Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 283
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
INTROIT (Ps. 54: 17, 18, 20, 23)
1. Cum clamarem ad Dominum, 1. When I cried to the Lord, he
exaudivit vocem meant, ab his qui heard my voice, against them that
appropinquant mihi: 2. et humi- draw near to me; 2. and he who is
liavit eos qui est ante saecula, et before all ages, and remains for
manet in aeternum: 3. jacta cogi- ever, humbled them: 3. cast thy
tatum tuum in Domino, et ipse te care upon the Lord and he shall
enutriet. Ps. Exaudi, Deus, ora- sustain thee. Ps. Hear, 0 God, my
tionem meam, et ne despexeris de- prayer, and despise not my suppliprecationem
meam: * intende mihi, cation: * be attentive to me and
et exaudi me. hear me.
Each of the three phrases closes with the same melodic formula.
Besides, the first and second phrase also have the preceding neums in
common over (appropin)-quant mihi and aeternum. In general, a close
relation exists between these two phrases, even exteriorly, since both
are made up of three members, while the third phrase has only two;
and their interior relation is still more intimate. The first phrase speaks
of the fruits of prayer; the second of the manner in which prayer is heard.
Hence, these two preliminary statements may serve as two premises,
from which the third follows as a conclusion; therefore "cast thy care
upon the Lord!"
The first phrase with its upward striving expresses both an earnest
petition and the tension of soul which accompanies it. Then comes a
thankful, brilliant exaudivit: I have been heard. The second phrase
several times extends beyond the highest note of the first. In the small
phrase qui est ante saecula we twice hear the fourth g-c, and once the
fourth a-d. We get some inkling of the eternity of God, which is without
beginning, from the large intervals. Some purely syllabic passages occur
in the third phrase. Its melodic line is the symbol and expression of a
certain effort, a conquering of the difficulties which present themselves
to wavering, doubting, short-sighted human beings who ought to live
entirely by faith and throw all their care upon the Lord. If this is done
—how quiet and sure is the tone of the seconds over et ipse tel—then
He will nourish and sustain us with paternal affection and will royally
reward all our hopes and expectations. Even today we shall see the fulfillment
of these words in the sacrificial Banquet.
We may sing the words of the psalm-verse in the spirit of the publican
of whom the Gospel makes mention. He does not confide in himself;
he does not look upon himself as just. He realizes, moreover, that God