I WILL EXTOL YOU LORD

When we sing "I Will Extol You Lord," we are stepping right into the heart of Psalm 30, a powerful prayer of thanksgiving and deliverance. Nnamdi Onwordi’s setting captures that profound sense of relief and joy that comes after a period of deep trial. The opening lines immediately declare God's saving action—lifting the soul from the grave and refusing to let enemies triumph. It is a song for those moments in the liturgy when the congregation needs to express profound gratitude for God's rescuing hand.

The structure of the piece makes it highly effective for a responsorial psalm or a thanksgiving meditation. After the initial choral proclamation, the subsequent verses remind us of the fleeting nature of sorrow: "At night there are tears, but at dawn comes joy." This is a message that always resonates deeply in the pews. As the choir moves into the final verse, asking God to be a helper and acknowledging that mourning has been turned into dancing, the music provides a beautiful vehicle for personal and communal praise. It is a wonderful choice for Eastertide, thanksgiving Masses, or any Sunday where the readings focus on God's healing and restoration.