I lift my eyes to the hills song

Composer Margaret Burk
Text Psalm 121 (NRSV)
Voicing SATB, organ
Topics Comfort & Encouragement
Lectionary usage Lent 2A, Proper 24C
Price $2.50 (U.S.)
Length 2' 15" Released 7/2021
Catalog no. 410-805
Difficulty Mod. diff.

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Description
Psalm 121 is the text for this expressive anthem by Margaret Burk. The entirely homophonic choral textures throughout are supported by the organ accompaniment. The music has a warmly affirmative character throughout, finally disappearing in the organ's coda into the heights.

Text
I lift up my eyes to the hills;
from where is my help to come?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heav'n and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved,
and he who watches over you
will not fall asleep.
The Lord himself watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
so that the sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night,
The Lord shall preserve you from evil;
it is he who shall keep you safe.
The Lord shall watch over
your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth forevermore.

--Psalm 121

Review
"This through-composed setting of Psalm 121 in the New Revised Standard Edition ext flows in a gentle narrative. The organ begins with rocking motion between the hands in offset motion making way for a resolute entrance of unison choir. The organ alternates between independent material and doubling the voices, and the choir also takes turns singing unaccompanied. The music moves around harmonically, using common tonal gestures while exploring several key areas. Burk has a naturalness of expression that suits the Psalm text well. With careful preparation, this anthem would work well for choirs of moderate skill level as well as combined organist-choir masters." -The AAM Journal, Nov. 2021

I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?
I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from You, sovereign God of all,
maker of heaven and the earth.

And when I lift my eyes I’ll see your powerful sufficiency,
God who watches over me won’t slumber.
And You will be my shade by day,
you’ll keep the fears of night at bay,
steadied by your hand , my feet won’t stumble

I lift my hands to your throne, for you are God, my rock.
I lift my hands to your throne, for you are God, my rock.
Your strength is my song, all-sufficient One
Yahweh, the everlasting God

Lord you guard my soul, all my ways you know, yet you never let go
I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?

This song is based almost entirely on psalm 121, which is a wonderful reminder of the care God exercises over us, both day and night. In fact the phrase “watches over” is used no less than five times in these eight verses, just to emphasize that we are under his umbrella of refuge. I love that this psalm tells us that God our Father never sleeps or slumbers – he’s always alert to provide us with the help and assurance we need – his “powerful sufficiency” will sustain us, if we will but lift our eyes to see him.

Who sings I will lift up my eyes to the hills?

What does Psalm 121 teach us?

What psalm says I will lift up my eyes to the hills?

What are the songs of ascents in the Psalms?