For I Will Yet Praise Him

Back in January, Kansas State University hosted a band clinic for high school musicians. This year I took my sister, who is a freshman percussionist. Amidst everything that's different between us, there is a reluctant sense of musicianship that we manage to share. I've begun to recognize her talent and her confidence as she plays. This weekend we participated in the Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival, and her xylophone quintet qualified for state. WOO!
At the band clinic we attended, all of the students were placed in 1 of 5 different bands, and over the weekend we prepared for a concert on Sunday afternoon. Altogether the concert took about 2 1/2 - 3 hours, so a grand variety of literature was performed. Among 2 other songs, my sister's band played a piece called Psalm 42 composed by Samuel Hazo. I've found that this is "about the song that was sung at the funeral of a 5 year old boy who had three brothers that played trumpet in Mr. Hazo's band." and set to the short and simple setting of the folk tune The Water is Wide.
I've found it's interesting where music can take you.
Psalm 42
For the director of music. A maskil* of the Sons of Korah*.
As the deer pants for streams of water,
     so my soul pants for You, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
     Where can I go and meet with God?
Deep calls to deep
     in the roar of Your waterfalls;
all Your waves and breakers
     have swept over me.
By day the Lord directs His love,
     at night His song is with me -
     a prayer to the God of my life.
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
     Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
     for I will yet praise Him,
     my Savior and my God.
(Psalm 42:1-2, 7-8, 11)

*a literary or musical term

*background of the sons of Korah in Numbers 16:28-35 and continued Numbers 26:9-11; during the time of King David, the sons of Korah became the great leaders in choral and orchestral music in the Tabernacle and the Temple. More information found at gotquestions.