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Composer
Roy Hopp
Text George Herbert
Voicing SATB, organ
Topics Shepherd (God as), Assurance
Scripture reference Psalm 23
Lectionary usage Lent 4A, Easter 4ABC, Proper 11B, Proper 23A
Price $2.25 (U.S.)
Length 3' 50" Released 3/93
Catalog no. 418-617
Difficulty Mod. diff.
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Description
A paraphrase by George Herbert of this beloved psalm, and Hopp has written a lovely and pastorale setting of these words. After a forceful stanza, "Surely, the sweet and wondrous love shall measure all my days," Hopp returns to his beautiful melody for a gentle reminder that "The God of love my shepherd is, and I am his."
Text
The God of love my shepherd is,
and he that doth me feed:
while he is mine and I am his,
what can I want or need?
He leads me to the tender grass,
where I both feed and rest;
then to the streams that gently pass:
in both I have the best.
Or if I stray, he doth convert
and bring my mind in frame:
and all this not for my desert,
but for his holy name.
Yea, in death's shady black abode
well may I walk, not fear:
for thou art with me; and thy rod
to guide, thy staff to bear.
Nay, thou dost make me sit and dine,
ev'n in my enemy's sight:
my head with oil, my cup with wine
runs over day and night.
Surely the sweet and wondrous love
shall measure all my days;
and as it never shall remove,
so neither shall my praise.
The God of love my shepherd is,
and I am his, what can I want or need?
Text: Psalm 23, para. George Herbert
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Reviews
"Roy Hopp's setting of the poet's take on Psalm 23 is [a] real find. With its sweet melody and singable lines, it is true to the spirit of Herbert's poetry. This piece is easily within the grasp of a well-trained choir, for the organ provides plenty of support." -Pastoral Music, August-September 1994
"The God of Love My Shepherd Is is a paraphrase of Psalm 23. The opening refrain also serves as a conclusion to this anthem. Each couplet is set for a different voicing: unison, women, SATB, men, SATB, and unison, this last setting being extremely maestoso."-Modern Liturgy, May 1994.
"After a conventional beginning, Roy Hopp's setting of The 23rd Psalm turns out to be winsome and winning; its late climax and soft ending are very well paced. This could be a new Good Shepherd Sunday winner at a time when post-Paschal energy is predictably low!" -AAM Journal, Dec. 1994 |
