Let there be Lights in the Firmament of Heaven (PDF)
from “The Other Wise Man” a chamber opera in one act based on the inspiring story by Henry Van Dyke
SSATBB acappella
Words adapted from Genesis 1:14 & Psalms 90:4
Music by M Ryan Taylor

     A choral excerpt from “The Other Wise Man” that combines two well-known scriptures, one from the creation account found in Genesis and the other from the musings of David: “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” In the opera, it is sung during an interlude in which thirty years passes for the main characters. In a service it would be appropriate for themes of transience, time, repentance, death, and farewells. I adopted a dance-like meter to symbolize that all things with the Lord are one eternal round.

The Text:
Let there be lights in the firmament of Heaven
Let there be lights to divide the day from the night
Let them be for signs and seasons
Let them be for days and years