrt bni hadm lbrm halohim vlraot whm-bhmh hmh lhm
19 For what transpires for the children of the human and what transpires for the beast? And what transpires for them is one thing. As death for this so is death for that, and one spirit for all. And for the human over the beast there is no advantage, for the whole is futility. (1-4-1)
יט כי֩ מקר֨ה בֽני־האד֜ם ומקר֣ה הבהמ֗ה ומקר֤ה אחד֙ לה֔ם כמ֥ות זה֙ כ֣ן מ֣ות ז֔ה ור֥וח אח֖ד לכ֑ל ומות֨ר האד֤ם מן־הבהמה֙ א֔ין כ֥י הכ֖ל הֽבל	33 17		iT ci mqrh bni-hadm umqrh hbhmh umqrh akd lhm cmot zh cn mot zh vruk akd lcol umotr hadm mn-hbhmh ain ci hcol hbl
20 The whole ambles to one place. The whole is from the dust and the whole returns to the dust. (1-4-1)
כ הכ֥ל הול֖ך אל־מק֣ום אח֑ד הכל֙ הי֣ה מן־הֽעפ֔ר והכ֖ל ש֥ב אל־העפֽר	9 16		c hcol holç al-mqom akd hcol hih mn-hypr vhcol wb al-hypr
21 ♪B Who knows if the sprite of the human child ascends herself upward, or the sprite of the beast descends herself to the couch of the earth? (B-1-4-1)
כא מ֣י יוד֗ע ר֚וח בנ֣י האד֔ם העל֥ה ה֖יא למ֑עלה ור֙וח֙ הבהמ֔ה היר֥דת ה֖יא למ֥טה לאֽרץ	18 17		ca mi iody ruk bni hadm hyolh hia lmylh vruk hbhmh hiordt hia lmTh larx
22 And I saw that there is no good but that the human should be glad through its deeds for this is its share, for who will make it come to see into what is that will be after it? (1-4-1)
כב ורא֗יתי כ֣י א֥ין טוב֙ מאש֨ר ישמ֤ח האדם֙ בֽמעש֔יו כי־ה֖וא חלק֑ו כ֣י מ֤י יביא֙נו֙ לרא֔ות במ֖ה שיהי֥ה אחרֽיו	22 16		cb vraiti ci ain Tob mawr iwmk hadm bmywiv ci-hua klqo ci mi ibianu lraot bmh wihih akriv

Psalm 36

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.

Psalm 36:  Syllables 236 Longest recitation 12 Tenor e  22.46%

This is one of the psalms that begins with a trumpet fanfare - the impact of the illuy as interpreted in this deciphering key derived by Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura. (Or shofar). It is one of two psalms labeled as an oracle. The other is psalm 110. Both these psalms are followed by acrostics. That makes them special. This psalm is about 'me'. It is not any 'other'. The qadma is common in the prose books but rare in the poetry, it occurs in only 353 verses.

1 For the leader. Of a servant of Yahweh. Of David. (1-1)
א למנצ֬ח לעֽבד־יהו֬ה לדוֽד	12		a lmnxk lybd-ihvh ldvid
2 An oracle on the transgression of the wicked within my heart, there is no dread of God before its eyes. (1-4-1)
ב נאֽם־פ֣שע ל֭רשע בק֣רב לב֑י אֽין־פ֥חד א֝לה֗ים לנ֣גד עינֽיו	12 11		b naum-pwy lrwy bqrb libi ain-pkd alohim lngd yiniv
3 For it divides itself in its own eyes, to find hate for its iniquity. (1-4-1)
ג כֽי־החל֣יק אל֣יו בעינ֑יו למצ֖א עונ֣ו לשנֽא	8 7		g ci-hkliq aliv byiniv lmxoa yvono lwnoa
4 The words of its mouth are mischief and deceit. It leaves off insight to do good. (1-4-1)
ד דברי־פ֭יו א֣ון ומרמ֑ה חד֖ל להשכ֣יל להיטֽיב	8 8		d dbri-piv avvn umrmh kdl lhwcil lhiTib
5 ♪C Mischief it devises when it lies down. It stations itself on a way that is not good. Evil it does not refuse. (C-1-2-4-1)
ה א֤ון יחש֗ב עֽל־משכ֫ב֥ו י֭תיצב על־ד֣רך לא־ט֑וב ר֝֗ע ל֣א ימאֽס	8 8 4		h avvn ikwob yl-mwcbo itiixb yl-drç la-Tob ry la imas
6 ♪g Yahweh, to the heavens is your kindness, your faithfulness to the skies. (g-1-4-1)
ו י֭הוה בהשמ֣ים חסד֑ך א֝מ֥וּנתך֗ עד־שחקֽים	9 5		v ihvh bhwmiim ksdç amוּntç yd-wkqim
7 Your righteousness as the hills of God, your judgments an exceeding abyss. Human and beast you save, Yahweh. (1-4-1)
ז צדקֽתך֨ כֽהררי־א֗ל מ֭שפטך תה֣ום רב֑ה א֤דֽם ובהמ֖ה תוש֣יע יהוֽה	15 10		z xdqtç chrri-al mwpTiç thom rbh adm ubhmh towiy ihvh
8 How precious your kindness, O God. And the children of humanity, in the shadow of your wings take refuge. (1-2-4-1)
ח מה־יק֥ר חסדך֗ אל֫ה֥ים ובנ֥י אד֑ם בצ֥ל כ֝נפ֗יך יחסיֽון	9 4 10		k mh-iqr ksdç alohim ubni adm bxl cnpiç iksiun
9 ♪g They will be saturated from the fatness of your house, and the torrents of your enthrallment they will drink. (g-1-4-1)
ט י֭רוין מד֣שן בית֑ך ונ֖חל עדנ֣יך תשקֽם	9 9		T irvviun mdwn bitç vnkl ydniç twqm
10 For with you is the fountain of life. In your light we see light. (1-4-1)
י כֽי־ע֭מך מק֣ור חי֑ים ב֝אורך֗ נראה־אֽור	7 6		i ci-yimç mqor kiim baorç nrah-aor
11 Draw out your kindness to those knowing you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart. (1-4-1)
יא מש֣ך ח֭סדך לידע֑יך ו֝צדקֽתך֗ לישרי־לֽב	9 8		ia mwoç ksdç liodyiç vxdqtç liwri-lb
12 Do not let a proud stride come to me, nor the hand of the wicked make me waver. (1-4-1)
יב אל־ת֭בואני ר֣גל גאו֑ה ויד־ר֝שע֗ים אל־תנדֽני	10 10		ib al-tboani rgl gavvh vid-rwyim al-tnidni
13 ♪B There the workers of mischief are fallen. They are pushed over and will not be able to arise. (B-1-4-1)
יג ש֣ם נ֭פלו פ֣עלי א֑ון ד֝ח֗ו ולא־י֥כלו קֽום	8 7		ig wm nplu poyli avvn doku vla-iclu qum

