Psalm 130 (a chorale cantata on "Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir")

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PSALM 130
(a chorale cantata)
Timothy Whitworth Smith

LYRICS

(Jonah 2:1-6)

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said, “The engulfing waters threatened me. The deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. I called Thee for help, and Thou didst listen to my cry. I said, ‘I have been banished from Thy sight; yet I will look again toward Thy holy temple'."

(Psalm 130:1-3)

In deep despair, I call to Thee, O God, O hear me, I implore Thee. Give ear to my sighing. If Thou dost mark iniquities, remember our infirmities. Lord, who can stand before Thee?

(Jonah 2:7-9)

Then Jonah said: "When I became faint, I remembered Thee, O Lord. My prayer came to Thee in Thy holy temple.

(Chorale)

With Thee there is forgiveness Lord,
Thy grace and love avail us.
Our lives deserve not Thy reward,
in vain, our strivings fail us.
In all things, Thou alone art just,
this is my strong foundation,
imploring Thy salvation.

Although our sins and failings stand,
God's grace through all prevaileth.
His love remains our helping hand,
His mercy never faileth.
In steadfast love, our friend and guide
doth stand forever at our side,
from danger to defend us.

INTERPRETIVE NOTE
The musical theme is a Lutheran Chorale, "Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee" (Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir). These words begin Psalm 130, and the composition incorporates verses 1-3. While the work is titled Psalm 130, this video incorporates still more from the Book of Jonah, which is closely linked by shared themes and language, particularly in Jonah’s prayer from the fish. Both focus on crying out to God from the “depths” of distress, using similar imagery. They emphasize themes of sin, forgiveness, and redemption—Psalm 130 highlights God’s forgiveness, while Jonah shows God’s willingness to forgive both Jonah and Nineveh. Both texts express hope and patience for God’s deliverance, trusting in God’s saving power.

THE COMPOSER
Tim Smith sang in the Chorale from 1969 to 1977. Upon graduation, he worked as a choral director in various churches, then held positions at Judson Baptist College and Nyack College. Later, he taught at Ball State University and Northern Arizona University, serving as the editor of the "Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy" and leading the Digital Bach Project, a collaboration between the Oregon Bach Festival and the Hinkle Charitable Foundation.

INSTRUMENTAL ACCOMPANIMENT
Violin: Dinah Ward
Cello: Deborah Ward
Guitar: Tim Smith

THE BIOLA CHORALE
Loren Wiebe led the Chorale for thirty years, during which time the Chorale released many LPs and held memorable home concerts.

HISTORICAL NOTE
"Psalm 130" was featured on the Chorale's 1974 album, "A Psalm Festival," which was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles as a limited-edition vinyl release. Now 51 years old, this performance retains nominal artifacts of the original analog, underscoring this video's role as a vital historical archive—special thanks to Dale Schweitzer for digitally remastering the original audio.

GRAPHICS
1. Unknown author (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Jonah cast out by the fish“, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Te....
2. Albert Bierstadt creator QS:P170,Q77132 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Seal Rock California“, cropped by Chant & Poetry, https://creativecommons.org/publicdom....
3. Rembrandt artist QS:P170,Q5598 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn - Return of the Prodigal Son - Google Art Project“, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Te....
4. Cottonwoods at night, in slickrock potholes, probably near Chinle Wash, Arizona. Unsplash.com at https://unsplash.com/license.

00:00 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God (Jonah 2:1-6)
01:12 In deep despair, I call to Thee, O God (Psalm 130:1-2)
02:29 If thou dost mark iniquities, remember our infirmities. (Psalm 130:3)
03:24 Then Jonah said: "When I became faint, I remembered Thee, O Lord." (Jonah 2:7-9)
04:36 With Thee there is forgiveness, Lord, Thy grace and love avail us. (Chorale: Aus tiefer Not)
06:12 Although our sins and failings stand, God's grace through all prevaileth.
06:49 In steadfast love, our friend and guide doth stand forever at our side, from danger to defend us.