Der Herr ist mein Hirt, SWV 398

Heinrich Schütz, a pivotal figure in German music between the Renaissance and Baroque, composed this sacred motet, Der Herr ist mein Hirt, SWV 398. The work is set for double choir (SAT.SATB), offering rich textural possibilities. Its text is drawn from Psalm 23, a well-known passage of comfort and trust in divine guidance. The motet moves between Latin and German, reflecting the liturgical and vernacular traditions of the time. Schütz masterfully depicts the psalm's imagery of the Lord as a shepherd protecting, guiding, and sustaining his flock through perils and into peace. The contrasting choral forces are employed to create dramatic and expressive effects, vividly portraying the deep spiritual assurance found in the text.