Psalm 121

About

In January 2026, I composed a setting of Psalm 121 for SATB choir and Soprano Solo. Around the time I finished writing it, I learned of the PRISM International Psalm Chant Competition. I decided to take a few chords from that piece and use it as inspiration to write a double Anglican Chant, which I entered into the competition.

That submission earned the runner-up prize. As per the terms of the contest, I agreed to make this chant setting available in the public domain, free of charge for use in public performance with credit to the composer.

Press

PRISM International Psalm Chant Competition 2026 

Use of Psalm 121 in Liturgy

In the Sunday Lectionary followed by the Anglican/Episcopal Church, Psalm 121 appears in Year A on the Second Sunday of Lent, and in Year C on Proper 24 (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost), which will next come up on October 22, 2028 (Year C), and then on February 25, 2029 (Year A).

Psalm 121 is also often used for funerals and other special occasions.

If strictly following the Book of Common Prayer, Psalm 121 only ever appears in the Matins service and never during Evensong. However, this chant setting is suitable to used with other psalms, so if you find another psalm that fits these chords, feel free to use it!

Text

Psalm 121 

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; * 

from whence cometh my help? 

2 My help cometh even from the Lord, * 

who hath made heaven and earth. 

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; * 

and he that keepeth thee will not sleep. 

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel * 

shall neither slumber nor sleep. 

5 The Lord himself is thy keeper; * 

the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand; 

6 So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, * 

neither the moon by night. 

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; * 

yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul. 

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, * 

from this time forth for evermore. 

Psalm 121 (Anglican Chant)

Public Domain - freely available to distribute