I repost this music I composed for my sister, Mary Ruth. Mary Ruth died this day, August 10th, 21 years ago of complications from Crohn’s disease.
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have taken heed of my adversities,
and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love. (Psalm 31: 1-9, 14-16)
As we got closer to Holy Week in this Paschal Season, I thought often of my sister, Mary Ruth
. I still grieve her dying. I thought about her struggle with her Crohns disease for the last 20 years of her life, and reflected upon her last days, her own paschal suffering, and passion, as she was preparing to leave this life for the resurrection of eternal life. As I composed this Psalm Offering, I had Psalm 31 in mind.
About the music: It is written in the key of C major. It is in a simple two part AB form, that is repeated two times, with variations on the music each time it is repeated.
Psalm Offering 2 Opus 9: for my sister Mary Ruth. (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.