Psalm 145

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.

Psalm 145: Syllables 406 Longest recitation 9 Tenor A 24.38%

In this psalm you can see that we begin with a tricolon 1-2-4-1 and end with a 1-2-1 bi-colon. These are the only two verses in the psalm with an ole veyored (a cadence on the supertonic).

Nine verses, 4 to 7, 11, 15, 16, 18, and 20 are all without ornaments. The remaining verses except verse 20 have the usual combinations of revia and geresh. Verse 13, the Mem verse, drops to the tonic after the cadence on the supertonic. It was a suspicious drop but the same melody is in the Aleppo codex also.

As for the rarer ornaments, verse 3 has a zarqa. Zarqa and its offset tsinnor occur in 416 verses, fewer than 10% of the 4,465 verses of the poetry books. Verse 13 includes a pazer. The pazer is part of my reconstruction from the Septuagint of the missing N verse. Pazer occurs only in 90 verses, 2% of the poetry verses. In contrast revia and geresh occur in more than 76% of the poetry verses.

Psalm 145 is the celebration of psalm 144, as Psalms 9 and 10 are the celebration of Psalm 8. Psalms 8 and 144 are related through the question they share, and they are the only two psalms to mention fingers. The contrast is instructive. In psalm 8 the fingers of God made the heavens and the earth that the psalmist observes. In psalm 143, the fingers of the psalmist learn war. We might ask what battles are we fighting and how well trained are we? The content of the battle looks like praise and thanksgiving to me. We are all handling a lot of conflict these days. How do we respond?

