Justin Appel

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today is the feast of St. Matthew the Apostle. The Psalm today comes from the ‘He’ section of Psalm 119. Accordingly, I would like to take a moment to highlight a setting of this psalm by William Byrd, and English organist and composer during the latter part of the 16th century who studied with Thomas Tallis, and who worked at Lincoln Cathedral and the Chapel Royal.

This sort of setting comes from a body of liturgical pieces called ‘verse anthems’ — although this particular work sets a specific psalm text. The principle is easily described: a soloist (here a soprano) alternates with the whole choir, each singing alternate verses through the piece. The result, in this case, is a lovely, chordal, and easily understandable iteration of the text, which is taken from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer psalter.

It seems that this setting may have been designed for use at a daily office, such as Evensong, because it concludes with the ‘Gloria Patri’, also divided into two alternating ‘verses’. (For those of you who enjoy liturgical patterns, the ‘Glory be to the Father’ text usually follows psalms and canticles at daily offices, but not at Eucharistic services.)

This psalm setting continues to be a perennial favorite at Saint Philip’s, and we often sing it as an anthem at Evensong. It’s a perfect opportunity for a youth chorister — or two — to practice singing short, manageable solos. This setting is always a delight to sing, and the prayer, substantial.

Yours in Christ,
Justin

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes : and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law : yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments : for therein is my desire.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies : and not to covetousness.
O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity : and quicken thou me in thy way.
O stablish thy word in thy servant : that I may fear thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, and is now and every shall be : world without end. Amen.

- Psalm 119:33-38 and the Gloria Patri