The Eyes of All

The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food in due season.
 You open your hand,
    satisfying the desire of every living thing.   

                                     – Psalms 145:15-16, NRSV

These hopeful words first came into my consciousness through the singing of them with my college choir in an unforgettably beautiful setting by Jean Berger, a German-born, American, Jewish composer. The harmonies and rhythms of his choral work magnificently captured the meaning and emotion of the words, solidifying them forever in my mind.  I have subsequently made use of the piece in every church I have served, including Pullen. 

These Psalm lines and Berger’s composition recently came to mind as I considered the effect of mask-wearing upon our individual and collective expressiveness. Ministers of Music and conductors, including myself, work with choirs and congregations to use the fullness of their bodies in singing words and music. Intricately connected to any sound that singers make is an effective facial expression. But during the pandemic, the wearing of masks has obscured a large part of our faces, especially our mouths that can reveal happiness or sadness, exuberant joy, or speechlessness. Gratefully, the eyes – called the “windows to the soul,” – are unmasked and open for expression. My stream of consciousness in considering the current significance of unmasked eyes caused me to remember the Psalmist’s words…” the eyes of all look to you…” During this time of continued pandemic, we must allow our eyes to express our sincerity of thought, the joy of meeting a new friend, or concern when listening to another in need. 

Psalms 145:15-16 is an appropriate mantra for these days. This passage cries out longingly and expectantly to the Source of Life. Though these Hebrew Psalm words would have originally been sung to Yahweh, direct them to whatever naming of the Source of Life is meaningful to you. Remember these words when you put on your daily mask. Say them aloud, sing them with your own melody, and meditate on them as you listen to Jean Berger’s choral anthem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGoSaMuscKs

[Sung by The Shorter Chorale, this is one of many online presentations of the piece. 

The words in Berger’s setting are from the King James Version: 

The eyes of all wait upon thee; 

    and thou givest them their meat in due season. 

Thou openest thine hand, 

    and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.]

Larry E. Schultz, Minister of Music