Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

262 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
find them in plainsong. The passage might have a paralyzing effect upon
us, did we not know that in the holy Sacrifice God's power will be made
evident, mightily overcoming every enemy of our soul, and bringing us
every needed grace. Of this divine strength we become partakers in
Holy Communion. In the ancient manuscripts this Offertory has the
following conclusion: "Look upon me and hear me. I will praise the
Lord, who has bestowed His graces (bona) upon me." Praevdlui seems
in a certain sense an allusion to yesterday's Magnificat antiphon: Praevdluit
David in Philistaeum. David conquered the Philistine with a sling
and a pebble from the brook. But it also mentions the source of this
heroic strength when it adds: in nomine Domine—"in the name of the
Lord."
The similarity of ending over morte and eum is still more accentuated
in the old manuscripts, since morte as well as eum has a virga and
a climacus (not a pes subbipunctis in the one case). Over eum in the
motive of meus, (e g f efff) expands into g a g d f f f.
A better effect will be obtained if the piece is sung a tone higher.
COMMUNION (Ps. 17: 3)
1. Dominus firmamentum meum, 1. The Lord is my firmament, and
et refugium meum, et liberator my refuge and my deliverer: 2. my
meus: 2. Deus meus adjutor meus. God is my helper.
In content, in feeling, and in mode this Communion is much like
the Introit. We now go out into everyday life with its demands upon our
energies—but God is our strength. Soon we are again threatened by
dangers and death-dealing arrows—but God is our refuge. If we meet
opposition interiorly—God is our helper. Just now He has again become
my God (Deus meus) in Holy Communion. Hence I have every reason
to be consoled. "May the Sacrament we have received be our sure
defense" (Postcommunion).
Quickening and strengthening confidence pervades this melody.
This is already indicated by beginning on the dominant of the mode;
also by the accumulation of the pressus of which there are no fewer than
seven in this short chant. One is immediately struck by the similar endings
over firmamentum meum and adjutor meus. But the opening f efdfc
over Dominus, repeated a third higher over Deus as a g a f e d, has a
very definite appeal. To this must be added the sober descent and confident
ascent over refugium meum and the victorious, well-prepared
accent over liberator. It is a song of joyful and unshakable confidence
in God. In this manner the Apostles might have sung after the miraculous
catch of fishes related in today's Gospel. Fired with this confidence,