Robert Morehead

April 19, 2015

5. A spiritual take on a motet of Handel

 Today, for our Introit, the Sanctuary Choir will sing a short vocal motet of the Baroque composer.  This motet is a response to Psalm 141.  Chris Juby via twitter summarizes it this way: "O LORD, may my prayer be as incense. Do not turn my heart to evil. Let the righteous rebuke me. Keep me from the traps of the wicked."
Handel's textual response reminds us that our only response to evil and sin is trusting alone in our Savior Jesus Christ.  Set in a slow tempo and indicative of small dynamic shifts, I think Handel allows the believer to hear this in a different way:
1. The opening statement including its simple fugue-like imitation reminds us that much vies for our attention and trust other than Christ
2. The softer dynamic reminds us that trusting involves Jesus living in our hearts
3. The louder dynamic at the finish can be considered a statement of faith as we trust God through the times of trial ("The times we want to shout") but we still  remain unwavering from our commitment to Jesus.
I invite you to try this interpretation today. 

Sunday's Prelude:  "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" from Messiah- Gower/Handel
Sunday's Postlude: "The Rejoicing" from The Music For The Royal Fireworks-Biggs/Handel