Praise the Lord with harp and tongue

When a choir takes on a piece from Handel’s *Solomon*, you know it is going to be a grand occasion. "Praise the Lord with harp and tongue" is a magnificent double chorus that demands energy, precision, and a true sense of celebration. The text is a universal call to worship, inviting "all ye old and young" to lift their voices and instruments in praise of a God who is "in mercy ever strong."

For a choir director, the thrill of this piece lies in the overlapping waves of sound. The voices toss the phrases back and forth—building from the lively opening into the majestic, resounding declarations that "God alone is good and great" and "just and wise." It is a brilliant choice for major feast days, choral concerts, or any grand celebration where the choir wants to fill the church with a massive, joyful noise. Singing this reminds us of the sheer power of voices united in classical praise.