I Will Take the Cup of Salvation (Psalm 116)

This verbatim responsorial psalm is set in a gospel style. The melody, intended for cantor and assembly, is enriched by SATB choir and descant, which complement the melody's lyrics with a call-and-response, or echo, effect. The harmonic language is simple and easily comprehended, the refrain being mostly diatonic and the verses using chromatic chords sparingly. Syncopations are mild and fit the natural rhythm of the text.