Psalm 23 (Adonai Roi Lo Ekhsar)
Jacob Meiner, soloist
For three years at Temple Israel of New Rochelle, I had a young singer from the synagogue—Jacob Meiner—sing the 23rd Psalm from The Chichester Psalms of Leonard Bernstein for the Memorial Service on Yom Kippur as the alto soloist. His voice and presence were quite moving.
Then, his voice changed!
Instead of trying to find another setting of the 23rd Psalm for him to sing for Yizkor, I decided to write Jacob his own 23rd Psalm for his specific voice. I was excited to do so, as it gave me an opportunity to write in a way that I had been meaning to do with other psalms—that is to set a Hebrew text with an antiphonal English translation. I feel that the result was very effective.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Teach My Lips a Blessing
the music of Erik Contzius
