(Susan Paalman) The One and the Many in Psalm 42: Sicut Cervus

DEAN'S LECTURE SERIES
August 23rd, 2024 Opening Lecture for Fall Semester

The motet by Palestrina based on Psalm 42:1 is beloved at St. John's College. If one reads further into the Psalm than the first verse, one can find a return of the motif of water which first appears as "fontes aquarum" in Palestrina's Latin. These "flowing streams" return as tears, as a pouring out of the soul, as cataracts, and more. The "cervus" (deer) of the first verse never appears again explicitly. Instead, we take in images of people: a crowd of mockers, a throng of joyful worshippers, and more. Whereas adding bits of water together doesn't change the character of the water, gathering different people together can have great consequences for the individuals so gathered. The Psalmist wrestles with division and community in himself, in his surroundings, and with his God. What does he long for? Can we learn something about the longing of our own hearts by paying close attention to this Psalm?