1 A praise of David. I will exalt you my God the king, and I will bless your name forever and ever. (1-2-4-1)
א תהל֗ה לד֫ו֥ד ארוממך֣ אלוה֣י המ֑לך ואברכ֥ה ש֝מך֗ לעול֥ם ועֽד	6 10 12		a thilh ldvid arommç alohii hmlç vabrch wmç lyolm vyd
2 Bless you I will in every day, and I will praise your name forever and ever. (1-4-1)
ב בכל־י֥ום אברכ֑ך ואהלל֥ה ש֝מך֗ לעול֥ם ועֽד	8 11		b bcl-iom abrcç vahllh wmç lyolm vyd
3 ♪~ Great is Yahweh and much to be praised, and his greatness is beyond examining. (~1-4-1)
ג ג֘ד֤ול יהו֣ה ומהל֣ל מא֑ד ו֝לגדלת֗ו א֣ין חֽקר	9 8		g gdol ihvh umhull maod vlgdulto ain kqr
4 ♪B Down through the generations the commendation of your deeds, and your valour will be conspicuous. (B-1-4-1)
ד ד֣ור ל֭דור ישב֣ח מעש֑יך וגב֖ורת֣יך יגֽידו	10 8		d dor ldor iwbk mywiç ugburotiç igidu
5 ♪g Honour, glory, your splendour, and the words of your wonders I ponder. (g-1-4-1)
ה ה֭דר כב֣וד הוד֑ך ודבר֖י נפלאות֣יך אשֽיחה	7 11		h hdr cbod hodç vdbri nplaotiç awikh
6 Vocal they will be of strength and your fearfulness, and I will recount your greatness. (1-4-1)
ו ועז֣וז נוראת֣יך יאמ֑רו וגדולתך֥ אספרֽנה	10 8		v vyzuz noraotiç iamru ugdultç asprnh
7 ♪B Zealous in the memory of your abundant goodness, they will shout aloud of your righteousness. (B-1-4-1)
ז ז֣כר רב־טובך֣ יב֑יעו וצדקתך֥ ירנֽנו	8 8		z zcr rb-Tubç ibiyu vxdqtç irnnu
8 How gracious and compassionate is Yahweh, slow to anger and of great kindness. (1-4-1)
ח חנ֣ון ורח֣ום יהו֑ה א֥רך א֝פ֗ים וגדל־חֽסד	7 8		k knun vrkum ihvh arç apiim ugdol-ksd
9 To all Yahweh is good, and his compassion is over all he has made. (1-4-1)
ט טוב־יהו֥ה לכ֑ל ו֝רחמ֗יו על־כל־מעשֽיו	5 9		T Tob-ihvh lcol vrkmiv yl-cl-mywiv
10 Yahweh, all you have made will give you thanks, and those under your mercy will bless you. (1-4-1)
י יוד֣וך י֭הוה כל־מעש֑יך ו֝חסיד֗יך יברכֽוכה	10 10		i ioduç ihvh cl-mywiç vksidiç ibrcuç
11 Kingdom glory will be their talk, and of your valour they will speak. (1-4-1)
יא כב֣וד מלכותך֣ יאמ֑רו וגבורתך֥ ידבֽרו	8 8		ia cbod mlcutç iamru ugburtç idbru
12 Letting his valour be known to the children of the human, and the glorious honour of his reign. (1-4-1)
יב להוד֤יע לבנ֣י ה֭אדם גבורת֑יו ו֝כב֗וד הד֣ר מלכותֽו	13 7		ib lhodiy lbni hadm gburotiv ucbod hdr mlcuto
13 Making your reign a reign for every era, and your governance in all generations. Note that faithful is Yahweh in his words, and merciful in all his deeds. (1-4-1)
יג מֽלכותך֗ מלכ֥ות כל־עֽלמ֑ים ו֝מֽמשלתך֗ בכל־ד֥ור ודֽור נאמ֗ן יהו֣ה בדבר֑יו וחס֡יד בכ֥ול מעשֽיו	9 10 8 8		ig mlcutç mlcut cl-yolmim ummwltç bcl-dor vdor namn ihvh bdbriv vksid bcol mywiv
14 Supports Yahweh all the fallen, and he uplifts all the disturbed. (1-4-1)
יד סומ֣ך י֭הוה לכל־הנפל֑ים ו֝זוק֗ף לכל־הכפופֽים	9 8		id somç ihvh lcl-hnoplim vzoqf lcl-hcpupim
15 Eyes all rely on you, and you yourself give them their food in its time. (1-4-1)
טו עֽיני־כ֭ל אל֣יך ישב֑רו ואת֤ה נֽותן־לה֖ם את־אכל֣ם בעתֽו	10 13		Tv yini-col aliç iwbru vath notn-lhm at-aoclm byito
16 Perfect, you open your hand, satisfying acceptance of all that lives. (1-4-1)
טז פות֥ח את־יד֑ך ומשב֖יע לכל־ח֣י רצֽון	7 9		Tz potk at-idç umwbiy lcl-ki rxon
17 So righteous is Yahweh in all his ways, and merciful in all his deeds. (1-4-1)
יז צד֣יק י֭הוה בכל־דרכ֑יו ו֝חס֗יד בכל־מעשֽיו	9 8		iz xdiq ihvh bcl-drciv vksid bcl-mywiv
18 Quick is Yahweh to all calling him, to all who call him in truth. (1-4-1)
יח קר֣וב י֭הוה לכל־קרא֑יו לכ֤ל אש֖ר יקרא֣הו באמֽת	8 11		ik qrob ihvh lcl-qoraiv lcol awr iqrauhu bamt
19 Reasoned acceptance he will make for those who fear him, and he will hear their cry and will save them. (1-4-1)
יט רצון־ירא֥יו יעש֑ה וֽאת־שועת֥ם י֝שמ֗ע ויושיעֽם	8 11		iT rxon-iraiv iywh vat-wvvytm iwmy viowiym
20 Shelters Yahweh all loving him, and all the wicked he will exterminate. (1-4-1)
כ שומ֣ר י֭הוה את־כל־אהב֑יו וא֖ת כל־הרשע֣ים ישמֽיד	9 8		c womr ihvh at-cl-aohbiv vat cl-hrwyim iwmid
21 To the praise of Yahweh my mouth will speak, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. (1-2-1)
כא תהל֥ת יהו֗ה יֽדב֫ר־פ֥י ויבר֣ך כל־ב֭שר ש֥ם קדש֗ו לעול֥ם ועֽד	9 14		ca thilt ihvh idbr-pi vibrç cl-bwr wm qodwo lyolm vyd

The state of affairs for my new project presenting the music

If all goes to plan, I will be able to finish this task. Of the 10 steps I had to do for each psalm, 5 are now fully automated and produce the frame and content for the blog post in one operation.

Non automated steps are these:

• I need to review suspicious returns to the tonic against the Aleppo codex and 
• clean up the automated musical score for presentation in reasonable chunks. 
• Add comments on things I notice in the music, 
• links to any performances of the Biblical melodies, 
• add labels to the post, 
• and verify the syllable counts through a second method - the first method has an occasional single count shortfall that I and my generic pretrained transformer haven't found yet. Of course, you probably wouldn't notice if I didn't have the syllable counts just right. After all there are some oddball bugs in the transcriptions too that sometimes lead to extra notes or missing notes. Performers and arrangers beware.

I will also give us a break from psalms occasionally put out some examples from the prose books -- at least my favorite passages, instead of the obscure begats which we did late spring earlier this year.

A table of contents for the psalms is emerging. 

2 Samuel 1:19-27

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.

This is an example of sheer beauty in the composition and execution of the passage. It clearly demonstrates what can be done with music and limited melodic structures.

2 Samuel 1: Syllables 267 Longest recitation 12 Tenor B 35.58%

There is a performance here. You will hear variations from the above. I have not checked the accents against Aleppo. For the most part the performance is not marred by the differences. I have also not heard the 6 other performances that are on the shared resource here and here. I did a string accompaniment to this that you can hear also here.

