Sunday, June 23, 2024

He commandeth the stormy wind (Henry Purcell)

   They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
   These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
   For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
   They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
   They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.
   Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
   He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
   Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 

--Henry Purcell, Psalm 107 

To hear Henry Purcell’s beautiful setting of Psalm 107 as sung by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, click on the video below: 

Image source: https://www.reform-magazine.co.uk/2013/01/abiding-peace/
Video source (including an explanation of the origins of the piece as well as an analysis of the music itself)

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