Motet notes - Schütz

"Herr, neige deine Himmel" is a Sacred Symphony from the second book of works in that form published in 1647.  The text, from Psalm 144, has real Old Testament thunder in it. This is not the warm Psalmist of the 23rd Psalm but a wrathful vengeful God.  The sentiment may be hard to take in these times but the protagonist (in this case two basses) taking up the Psaltery is treated with great gentleness in Schütz' dazzling setting.