19 O estate of Israel, on your high places, profanation. How are fallen the valiant. (1-4-1)
יט הצבי֙ ישרא֔ל על־במות֖יך חל֑ל א֖יך נפל֥ו גבורֽים	12 6		iT hxbi iwral yl-bmotiç kll aiç nplu giborim
20 Do not make it clear in Gath. Do not publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the fore-skinned exult. (1-4-1)
כ אל־תג֣ידו בג֔ת אֽל־תבשר֖ו בחוצ֣ת אשקל֑ון פן־תשמ֙חנה֙ בנ֣ות פלשת֔ים פֽן־תעל֖זנה בנ֥ות הערלֽים	16 20		c al-tgidu bgt al-tbwru bkuxot awqlon pn-twmknh bnot plwtim pn-tyloznh bnot hyrlim
21 You hills of Gilboa, no dew, and no rain on you, nor fields lifted high, for there the shield of the valiant is loathed, the shield of Saul, without anointing with oil. (1-4-1)
כא הר֣י בגלב֗ע אל־ט֧ל ואל־מט֛ר עליכ֖ם ושד֣י תרומ֑ת כ֣י ש֤ם נגעל֙ מג֣ן גבור֔ים מג֣ן שא֔ול בל֖י מש֥יח בשֽמן	20 21		ca hri bglboy al-Tl val-mTr ylicm uwdi trumot ci wm ngyl mgn giborim mgn waul bli mwik bwmn
22 From the blood of the profaned, from the choicest of the valiant, the bow of Jonathan did not relocate backward, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. (1-4-1)
כב מד֣ם חלל֗ים מח֙לב֙ גבור֔ים ק֚שת יה֣ונת֔ן ל֥א נש֖וג אח֑ור וח֣רב שא֔ול ל֥א תש֖וב ריקֽם	22 10		cb mdm kllim mklb giborim qwt ihontn la nwog akor vkrb waul la twub riqm
23 O Saul and Jonathan, so loved and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths were not separated, than eagles more fleet, than lions more valiant. (1-4-1)
כג שא֣ול ויהונת֗ן הנאהב֤ים והנעימם֙ בחייה֔ם ובמות֖ם ל֣א נפר֑דו מנשר֣ים ק֔לו מארי֖ות גבֽרו	26 12		cg waul vihontn hnahbim vhnyimim bkiihm ubmotm la nprdu mnwrim qlu mariot gbru
24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with enthrallments, who brought up trappings of gold upon your clothing. (1-4-1)
כד בנות֙ ישרא֔ל אל־שא֖ול בכ֑ינה המלבֽשכ֤ם שני֙ עם־עדנ֔ים הֽמעלה֙ עד֣י זה֔ב ע֖ל לבושכֽן	11 22		cd bnot iwral al-waul bcinh hmlbiwcm wni ym-ydnim hmylh ydi zhb yl lbuwcn
25 ♪C How are fallen the valiant in the midst of the battle. Jonathan on your high places is profaned. (C-1-4-1)
כה א֚יך נפל֣ו גבר֔ים בת֖וך המלחמ֑ה יה֣ונת֔ן על־במות֖יך חלֽל	12 11		ch aiç nplu giborim btoç hmlkmh ihontn yl-bmotiç kll
26 So troubled I am over you, my brother Jonathan. Very pleasant you have been for me. So wonderful was your love for me, more than the love of women. (1-4-1)
כו צר־ל֣י על֗יך אחי֙ יה֣ונת֔ן נע֥מת ל֖י מא֑ד נפלא֤תה אהבֽתך֙ ל֔י מאהב֖ת נשֽים	17 15		cv xr-li yliç aki ihontn nymt li maod nplath ahbtç li mahbt nwim
27 ♪C How are fallen the valiant and perished the inner pouches of battle. (C-1-1)
כז א֚יך נפל֣ו גבור֔ים ויאבד֖ו כל֥י מלחמֽה פ	15		cz aiç nplu giborim viabdu cli mlkmh p

Psalm 144

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 144: Syllables 330 Longest recitation 11 Tenor f# 25.76%

I have automated some of the analysis by listing the harmonics in parenthesis for each verse below. This frees us up to listen to the line shapes and ornaments. I can include a table of ornament density measurements to show the verses that may have some interest. In this psalm verse 1 ornaments 6 syllables of 24, or 25% and verse 5 has no accents above the text.

The ornaments above the text are very clear in the Hebrew below -- and I have increased the size of the font in the stylesheet for the blog. I could also identify rarer ornament combinations in a psalm, but I think that might be better in a separate post -- and I have probably already done it in some obscure table in a blog post. Instant musical criticism is difficult to imagine. We need to take time to listen either internally with sight reading or explicitly with performance. I can't shorten this necessary learning experience.

One shape in this psalm that I have not noted elsewhere so far is the approach to the cadence on the supertonic (ole-veyored) from lower single syllable bars. Note yerah in bars 8, 61, and 71. It turns out there is a rule. If a d is in the music and the music cadences on f#, then the d always precedes the f#. There are constraints on the sequences of the accents. The yerah may appear without an ole but not after it. There are 25 verses with atnah (A) and a d preceding it. The d always is in the earlier part of the verse. There are 2 verses in the Psalms with a d and no inner verse cadence. (There is no such constraint on the tevir, the d used only in the 21 books.)

