Psalm 19 – An Exercise
Psalm 19 – An Exercise
If we are able to see the energy of the text, and especially if we can feel the music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, let us try reading the text aloud while simultaneously listening to it in a recorded version presented in the video [or in any other performance of the piece].
Before publication, I suggested this exercise to several people. Their reactions were completely different and not entirely consistent with the ideas promoted in the text.
The heavens declare the glory of God, Link
and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
It is not speech, nor are they words,
whose sound is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.
There He has pitched a tent for the sun,
which comes forth like a bridegroom from his chamber,
and rejoices like a mighty man running his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens,
and makes its circuit to the other end;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is radiant, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
the judgments of the Lord are true and altogether righteous.
More desirable are they than gold,
than much pure gold;
sweeter also than honey
flowing from the honeycomb.
Though Your servant gives heed to them,
in keeping them there is great reward.
Yet who can discern his errors?
Cleanse me from those hidden from me.
Also keep Your servant from pride;
let it not rule over me!
Then I shall be blameless
and free from great transgression.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
find favor before You,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!
This post has 1 comment
s_majda writes:
31/07/2014 at 15:25 (Edit)
[01:18:32] Bartłomiej:
German is not suitable for singing Psalms ;P
Besides, the composition does not entirely fit the content for me. I do not know whether Bach was familiar with the specifics of Hebrew, but Hebrew contains nikudot—marks placed above, below, and sometimes within letters. They modify pronunciation, substitute for vowels, and indicate accentuation, which serves for proper intonation during reading and/or singing.
In Hebrew, syllables such as sh and ch occur quite frequently, giving it a certain similarity to Polish. In modern Hebrew there is even a j sound (as in “judge”), which was borrowed from Polish through Yiddish into Modern Hebrew.
Here is Psalm 19 in Hebrew:
http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2619.htm
http://www.iwrit.pl/alefbet.php
Opublikowano: 30/05/2026
Autor: Sławomir Majda
Kateogrie: God
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