How Sweet the Sound

Indeed, how very sweet the sound was tonight's performance by Deo Cantamus.... absolutely magnificent!  In fact, I'm not so sure there's an adjective that could describe just how beautiful the concert was.  Singing, instrumentals... and handbells!

The highlight of the night for me definitely was the world premiere performance of Psalm 149.  I've previously mentioned my interest being piqued, especially when I saw the text for the composition:

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song,

and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him:

let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise his name in the dance:

let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people:

he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Let the saints be joyful in glory:

let them sing aloud upon their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,

and a twoedged sword in their hand;

To execute vengeance upon the heathen,

and punishments upon the people;

To bind their kings with chains,

and their nobles with fetters of iron;

To execute upon them the judgment written:

this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 149

Just how would the Mr. Joshua Bauder piece together the arrangement for a psalm of praise-turned-judgment?  The proper balance would be imperative.  I found myself wondering whether it would have an understated, simplistic melody, which would certainly be the easier method, or something more extravagant.  I had weeks to ponder this, and even so, there is no way I could possibly have come close to imagining something so beautiful or so reverent.  It was marvelous.  The chorale, a soloist, an organ, several stringed instruments, and handbells blended together in this truly special piece.  Sincere, lovely praise with a powerful climax, culminating with a strong refrain (for lack of the appropriate word) of "Praise ye the Lord" before quietly, peacefully fading away.

Another thing of note is that both Kimball and Steve were among the chorale members.  Steve even had a solo part in the song Amazing Grace.

There is no possible way to walk away feeling disappointed in my time there.  The fellowship afterward was also sweet, but there's nothing on earth that surpasses praising and worshipping the Saviour.