Psalm 32 (You Are My Hiding Place)

For SATB, a cappella (2007)
Premiere: 4 November 2007
Calvary Church Choir / Kamel Boutros
Duration: 3'

Of Note: Psalm 32 (You Are My Hiding Place) was commissioned for the Calvary Church Choir, New York City. The choral work had its world premiere debut on November 4, 2007 by the Calvary Church Choir in New York City under the direction of Kamel Boutros.

Inspiration for this piece was derived directly from the text (Psalm 32:1-7). The New International Version of Psalm 32, serving as the piece's foundation, was built upon using certain words/selections from other versions such as the King James Version. One moment when this occured is in Psalm 32:2, where the original text (NIV version) is "and in whose spirit is no deceit," whereas the word "deceit" was replaced with "guile" as found in the King James Version.

Below are both the New International as well as the King James versions:

Psalm 32 - New International Version
Of David. A maskil.

1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD "—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.

7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah




Psalm 32 - King James Version

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

© Steph Shaw, 2007.