1 Of David. Blessed is Yahweh my rock, the teacher of my hands to close combat, my fingers to war. (1-4-1)
א לדו֨ד ב֘ר֤וך יהו֨ה צור֗י הֽמלמ֣ד יד֣י לקר֑ב א֝צבעות֗י למלחמֽה	16 8		a ldvid bruç ihvh xuri hmlmd idii lqrb axbyotii lmlkmh
2 My kindness and my fortress, my retreat and my security, mine, my shield, and in him I have taken refuge, wrapping my people under me. (1-2-4-1)
ב חסד֥י ומצודתי֮ משגב֪י וֽמפלט֫י־ל֥י מ֭גני וב֣ו חס֑יתי הרוד֖ד עמ֣י תחתֽי	13 8 7		b ksdi umxudti mwgbi umplTi-li mgini ubo ksiti hrodd ymi tktii
3 Yahweh, what is this humanity that you know it, a mortal child that you devised it? (1-4-1)
ג יֽהו֗ה מה־א֭דם ותדע֑הו בן־א֝נ֗וש וֽתחשבֽהו	10 7		g ihvh mh-adm vtdyhu bn-anow vtkwbhu
4 ♪g Humanity is like futility, its days as a shadow passing away. (g-1-4-1)
ד א֭דם לה֣בל דמ֑ה י֝מ֗יו כצ֣ל עובֽר	7 6		d adm lhbl dmh imiv cxl yobr
5 ♪g Yahweh, bend your heavens and come down. Touch hills and they will smoke. (g-1-4-1)
ה י֭הוה הט־שמ֣יך ותר֑ד ג֖ע בהר֣ים וֽיעשֽנו	9 9		h ihvh hT-wmiç vtrd gy bhrim viywnu
6 A lightning bolt and you will disperse them. Send out your arrows and you will confuse them. (1-4-1)
ו בר֣וק ב֭רק ותפיצ֑ם של֥ח ח֝צ֗יך ותהמֽם	7 8		v broq brq utpixm wlk kixiç uthumm
7 Send out your hands from on high. Set me free and deliver me from abundant waters, from the hand of the children of the alien, (1-2-4-1)
ז של֥ח יד֗יך ממ֫ר֥ום פצ֣ני ו֭הצילני ממ֣ים רב֑ים מ֝י֗ד בנ֣י נכֽר	8 12 6		z wlk idiç mmrom pxni vhxilni mmim rbim mid bni ncr
8 whose mouths speak vanity, and their right hand a right hand of falsehood. (1-4-1)
ח אש֣ר פ֭יהם דבר־ש֑וא וֽ֝ימינ֗ם ימ֣ין שֽקר	7 7		k awr pihm dibr-wva viminm imin wqr
9 O God, a new song I will sing to you. On a ten-stringed lute I will sing a psalm to you. (1-4-1)
ט א‍ֽלה֗ים ש֣יר ח֭דש אש֣ירה ל֑ך בנ֥בל ע֝ש֗ור אזמרה־לֽך	9 9		T alohim wir kdw awirh lç bnbl ywor azmrh-lç
10 Giving salvation to kings, setting even David his servant free from a sword of evil. (1-2-1)
י הנות֥ן תשוע֗ה למל֫כ֥ים ה֭פוצה את־דו֥ד עבד֗ו מח֥רב רעֽה	9 13		i hnotn twuyh lmlcim hpoxh at-dvid ybdo mkrb ryh
11 Set me free and deliver me from the hand of the children of the alien, whose mouths speak vanity, and their right hand a right hand of falsehood, (1-2-4-1)
יא פצ֥ני והצילני֮ מי֪ד בֽני־נ֫כ֥ר אש֣ר פ֭יהם דבר־ש֑וא וֽ֝ימינ֗ם ימ֣ין שֽקר	13 7 7		ia pxni vhxilni mid bni-ncr awr pihm dibr-wva viminm imin wqr
12 that our sons may be as plants developed in their youth, with our daughters as cornerstones, dressed in the manner of a temple, (1-2-4-1)
יב אש֤ר בנ֨ינו כנטעים֮ מגדל֪ים בֽנעור֫יה֥ם בנות֥ינו כזוי֑ת מ֝חטב֗ות תבנ֥ית היכֽל	16 8 8		ib awr bninu cnTiyim mgudlim bnyurihm bnotinu czvviiot mkuTbot tbnit hicl
13 so our granaries are full furnished from kind to kind, our sheep by thousands, to ten thousands in our streets, (1-2-1)
יג מזו֣ינו מלאים֮ מפיק֥ים מז֗ן א֫ל־ז֥ן צאונ֣נו מ֭אליפות מרבב֗ות בחוצותֽינו	14 16		ig mzvvinu mlaim mpiqim mzn al-zn xannu malipot mrubbot bkuxotinu
14 our droves bearing burdens, without breach without sally, without complaint in our piazzas. (1-2-4-1)
יד אלופ֗ינו מֽסב֫ל֥ים אֽין־פ֭רץ וא֣ין יוצ֑את וא֥ין צ֝וח֗ה ברחבתֽינו	8 7 10		id alupinu msublim ain-prx vain ioxat vain xvvkh brkobotinu
15 Happy the people who are such to him. Happy the people who have Yahweh as their God. (1-4-1)
טו אשר֣י ה֭עם שכ֣כה ל֑ו אֽשר֥י ה֝ע֗ם שיהו֥ה אלהֽיו	8 10		Tv awri hym wcch lo awri hym wihvh alohiv

Psalm 10

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. 

Psalm 10 continues the broken acrostic started in Psalm 9.

