Let your whole being rejoice to God together with the congregation using this grand and triumphant setting of Psalm 16, “Therefore My Heart Is Glad”. Here the entire psalm is through-composed, interspersed with a congregational antiphon, set for organ with brass quartet and timpani. The text is carefully treated throughout as the piece propels to a breathtaking end. This psalm is appointed for Easter Day, Holy Saturday, and several Sundays after Pentecost.
The Antiphon: “Therefore My Heart Is Glad . . .”
This setting of Psalm 16 was written for the 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music, held at Concordia University, Nebraska, in July of 2204. The composer, Jeffrey Blersch, is professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska.
The ninth verse of Psalm 16 is employed throughout the piece as an antiphon: “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.” When sung with a choir and congregation, the congregation takes up this antiphon several times throughout the psalm after the choir introduces it at the beginning.
The psalm is set in a jaunty and triumphant 6/8 meter and is accompanied by brass and timpani in addition to organ. The melody of the antiphon matches the jubilance of the text, from the first phrase’s ascent from the tonic (D) to the dominant (A) to the mediant (F#) on the words “Therefore my heart is glad” to the repeated ascending lines for the word “rejoices.”
Psalm 16: The Verses
Interspersed among the numerous antiphons are groups of verses from the psalm. After the initial double antiphon, the choir sings the first three verses of the psalm, beginning in unison before separating into SATB voices. The melody and movement of these three verses somewhat imitate the antiphon’s melody.
After the antiphon is sung again, the choir sings verse 4, this time in a minor key (D minor), a stark contrast to the antiphon’s exultant D major. This modulation illustrates the text of verse 4: “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply.” The key moves into B-flat major for verses 5 and 6 before returning to D major for another antiphon.
Verses 7 and 8 are sung primarily either by the sopranos or, in the case of the second half of verse 8, by all voices in unison: “Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”
After another antiphon, the choir sings the final verses of the Psalm—10 and 11—before a final antiphon. The brass plays an additional fanfare during and after the concluding antiphon, and the choir finishes off the piece with a coda on the line “My flesh also dwells secure.”
Using This Psalm
Psalm 16 is the appointed psalm for Easter Day, and it would be a magnificent addition to a festive celebration of The Resurrection of Our Lord if your church traditionally employs a full choir, brass ensemble, and timpani to mark the festal day. Aside from Easter, this psalm setting would be suitable for any festival service, hymn festival, or occasion for festive sacred music.
Scripture: ESV®.
Include this choral setting in your lineup for Easter Day or Holy Saturday.
