Ashirah Lashem (I will sing to the Eternal)
by Meira Warshauer

(2005) 7'
(I will sing to the Creator) Psalm 104
SATB, piano
commissioned by Mak'hela, the Jewish Chorus of Western Massachusetts, and by Sinai Temple, Springfield, MA, Cantor Emily Sleeper Mekler

Text:  Psalm 104, verses 33-34

Ashirah      lashem               b’chayai.

I will sing   to the Eternal    with my life.

Azamra                   lelokai         b’odi.

I will offer hymns  to my G-d    as long as I exist.

Ye’erav                        ’alav                        sichi.

May they be sweet        to Him/Her,         my verses.

Anochi   esmach          bashem.

I             will rejoice    in the Eternal.

Pronunciation guide: Vowels as in Italian. Ch as in Bach.  Apostrophe after a consonant is short vocalization as in “uh.”  Apostrophe before a vowel is a glottal stop.

I chose this text last summer, shortly after speaking with Bob Stern about the possibility of writing the first commissioned work for Mak’hela.  He described the chorus and its enthusiasm for singing Jewish music.  Looking in the song section of my Benscher (book with blessings after the meal and various songs for Sabbath), I found these four lines and immediately felt they could  celebrate and express the joyful singing of Mak’hela.  I then went on a river rafting trip in Idaho where this text reverberated in me, the trees, rivulets, hills-- all of Creation exulting and singing to the Creator, the Eternal One.  When I returned from the trip, I was officially invited to compose the new work, and I asked if this text would be acceptable.  It wasn’t until I was immersed in composing that I looked at the rest of Psalm 104 for further reflection, and was delighted to discover the preceding verses are overflowing with praise for the Creator and Creation: Ma rabu ma’asecha HaShem.  Kulam b’chochmah asita (How many are Your works, HaShem, You made them all with wisdom.).

Meira Warshauer
January 27, 2005
17 SHVAT, 5765

Kol Meira Publications
3526 Boundbrook Lane
Columbia, SC 29206
(803)787-4332
meira@musician.org
www.meirawarshauer.com