586. As pants the hart for cooling streams
Psalm XLII
New Version, Tate and Brady, 1698
Psalm 42:1, 2, 5, 9, 11. Exiled from the House of God.
The psalmist, alone among taunting heathen strangers, yearns to return to the place of worship where he may again commune with God. His faith is sorely tried but it does not fail him. He recalls the mercy of God and renews his hope in God.
For comments on New Version, Tate and Brady, see [Hymn 583].
MUSIC. SPOHR is an adaptation from the solo and chorus, “Though all thy friends forsake thee,” in Calvary, an oratorio by Spohr.
Ludwig Spohr, 1784-1859, a German musician, born at Brunswick, was a composer and noted violinist. He went annually on concert tours throughout Europe, with brilliant success. Few musicians have enjoyed so high a reputation with their contemporaries. Many musicians of his time considered Spohr a greater composer than Beethoven. His reputation, however, did not stand the test of time, partly because his compositions are characterized by a peculiar chromaticism. Most of his numerous works, including operas, oratorios, 34 string quartets, violin concertos, etc., have been forgotten. His oratorios, Calvary and The Last Judgment, lasted longest.
The tune, “St. Anne,” now fittingly sung to “O God our help in ages past,” ([No. 61]), was composed for this psalm, and may be used as an alternative tune. The Psalm has also been set to “Martyrdom” ([579]).