As the Watchman

This is a setting of the first 2 sections of Psalm 63: 1) a poetic evocation of the yearning to be with God, and 2) a description of what the Temple service means to the psalmist. Psalm 63 is one of the privileged "morning" psalms associated with Lauds. In addition to being a Common Responsorial Psalm, the antiphon, taken from Psalm 130, emphasizes the advental and eschatological character of the opening section of the psalm. The psalm-setting is one of great simplicity. The refrain is metered while the verses are chanted freely. May be accompanied by keyboard (organ/piano) or harp.