Psalms 10:  Syllables 370 Longest recitation 12 Tenor f#  25.41% 1/2

1 LORD why do you stand in the distance, obscure in times of trouble? (1-4-1)
א למ֣ה י֭הוה תעמ֣ד ברח֑וק ת֝על֗ים לעת֥ות בצרֽה	10 8		a lmh ihvh tymod brkoq tylim lyitot bxrh
2 In pride criminal hotly pursues poor. Let them be arrested in those schemes they have devised. (1-4-1)
ב בגאו֣ת ר֭שע ידל֣ק ענ֑י יתפש֓ו במזמ֖ות ז֣ו חשֽבו	10 10		b bgavvt rwy idlq yni iitpwu bmzimot zu kwbu
3 For criminal boasted over its own desire, and blessed extortion, spurning Yahweh. (1-4-1)
ג כֽי־הל֣ל ר֭שע על־תאו֣ת נפש֑ו ובצ֥ע ב֝ר֗ך נ֘א֥ץ יהוֽה	11 10		g ci-hill rwy yl-tavvt npwo uboxy birç niax ihvh
4 Criminal looks down its un-searching nose. There is no God in all its multifarious schemes. (1-4-1)
ד רש֗ע כג֣בה א֭פו בל־ידר֑ש א֥ין א֝לה֗ים כל־מזמותֽיו	10 9		d rwy cgobh apo bl-idrow ain alohim cl-mzimotiv
5 ♪~ Its ways are twisted. In all times, high is your judgment, out of its sight. All its troubles, It snorts at them. (~-1-4-1)
ה י֘ח֤ילו דרכ֨יו בכל־ע֗ת מר֣ום מ֭שפטיך מנגד֑ו כל־צ֝ורר֗יו יפ֥יח בהֽם	18 8		h ikilu drciv bcl-yt mrom mwpTiç mngdo cl-xorriv ipik bhm
6 It said in its heart, I will not be moved, from generation to generation, in which there is no evil. (1-4-1)
ו אמ֣ר ב֭לבו בל־אמ֑וט לד֥ר ו֝ד֗ר אש֣ר לֽא־ברֽע	8 9		v amr blibo bl-amoT ldor vdor awr la-bry
7 Pucker full of imprecation and deceit and fraud, under its tongue toil and mischief, (1-4-1)
ז אל֤ה פ֣יהו מ֭לא ומרמ֣ות ות֑ך ת֥חת ל֝שונ֗ו עמ֥ל ואֽון	11 10		z alh pihu mla umrmot vtoç tkt lwono yml vavvn
8 it sits in the lurking places of the villages. In hidden places it slays the innocent, its eyes treasuring the hapless. (1-4-1)
ח יש֤ב במאר֬ב חצר֗ים בֽ֭מסתרים יהר֣ג נק֑י ע֝ינ֗יו לֽחלכ֥ה יצפֽנו	17 8		k iiwb bmarb kxrim bmstrim ihrog nqi yiniv lklch ixponu
9 It lies in wait in its hiding place like lion in lair. It lies in wait to seize the poor. It seizes the poor. It draws him away in Its net. (1-4-1)
ט יאר֬ב במסת֨ר כארי֬ה בסכ֗ה י֭ארב לחט֣וף ענ֑י יחט֥ף ע֝נ֗י במשכ֥ו ברשתֽו	20 10		T iarob bmstr carih bsuco iarob lkTof yni ikTof yni bmowco brwto
10 It crushes. It presses down, and hapless falls by its sheer numbers. (1-4-1)
י ידכ֥ה יש֑ח ונפ֥ל ב֝עצומ֗יו ח֣יל כאֽים	5 10		i idch iwok vnpl byxumiv kil caim
11 It said in its heart, God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see. (1-4-1)
יא אמ֣ר ב֭לבו ש֣כֽח א֑ל הסת֥יר פ֝נ֗יו בל־רא֥ה לנֽצח	8 10		ia amr blibo wck al hstir pniv bl-rah lnxk

Psalms 10:  Syllables 370 Longest recitation 12 Tenor f#  25.41% 2/2

12 Quickly arise! Yahweh God. Lift up your hand. Do not forget the afflicted. (1-4-1)
יב קומ֤ה יהו֗ה א֭ל נש֣א יד֑ך אל־תשכ֥ח ענוֽים	10 6		ib qumh ihvh al nwa idç al-twck ynvvim
13 Since when does criminal spurn God? It said in its heart, He will not search. (1-4-1)
יג על־מ֤ה נא֖ץ רש֥ע אלה֑ים אמ֥ר ב֝לב֗ו ל֣א תדרֽש	9 8		ig yl-mh niax rwy alohim amr blibo la tdrow
14 Regard you will, for you yourself take note of toil and grief to give by your hand. To you the hapless defer. The orphan you yourself will help. (1-2-4-1)
יד רא֡תה כֽי־את֤ה ע֘מ֤ל וכ֨עס תביט֮ לת֪ת בי֫ד֥ך ע֭ליך יעז֣ב חל֑כה י֝ת֗ום את֤ה הי֬ית עוזֽר	19 9 9		id rait ci-ath yml vcys tbiT ltt bidç yliç iyzob klch itom ath hiit yozr
15 ♪g Shatter the arm of criminal, and for an evil one, search out its crimes till none is found. (g-1-4-1)
טו ש֭בר זר֣וע רש֑ע ו֝ר֗ע תֽדרוש־רשע֥ו בל־תמצֽא	7 9		Tv wbor zroy rwy vry tdrow-rwyo bl-tmxa
16 Yahweh is king now and for ever. Perished are the nations from his land. (1-4-1)
טז יהו֣ה מ֭לך עול֣ם וע֑ד אבד֥ו ג֝וי֗ם מֽארצֽו	8 7		Tz ihvh mlç yolm vyd abdu goiim marxo
17 The desire of the afflicted you have heard Yahweh. Establish their heart. You will make your ear attend, (1-4-1)
יז תאו֬ת ענו֣ים שמ֣עת יהו֑ה תכ֥ין ל֝ב֗ם תקש֥יב אזנֽך	11 9		iz tavvt ynvvim wmyt ihvh tcin libm tqwib aoznç
18 to judge orphan and crushed. Adding no longer, to ruthlessness is mortal from the earth. (1-2-4-1)
יח לשפ֥ט ית֗ום ו֫ד֥ך בל־יוס֥יף ע֑וד לער֥ץ א֝נ֗וש מן־האֽרץ	6 4 9		ik lwpoT itom vdç bl-iosif yod lyrox anow mn-harx

Psalm 9

Psalms 9 and 10 comprise the first acrostic in the Psalms. Each acrostic celebrates the psalm prior to it. The connection here is signaled by the opening note.

Psalm 9:  Syllables 395 Longest recitation 12 Tenor f#  27.59% p. 1/2

The mode is major-minor, e major with a flattened 6th. This can be done as e-major with a consistently naturalized C, or as e minor with a consistently sharpened g, d and D if they occur. I had generated psalm 9 with the strange mode. This mode with the sharpened fourth and double semitone at the top of the scale did not seem to work here, so I changed the score by hand. (It's not very difficult with Musescore since it has excellent global selection and change.)

