Composer

:

Andrew Millington

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:25

Psalm 3 is a choral work composed by Andrew Millington, a British composer and conductor. The piece was composed in 1995 and premiered in the same year. It is a setting of Psalm 3, a biblical text that speaks of trust in God in the midst of adversity. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the psalm. The first movement is marked "Moderato" and is characterized by a sense of uncertainty and fear. The choir sings the opening lines of the psalm, "Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!" in a hushed and hesitant manner. The music gradually builds in intensity as the choir repeats the phrase "But you, Lord, are a shield around me" with increasing confidence. The second movement is marked "Andante" and is more reflective in nature. The choir sings the lines "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me" in a gentle and peaceful manner. The music is characterized by a sense of calm and reassurance, reflecting the psalmist's trust in God's protection. The final movement is marked "Allegro" and is the most triumphant of the three. The choir sings the final lines of the psalm, "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people," with great energy and enthusiasm. The music is characterized by a sense of joy and celebration, reflecting the psalmist's confidence in God's ultimate victory. Overall, Psalm 3 is a powerful and moving choral work that captures the essence of the biblical text it sets. Millington's use of contrasting musical styles and moods effectively conveys the psalmist's journey from fear and uncertainty to trust and confidence in God's protection.

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