FAWM: "He Looks Down (Psalm 33)"

He Looks Down (Psalm 33)

2 weeks ago by @hbusse

He Looks Down (Psalm 33)

hbusse

00:00

Liner Notes

#firstfruits #vocals #folk #mandolin #handdrum #lapsteel #minorkey

My first offering this year, a setting of part of Psalm 33.

Recorded late at night whilst battling a cough with the help of lots of Spitfire LABS sounds.

Lyrics

The Lord looks down from heaven
He sees all the children of man
The Lord looks on the inhabitants
Who dwell on the face of the earth
He looks down, He looks down
And He sees

The Lord looks down from heaven
He sees all the children of man
The one who fashions all their hearts
Observes every one of their deeds
He looks down, He looks down
And He sees
He looks down, He looks down
And He sees

Kings, build up your armies
They won’t save you
Warriors, show your strength
It won’t deliver you
Weapons of war
Give hope that’s false
They cannot rescue you

The Lord looks down from heaven
He sees all the children of man
The one who fashions all their hearts
Observes every one of their deeds
He looks down, He looks down
And He sees
He looks down, He looks down
And He sees

Comments

@adforperu 1w

If I was a music theory nerd, I'd be like... oh cool use of the ? mode! Unfortunately I'm not clever enough - maybe mixolydian? Mainly because it reminds me a little of Within You Without You. I'm rambling. This is really great and unlike anything I've heard this year on FAWM. The progression at 1:55ish is wonderful!

@kadmad202 2w

I love the wonderful easterny/Arabic vibe and rhythm. There's an ominous feel to this song, both musically and lyrically. Almost a "you better watch out, you better not cry..." but of course, God's judgement will not just be a piece of coal in our stockings. It's a warning, but also a cause for hope to those who look up, as the next few verses show (Ps 33:18-22). That drone note on "He looks down, he looks down" is so effective, as are the layered harmonies, forming a round that twists the lyrics into an almost hypnotic knot, untangled by one last "He looks down, and He sees..."
I'm with Jon - feeling a little jealous over here😌!

@markfulwider 2w

Wow! Such interesting vocal harmonies! Really really cool and unique! You have a lovely voice and l like middle eastern vibe of the music! Nice job! So what exactly is spitfire labs? I guess I will have to look that one up! A VST?

@jonmeta 2w

A very cool transformation of the 2/4 'pop' beat into something exotic. Love those LABS sounds. Superb harmonies, especially on the word 'down', the line leading back into the last verse, and the final bare octave -- actually, they're all super creative, and give a wealth of detail to a song that seems simple on the surface. This is *really* original: making me jealous!

@wynia 2w

The open sparse backdrop is just what these words needed. Your voice is gorgeous as always!

@jacobeverettwallace 2w

33 is my favorite number, so I love that you interpreted Psalm 33. Such a wild and beautiful world music vibe with absolutely incredible harmonies. You have a cough? I don't believe it. Super creative way to kick off FAWM! Well done.

@jkepler 2w

Happy FAWM! I really liked the relentless but relaxed flow of the verses... seems to have captures the reality of the Lord's rule---confident and unstoppable, like a steady wind.

The musical shift in the bridge nicely captured the futility of human resistance to the King of kings: he alone rescues.

Great work, Hannah

@davidtaro 2w

Cough or no cough, that’s a pretty mega set of vocals (hope you feel better soon though!). Love the eastern vibe, very cool, great instrument choices (LABS is wonderful). I particularly liked the change up for the ‘Kings, build your armies’ section. You need to make a vocal sample pack of those swelling ooooohs - I’d buy that in a heartbeat. Great start!

@thegreatbrandoni 2w

Very pretty. At parts it sounds like a hammered dulcimer, which I'm very fond of.

@sarahk 2w

The music definitely gives me chills. It feels like a warning, very haunting. I love the instrument choices, the tension, the complex rhythms. Skillfully done!

@siasa 2w

This is a cracker - love the instrumentation and the harmony especially.

@metalfoot 2w

I really like this musical setting and arrangement of the psalm. Vocal work is nicely done with the close harmonies. Enjoyed the time signature and tempo shift in the bridge.