The world is not divided. My work in the Spirit is supported by a host of people, the creators of Musescore, the internet, MusicXML, and the devices and buggy software we all use, whether religious or not, not to mention the thousands of people I don't know who supply my medical, food, clothing, shelter, and energy needs. Those of you who seek violence and vengeance, take care that you don't wish upon yourselves your own destruction.

This comment raises the question as to how we read psalms like this one and what mode we assign to it.

Would your ear pick up the tri-cola followed by the g opening verse 8?

1 ♪g For the leader on death of the son. A psalm of David. (g-1-1)
א ל֭מנצח על־מ֥ות לב֗ן מזמ֥ור לדוֽד	13		a lmnxk yl-mut lbn mzmor ldvid
2 I will thank Yahweh with all my heart. I will recount all your wonders. (1-4-1)
ב אוד֣ה י֭הוה בכל־לב֑י א֝ספר֗ה כל־נפלאותֽיך	8 9		b aodh ihvh bcl-libi asprh cl-nplaotiç
3 I will be glad and I will be elated in you. I will sing a psalm to your name Most High. (1-4-1)
ג אשמח֣ה ואעלצ֣ה ב֑ך אזמר֖ה שמך֣ עליֽון	8 7		g awmkh vaylxh bç azmrh wmç ylion
4 But when my enemies turn back, let them stumble and perish from your presence. (1-4-1)
ד בשוב־אויב֥י אח֑ור יכשל֥ו ו֝יאבד֗ו מפנֽיך	6 10		d bwub-aoibii akor iicwlu viabdu mpniç
5 For you have made my judgment and my case. You sit enthroned judging right. (1-4-1)
ה כֽי־ע֭שית משפט֣י ודינ֑י יש֥בת ל֝כס֗א שופ֥ט צֽדק	9 10		h ci-ywit mwpTi vdini iwbt lcisa wopT xdq
6 God, you rebuked the nations. You made wickedness perish. You have erased their name forever and ever. (1-4-1)
ו גע֣רת ג֭וים אב֣דת רש֑ע שמ֥ם מ֝ח֗ית לעול֥ם ועֽד	10 10		v gyrt goiim aibdt rwy wmm mkit lyolm vyd
7 Here O enemy, completed are ruins in perpetuity, and cities you have blotted out. Perished is their memory of them. (1-2-4-1)
ז הֽאוי֨ב ת֥מו חרב֗ות ל֫נ֥צח וער֥ים נת֑שת אב֖ד זכר֣ם הֽמה	11 6 6		z haoib tmu korbot lnxk vyrim ntwt abd zcrm hmh
8 ♪g Verily, Yahweh forever sits. He has established his throne for judgment. (g-1-4-1)
ח וֽ֭יהוה לעול֣ם יש֑ב כונ֖ן למשפ֣ט כסאֽו	7 7		k vihvh lyolm iiwb conn lmwpT cisao
9 And he himself will judge the world in righteousness. He will make the case for the tribes in uprightness. (1-4-1)
ט וה֗וא ישפֽט־תב֥ל בצ֑דק יד֥ין ל֝אמ֗ים במישרֽים	9 9		T vhua iwpoT-tbl bxdq idin laumim bmiwrim
10 ♪~ And Yahweh will be a retreat for the crushed, a- retreat in times of trouble. (~1-4-1)
י ו֘יה֤י יהו֣ה משג֣ב לד֑ך מ֝שג֗ב לעת֥ות בצרֽה	8 8		i vihi ihvh mwgb ldç mwgb lyitot bxrh
11 And they will trust in you knowing your name, for you Yahweh do not forsake those searching for you. (1-4-1)
יא ויבטח֣ו ב֭ך יודע֣י שמ֑ך כ֤י לֽא־עז֖בת דרש֣יך יהוֽה	11 9		ia vibTku bç iodyi wmç ci la-yzbt dorwiç ihvh
12 Zion in Zion where Yahweh sits, let all sing a psalm. Evident among the peoples is his prodigality. (1-4-1)
יב זמר֗ו ל֭יהוה יש֣ב צי֑ון הג֥ידו ב֝עמ֗ים עלֽילותֽיו	8 10		ib zmru lihvh iowb xion hgidu bymim ylilotiv
13 Because searching out blood, he remembers them. He does not forget the outcry of the afflicted. (1-4-1)
יג כֽי־דר֣ש ד֭מים אות֣ם זכ֑ר לֽא־ש֝כ֗ח צעק֥ת ענוֽים	8 8		ig ci-dorw dmim aotm zcr la-wck xyqt ynvvim

