Uit Diepten (From Depths) is based on the text and melody of Psalm 130 from the translation of 1773. It's a prayer from depths. The depths are a metaphore for the feeling that God doesn't listen. Despite this, the writer of this psalm asks God to hear him, because he knows that God is good and forgiving.
| Instrumentation | Mezzo-Soprano, Bass, Organ, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello |
| Duration | 6 minutes |
| Year of composition | 2024 |
| Premiere | 26 March 2024 |
Recording – 26 March 2024
Text
Uit diepten van ellenden
Roep ik, met mond en hart,
Tot U, die heil kunt zenden;
O HEER, aanschouw mijn smart;
Wil naar mijn smeekstem horen;
Merk op mijn jammerklacht;
Verleen mij gunstig’ oren,
Daar ‘k in mijn druk versmacht.
Zo Gij in ’t recht wilt treden,
O HEER, en gadeslaan
Onz’ ongerechtigheden,
Ach, wie zal dan bestaan?
Maar neen, daar is vergeving
Altijd bij U geweest;
Translation (English)
From depths of misery
I cry, with mouth and heart,
To You, who can send salvation;
O LORD, behold my sorrow;
Hear my pleading voice;
Mark my lamentation;
Grant me favorable ears,
As I faint in my oppression.
If Thou wilt stand in judgment,
O LORD, and regard
Our iniquities,
Oh, who can stand?
But no, there is forgiveness
It has always been with You;
I first wrote this piece for Mezzo-Soprano, Bass, Organ and String Quartet. When I critically looked back on this, I discovered that the music didn't need the text itself to express the text. That's why I rewrote the piece to a String Quartet. With this, I don't mean to say that I discard the version with voice and organ, they're both valuable to me. You can find the version for String Quartet here .