No More a Stranger or a Guest
Composer David Ashley White
Text Psalm 23, para. Isaac Watts (16741748)
Voicing Two-part choir, C instruments, and handbells (or keyboard)
Topics Shepherd (God as), Assurance
Length 3' 35" Price $1.75 (U.S.) Released 12/98
Catalog no. 410-833 Difficulty Moderately easy
Discography Praise the Spirit: Sacred Music of David Ashley White (Gothic Records, 520-254)
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Description Simple and effective pieces are hard to come by: but here is one. Scored for 2-part choir, treble instrument in C, and three octaves of handbells, this arrangement of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" (hymntune: Resignation) is understated, yet hauntingly beautiful. The handbell part employs much ostinato, and the vocal parts, easily sung by any type of choir (treble, male, or mixed), include a canon on the melody in the final stanza.
Anthem text
My shepherd will supply my need,
Jehovah is his Name;
in pastures fresh he makes me feed
beside the living stream.
He brings my wand'ring spirit back
when I forsake his ways,
and leads me for his mercy's sake,
in paths of truth and grace.
When I walk through the shades of death,
thy presence is my stay;
one word of thy supporting breath
drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
doth still my table spread;
my cup with blessings overflows,
thy oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God
attend me all my days
oh, may thy house be mine abode
and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come;
no more a stranger or a guest,
but like a child at home.
-Psalm 23, para. Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
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