Psalm 9: 2/2

14 Have mercy, be gracious to me Yahweh. See my impoverishment from those hating me, you who lift me high from the gates of death, (1-4-1)
יד חֽננ֬ני יהו֗ה רא֣ה ע֭ניי משנא֑י מ֝רוממ֗י מש֥ערי מֽות	12 9		id konnni ihvh rah yonii mwonaii mrommi mwyri mvvt
15 so that I will recount all your praises, in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in your salvation. (1-2-4-1)
טו למ֥ען אספר֗ה כֽל־תהל֫ת֥יך בשֽער֥י בת־צי֑ון א֝ג֗ילה בישועתֽך	12 7 8		Tv lmyn asprh cl-thilotiç bwyri bt-xion agilh biwuytç
16 The nations sink in the destruction they made. In this net that they buried, their foot is caught. (1-4-1)
טז טבע֣ו ג֭וים בש֣חת עש֑ו ברֽשת־ז֥ו ט֝מ֗נו נלכד֥ה רגלֽם	9 12		Tz Tbyu goiim bwkt ywu brwt-zu Tmnu nlcdh rglm
17 ♪C Yahweh is known, Judgment he makes. In the work of his palms he lays a trap for the wicked. Meditation. Selah. (C-1-2-4-1)
יז נ֤וד֨ע יהוה֮ משפ֪ט ע֫ש֥ה בפ֣על כ֭פיו נוק֣ש רש֑ע הגי֥ון סֽלה	8 9 5		iz nody ihvh mwpT ywh bpoyl cpiv noqw rwy higion slh
18 Into their grave the wicked will turn, all nations that forget God. (1-4-1)
יח יש֣ובו רשע֣ים לשא֑ולה כל־ג֝וי֗ם שכח֥י אלהֽים	9 9		ik iwubu rwyim lwaolh cl-goiim wcki alohim
19 ♪C Causes of the needy will not always be forgotten. The expectation of the poor will not perish for ever. (C-1-4-1)
יט כ֤י ל֣א ל֭נצח ישכ֣ח אבי֑ון תקו֥ת ע֝ני֗ים תאב֥ד לעֽד	10 9		iT ci la lnxk iiwck abion tqvvt yniim tabd lyd
20 Arise Yahweh, let a mortal not be strong. Let the nations be judged in your presence. (1-4-1)
כ קומ֣ה י֭הוה אל־יע֣ז אנ֑וש ישפט֥ו ג֝וי֗ם על־פנֽיך	9 9		c qumh ihvh al-iyoz anow iiwpTu goiim yl-pniç
21 ♪~ Impose, Yahweh. Fear to them. let the nations know their mortality. Selah. (~1-2-4-1)
כא ש֘ית֤ה יהו֨ה מור֗ה ל֫ה֥ם ידע֥ו גוי֑ם אנ֖וש ה֣מה סֽלה	8 4 6		ca with ihvh morh lhm iidyu goiim anow hmh slh

Psalm 8

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. 

Psalm 8:  Syllables 192 Longest recitation 8 Tenor f#  25.52%

Verse 1, the incipit is a single phrase, low tessitura. Performance is available here. Notice that the edition they are using has a revia-mugrash in verse 1. Not there in the Aleppo or Leningrad codices.

I decided to run a select statement to show the harmonic structure for the verses. I learned immediately that the revia mugrash only occurs in the Leningrad codex once in a bi-colon-f#, Psalm 58 verse 3. We'll see that when it comes up. The shape is in the Aleppo codex.

As instructed years ago by David Mitchell, Precentor and Director of Music at Holy Trinity, Brussels, from whom I first learned of this music in 2010, I must verify every psalm against the Aleppo codex. There are so many errors in the later editions. The accents were misunderstood from the moment they were included in that 9th century text.

Harmonic structure for psalm 8: Verse 1, 1-1; Verse 2, 1-4-1; Verse 3, 1-2-4-1; Verses 4 to 10, 1-4-1. Ornaments are few except for the joyful verse 3 (corrected to avoid the premature drop to the tonic in verse 3). Note the exceptional verse 7 with the start of a geresh but truncated by munah instead of the expected revia.

1 For the leader on musing. A psalm of David.
א למנצ֥ח עֽל־הגת֗ית מזמ֥ור לדוֽד	13		a lmnxk yl-hgitit mzmor ldvid
2 Yahweh our Lord how majestic your name in all the earth, whose splendour is chanted above the heavens.
ב יהו֤ה אדנ֗ינו מה־אד֣יר ש֭מך בכל־הא֑רץ אש֥ר תנ֥ה ה֝ודך֗ על־השמֽים	16 11		b ihvh adoninu mh-adir wmç bcl-harx awr tnh hodç yl-hwmiim
3 From the mouths of babies and nurslings, you have founded strength, for the sake of your adversaries, that you might cease enemy and vengeance.
ג מפ֤י עולל֨ים וֽינקים֮ יס֪דת֫־ע֥ז למ֥ען צורר֑יך להשב֥ית א֝וי֗ב ומתנקֽם	11 6 9		g mpi yollim vionqim iisdt-yoz lmyn xorriç lhwbit aoib umtnqm
4 For I see your heavens that your fingers make, moon and stars which you have established.
ד כֽי־ארא֣ה ש֭מיך מעש֣י אצבעת֑יך יר֥ח ו֝כוכב֗ים אש֣ר כונֽנתה	14 12		d ci-arah wmiç mywi axbyotiç irk vcocbim awr connt
5 What is a mortal? for you remember it. And a child of humanity? for you visit it,
ה מֽה־אנ֥וש כֽי־תזכר֑נו ובן־א֝ד֗ם כ֣י תפקדֽנו	8 9		h mh-anow ci-tzcrnu ubn-adm ci tpqdnu
6 And you make it a little less than God, and with glory and honour you crown it.
ו ותחסר֣הו מ֭עט מאלה֑ים וכב֖וד והד֣ר תעטרֽהו	10 10		v vtksrhu myT malohim vcbod vhdr tyTrhu
7 ♪g You give it governance over what your hands make. All, you put under its feet.
ז ת֭משילהו במעש֣י יד֑יך כ֝ל ש֣תה תֽחת־רגלֽיו	11 8		z tmwilhu bmywi idiç col wth tkt-rgliv
8 Flock and drove, all of them, and even beasts of the field.
ח צנ֣ה ואלפ֣ים כל֑ם ו֝ג֗ם בהמ֥ות שדֽי	8 7		k xonh valpim culm vgm bhmot wdii
9 Bird of the heavens and fish of the sea, traversing the paths of the seas.
ט צפ֣ור ש֭מים ודג֣י הי֑ם ע֝ב֗ר ארח֥ות ימֽים	8 6		T xipor wmiim udgi him yobr aorkot imim
10 Yahweh our Lord, how majestic your name in all the earth.
י יהו֥ה אדנ֑ינו מֽה־אד֥יר ש֝מך֗ בכל־האֽרץ	6 10		i ihvh adoninu mh-adir wmç bcl-harx