Motet notes - Schütz

Schütz' setting of Psalm 27 comes from the second volume of Symphoniae Sacrae published in 1647. The jaunty setting of the opening words has a jolly "Marching to Pretoria" sound to it. Schütz seizes upon the military words with great gusto. There is darkness and a sinister quality to the setting of the words in-between. The composer understands the attractiveness of military tub-thumping – and its dire results.