Sacred Songs is a two movement work based on sacred hebrew/aramaic texts. The first movement is based on the final line from the Kaddish prayer, the traditional prayer which sanctifies the name of God. The second movement is based on Psalm 96, "Sing a New Song to the Lord". The complete text of the first movement is "He who creates peace in his celestial heights, may he create peace for us and for all Israel." In this setting, the voice repeats this texts a number of times, almost as a member of the overall musical fabric. At each repetition, the musical phrases are reordered. Also, on each repeat, the surrounding music in the instruments is reassigned from one instrument to another. Thus, while the music changes sonority, it remains essentially the same. The goal was to create a sense of stasis, of an oscillating, peaceful nature.

The second movement is strophic, meaning that the initial chorus is repeated throughout the movement. The music is both folk-like and dance-like, although giving way at certain moments to reverential awe. In this movement the vocal part comes clearly to the fore, and leads the musical activity. The instrumental music is of a generally bravura nature, emphasizing the ebullient quality of the text.

Sacred Songs was commissioned by the D'Addario Foundation for Benjamin Verdery, guitar. The first performance took place June 15, 1989, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as part of the 2nd American Guitar Congress. The performers were Benjamin Verdery/ guitar, Rie Schmidt/ flute, Carmen Pelton/ soprano, and Christopher Finckel/ cello.

Below are the complete texts.

Sacred Songs: Texts/Psalm 96

1) Osa sha'lom bem'ro'mov, hoo ya'a'sa sha'lom a'la'nu v'al kol yesrael (v'em'roo amen).

He who creates peace in his celestial heights, may he create peace for us and for all Israel (and say, Amen).

2) She'roo la'do'nai sher cha'dash, she'roo la'do'nai kol ha'a'retz. She'roo la'do'nai bar'choo sh'mo, bas'roo me'yom l'yom ye'shoo'a'te. Sap'roo va'goy'em k'vodo, b'chol ha'a'mem nef'l'otav. Ke ga'dol a'do'nai oom'who'lal m'od, y'no'ra who al kol e'lo'hem. Ke kol e'lo'hay ha'a'mem e'le'lem, v'a'do'nai sha'may'em asa. Hod v'hadar l'fanav, oz v'tef'eret b'mek'da'sho. Ha'voo la'do'nai mesh'p'chot a'mem, ha'voo l'adonai k'vod v'oz. Ha'voo la'do'nai k'vod sh'mo, sa'oo men'cha oo'vo'oo l'chatz'ro'tav. Hesh'ta'cha'voo l'adonai b'hadrat kodesh; cheloo mepanav kol ha'aretz. Emroo vagoyem adonai malach, af tekon tavel bal temot; yaden amem b'ma'sha'rem. Yes'me'choo ha'sha'ma'yem v'tagal ha'aretz; yer'am ha'yam oom'lo'o. Ya'a'loz sa'di v'chol a'sher bo; az y'ran'noo kol a'tza ya'ar. Lef'na a'do'nai ke'va lesh'pot ha'a'retz; yesh'pot ta'vel ba'tze'dek, v'a'mem be'e'moo'na'to.

Sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; announce his salvation from day to day. Recount his glory among the nations, his wonders--among the peoples. For great is the Lord and highly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but the Lord made the heavens. Grandeur and majesty are before him; glory and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and majesty. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in holy array; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations; "The Lord is King!" The world is so established that it cannot be shaken; he rules the peoples justly. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea and all its fulness roar praise. Let the field exult and all that is therein; let all the trees of the forest sing before the Lord who comes, who comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with righteousness, and the peoples--with his truth.