Plainchant setting
The recording below is based on the Sarum Psalm tones as presented in the St. Dunstan’s Plainsong Psalter. It is chanted to Tone VIII 2.
Anglican chant setting by J. Randall and D. A. Cooper
The recording below includes two chant settings. Verses 1-6 are to a setting by the Cambridge University organist John Randall (1715-1799), who served at King’s College and Trinity College, and was Professor of Music from 1755 to 1799.
The mood of the Psalm alters in verses 7-9, with the might of God coming into view. The choir switches to a more vivid setting by David Anthony Cooper (1949-2008), who was organist at Blackburn Cathedral and at Norwich Cathedral.
At verse 10, the choir returns to Randall’s setting through the end of the Psalm and the Gloria patri.
Wells Cathedral Choir — Anthony Crossland, director — Christopher Brayne, organ
1 O God, my heart is ready, my heart is ready; * I will sing, and give praise with the best member that I have.
2 Awake, thou lute and harp; * I myself will awake right early.
3 I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the peoples; * I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4 For thy mercy is greater than the heavens, * and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
5 Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens, * and thy glory above all the earth;
6 That thy beloved may be delivered: * let thy right hand save them, and hear thou me.
7 God hath spoken in his holiness; * I will rejoice therefore, and divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; * Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my lawgiver;
9 Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; * upon Philistia will I triumph.
10 Who will lead me into the strong city? * and who will bring me into Edom?
11 Hast not thou forsaken us, O God? * and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
12 O help us against the enemy: * for vain is the help of man.
13 Through God we shall do great acts; * and it is he that shall tread down our enemies.