My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone

Performance Notes:

• For performance notes on this song, see page 1083 of Psalms for All Seasons: A Complete Psalter for Worship.
• The following article is from the Psalter Hymnal Handbook.

Text Information:

A confession of trust in God by the LORD's anointed when threatened by a powerfully backed internal conspiracy.

Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-4
st. 2 =vv. 5-8
st.3=vv.9-12

Psalm 62 suggests that a strong conspiracy aims to topple the king from his throne. It even hints that the king is old and no longer vigorous (v. 3)–which may have occasioned the revolt. Such treachery and rebellion plagued King David in his old age (2 Sam. 15-20). Though threatened by a host of conspirators, including powerful elements in the land, the king "finds rest in God," his rock and refuge (st. 1-2), and exhorts the people to trust in the LORD, whose protection is sure (st. 2). These truths bring confidence when God's people are threatened: although our "mortal strength is vain," God is strong and loving and faithful (st. 3).

David James Diephouse (b. Grand Haven, MI, 1947) versified this psalm in 1986 for the . Educated at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Princeton University, Diephouse taught at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, from 1974 to 1976. Since 1976 he has been professor of history at Calvin College.

In addition to a number of essays, Diephouse wrote Pastors and Pluralism in Wurttemberg., 1918-1933. A pianist and harpsichordist, Diephouse has served on the worship committee of the Church of the Servant, Grand Rapids, and on the Christian Reformed Church denominational worship committee.

Liturgical Use:
Many occasions in which the church is under threat from human powers and wants to express its confidence in the Lord.

Tune Information:

THIRD MODE MELODY is the third of nine tunes Thomas Tallis composed for Matthew Parker's The Whole Psalter (c. 1561). This magnificent tune is worth the trouble it may take to learn. Diephouse set the text with this tune in mind, since it kept coming to him as he was working on the text. Many may know the tune from Ralph Vaughan Williams's orchestral work "Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis." The "third mode" is the Phrygian mode, and THIRD MODE MELODY is one of the few tunes in that mode

Included in the Psalter Hymnal (see also 51 and 100). This tune requires solid, yet rhythmically pliable organ support. The melody was originally in the tenor, and choirs may switch parts between tenors and sopranos. Another suitable tune for Psalm 62 is BETHLEHEM (497).

Thomas Tallis (b. Leicestershire [?], England, c. 1505; d. Greenwich, Kent, England 1585) was one of the few Tudor musicians who served during the reigns of Henry VIII: Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth I and managed to remain in the good favor of both Catholic and Protestant monarchs. He was court organist and composer from 1543 until his death, composing music for Roman Catholic masses and Anglican liturgies (depending on the monarch). With William Byrd, Tallis also enjoyed a long-term monopoly on music printing. Prior to his court connections Tallis had served at Waltham Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral.

He composed mostly church music, including Latin motets, English anthems, settings of the liturgy, magnificats, and two sets of lamentations. His most extensive contrapuntal work was the choral composition, "Spem in alium," a work in forty parts for eight five-voice choirs. He also provided nine modal psalm tunes for Matthew Parker's Psalter (c. 1561).

Other Resources:

• Visit hymnary.org for more information on this song and additional resources.