A Special Arrangement

By Bob Hayman

RESIGNATION (Presbyterian Hymnal #172) is the tune associated with Isaac Watts' paraphrase of Psalm 23. It appeared around 1835 in William Walker's Southern Harmony, a shape-note hymnal. Coming from that tradition, it is quite simple as befits the Psalm itself.

Although Isaac Watts' hymn contains three verses only, the organ arrangement is comprised of four. It is chiastic; it is the shape of a cross. If one were to draw an imaginary horizontal line between the key of the first verse through that of the fourth verse and then plot the keys of the second and third verses, that person would discover that the second is higher in pitch and that the modulation to the third crosses below that imaginary line to reach the lowest key of the piece. This is symbolic of the Christian life which requires taking up one's cross daily even though we are given green pastures to walk in and still waters to drink. Our lives are not without events and other people that may cause our faith to waver.

This composition is autobiographical. Verse one is quite simple as is my life when I follow the Shepherd. But after I get through shadowy experiences, I often act as if I had solved my own problems. Rather than expressing gratitude for the Shepherd's leading, I try to direct my own progress in the future. Oddly, it is at these times when I am self-reliant that I exhibit self-righteous religious behavior. Verse two is chorale-like and represents my own unfounded piety. At these times I can usually expect to stumble again. Like grazing sheep, I never seem to learn my lesson which is to walk humbly with my God.

The music for verse three recalls the low points of my Christian experience. It feels unstable due to its alternating meter. At my low-points, my footing is unsteady.

But there is hope in verse four. When I decide to trust and follow the Shepherd once more, grazing on his feast of grace restores my soul. The final organ verse is peaceful-pastoral again, essentially repeating the music of verse one. As Watts tells us, the Shepherd--

...brings my wandering spirit back
when I forsake His way,
And leads me for His mercy's sake
in paths of truth and grace.

It was a pleasure to write this arrangement for my dear friend, Ruth Williams. Both of us offer it to the glory of God, with gratitude to Jesus our Shepherd for his care and guidance, and to the refreshment of the members of our community who share the same pasture.