FREE SCORE: Psalm 34 • The Lord delivered me from all my fears.
“The Lord delivered me from all my fears.”
Offered for free here today is a setting of Psalm 34, as prescribed for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul. This edition is offered for free because it sets the correct text of the antiphon. The American English edition of the Lectionary (as well as what is posted on the USCCB’s own website) incorrectly feature V.8 “The angel of the Lord…” as the Antiphon / Refrain. A careful reader will notice, however, that the annotation indicates it should be Verse 5. This is further borne out by the fact that other countries’ lectionaries set the correct antiphon. (Notably, the Spanish version, also featured on the USCCB’s website, features the correct antiphon.) †1
Seeking to fill an inevitable void of appropriate arrangements, I present to you this simple setting of Psalm 34 featuring the correct antiphon, for those who would prefer to use it. The arrangement features a written out organ/choral part, as well as a simplified / pointed edition on the second page for cantors who prefer to use that method.
As usual, a practice track has been prepared on YouTube as well, for sending to Cantors.
You are permitted free usage / sharing of this setting, however please note that while I am publishing this particular arrangement and permitting its free usage, I am not releasing the Psalm Tone or its harmony into the public domain. Permission is required to reuse the music in another arrangement, and may be obtained by contacting me via this website.
UPDATE—just to clarify since I have been contacted by someone asking about this:
V. 5 is “The Lord delivered me from all my fears.”
V. 8 is “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
The version given in the lectionary and on the USCCB website is a derivative of V. 8, “The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.”
According to one published daily missal that I have, the Latin version for the correct Antiphon is “Ex omnibus terroribus meis eripuit me Dominus.” (lit: “Out of all my terrors, I have been delivered by the Lord.” ie: “The Lord delivered me from all my fears.”)
Obviously, verses 5 & 8 are very similar, and essentially identical in meaning, however they are not the same. Presupposing that the annotation (verse 5) is correct, rather than the antiphon itself (since this is what is reflected in the Spanish lectionary as well) one must conclude that offering V. 8 as the antiphon (with the incorrect annotation) is indeed a case of errata.
†1 • I will also observe that the Daily Roman Missal, as published by the Midwest Theological Forum, also features the corrected text, and offers the Antiphon in both its Latin original, as well as the translation featured in this arrangement.
