John F. Hudson: Newtown Psalm
Rivertree Singers; Warren Cook, Conductor; Jean Cook, Piano; Nikki; Fox Eoute, Soloist

The composer offers us four texts as response to the senseless slaying of six teachers and twenty young children in Newtown. A cry for peace in the midst of utter disbelief and pain turns to anger at the destruction of the innocents. We then view the scene through the eyes of a helpless child, and finally find reassurance and hope in the words of Psalm 121.

FIRST-MILLENNIUM CHANT
Da pacem, Domine, in diebus nostris Quia non est alius, Qui pugnet pro nobis Nisi tu Deus noster.
[Give peace, O Lord, in our time Because there is no one else Who will fight for us
If not You, our God.]

EZEKIEL 7:25
angustia superveniente requirent pacem et non eri
[Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.]

JEREMIAH 8:15
expectavimus pacem et non erat bonum tempus
[We looked for peace, but no good came.]

PSALM 121:8
Propter frates meos et proximos Meos loquebar pacem de te
[The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.]