Esti Dal
Jock Stein
November 27, 2016
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Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?[b][c]
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.4 Tremble and[d] do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.6 Many, Lord, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
The Hungarian composer Kodaly (say Kohdai) believed that music had its roots in the social life of ordinary people, and that any child could and should sing and be moved by the songs of their homeland. I had the privilege of attending rehearsals of the world-famous Kántus (say Kahntoosh) choir of the Hungarian Reformed College in Debrecen, and later twice organised a Scottish Tour for them. Esti Dal means ‘evening song’ and the choir would usually conclude their concerts with this song. It is a quiet and intensely moving melody which I hope will be played at my funeral.
Prayer:
God of organs and airwaves, we commend to you all who make music.
We remember the writers and composers, the artists and film-makers of our time,
praying for an art that is honest as well as beautiful,
and a music that will carry out your creative intention for humankind,
which is deeper and bigger than we recognise.
We remember those who are nearing the end of their lives,
that they may find a music in their hearts which will carry them through the cesura of death
to pick up a melody they have searched for all their lives,
through Jesus Christ, our wonderful Saviour who cleared his throat and ended silence,
Amen.
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