My Wedding Stuff - 2. David and Jonathan, "He loved him as he loved himself"

David and Jonathan, "He loved him as he loved himself"

Sacred Motet for the blessings of a same-sex union

for Choir, Tenor and Baritone

Note: I wrote this piece for an organist friend of mine last year hoping he'd compose the music for it. There is still time for him to write a grand church song based on it (but alas, not for my nuptials). I hope you can all send out some positive energy to help motivate him. BTW, the reason this can be called 'sacred' is because all the words are from the Bible.

[Part One – Choir]

CHOIR:

My heart exalts in the Lord,

My strength is exalted in God.

I have trumped my enemy,

And rejoice in my victory –

For there is no God like our Lord,

And there is no rock like our God.[1]

Speak boastfully no longer,

Nor speak arrogance from your mouth,

For the All-knowing is Lord,

And He who judges every deed.

The mighty's bows are broken,

While the tottering walk in strength –

The Lord makes poor and makes rich,

While he humbles and he exalts.

He raises up the needy,

And from ashes lifts up the poor –

He seats them with the mighty,

And makes a throne their legacy. [2]

My heart exalts in the Lord,

My strength is exalted in God.

I have trumped my enemy,

And rejoice in my victory –

For there is no God like our Lord,

And there is no rock like our God.

[Part Two – Narrative and Psalm]

TENOR:

Whereupon the field of battle,

Where young David slew Goliath,

Saul and his fine son Jonathan

Were presented with the hero.

By the time David was speaking,

Jonathan had fallen in love

With David so dearly that,

His life depended upon him:

He loved him as he loved himself. [3]

That day David did not return

To live within his father's house,

For he and Jonathan entered

Into a bond before the Lord.

They shared all their worldly goods

Since David had fallen in love

With Jonathan so dearly that,

His life depended upon him:

He loved him as he loved himself. [4]

[Psalm]

BARITONE:

"Hearken to my words, O Lord,

Attend to my sighing.

Listen to my call, My God –

At dawn, You hear my voice,

And I, bring my plea before You.

You delight not in wickedness,

No evil man remains with you,

The arrogant cannot stand up,

And You destroy all their falsehood,

For the Lord abhors all deceit.

In You let all take refuge

And be glad forever.

Shield them who in You find joy –

For You bless the just man,

And protect us with Your good will."[5]

[Part Three – Narrative for Choir and Soloists]

CHOIR:

Seeing how successful they were,

Jonathan's father Saul conceived

To separate the two of them.

Jonathan warned, and David fled.[6]

BARITONE:

"What have I done?" He asked him.

"What offence does your father

Hold against me to seek my life?"

TENOR:

"My father," spoke Jonathan,

"Does not conceal from me, so –

He cannot wish to kill you."

"But warn me if it is true.

Do this in kindness because…"

BARITONE AND TENOR:

"The Lord's holy bond is between us,

And is that into which you have brought me.[7]

For my life depends upon you,

And I love you more than I love myself." [8]

CHOIR:

Jonathan was good to his word.

He sounded out and thus confirmed

His father's dark intentions.

And in his love for David,

Jonathan renewed his oath to him:

He loved him as he loved himself. [9]

TENOR:

David rose and prostrate himself

Three times on the ground before him

In homage to Jonathan.

BARITONE:

They kissed each other and renewed

The vows they made before the Lord.

At last, Jonathan told David,

"Go in peace, and keep what we two

Have sworn by the name of the Lord."

BARITONE AND TENOR:

"The Lord shall be between you and me,

And our posterity, forever.[10]

For my life depends upon you,

And I love you more than I love myself." [11]

[Part Four – Psalm]

TENOR:

"Do me justice, O God,

For I've walked in integrity.

For I have trusted in the Lord,

And done so without wavering.

Do search me out, O God,

Test me with all of Thy goodness.

Test me down to my heart and soul,

And see that I shall not waver!

For your kindness is before my eyes,

And I walk in your truth.

I've no time to waste on worthless men,

Or consort with hypocrites.

I hate the assembly of haters,

And with them will not stay.

I absolve my hands in innocence,

As is fit for your altar.

My voice raises thankfulness for You,

Recounting your wondrous deeds,

For I love the house in which you dwell,

The place where you pitch your glory.

I walk in integrity,

And You bless me with your mercy.

My feet stand on the highest ground,

And amongst men, I praise my Lord.

Do search me out, O God,

Test me with all of Thy goodness.

Test me down to my heart and soul,

And see that I shall not waver!"[12]

[Part Five – Prelude and Fugato for Choir and Soloists]

CHOIR:

To they who will make a vow,

The Lord's own pledge will be with them –

For those who will sleep in love,

The Lord will bless the sleep of the just.

CHOIR WITH BARITONE AND TENOR:

For the pillars of the Earth

Are these He's set the world upon –

For He will guard faithfulness,

And cast the wicked to darkness.[13]

[Fugato]

TUTTI:

For not by strength does man prevail,

And the Lord's foes shall be shattered.

The most high in heaven thunders,

And judges the ends of the Earth.[14]

Amen.