The Forty-sixth Psalm.

The composition referred to in the sketch of Mr. Gilchrist's life which
secured for him the Cincinnati prize in 1882 was "The Forty-sixth Psalm."
The composer's own analysis of the work, furnished at the time, is
appended:--

"The composition is a setting of the Forty-sixth Psalm for soprano
solo, chorus, orchestra, and organ, and has four principal divisions
exclusive of an introduction, each following the other without pause,
and connected by a gradual decrescendo in the orchestra. The opening of
the Psalm seemed to me to indicate a strong outburst of praise or of
thanksgiving for a deliverance from trials, which the introduction is
intended to convey. But instead of beginning with a strong outburst, I
lead up to it from a very subdued beginning, working gradually to a
climax at the entrance of the chorus on the words, 'God is our refuge
and our strength.' The opening movement of the chorus becomes a little
subdued very shortly as it takes up the words, 'A very present help in
trouble,' which is followed again by an _allegro con fuoco_ movement on
the words, 'Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed,
though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.' This
movement leads into still another, a furioso movement on the words,
'Though the waters thereof roar, though the mountains shake with the
swelling thereof.' This is followed by an elaborate coda, in which all
the themes of the preceding movement are worked together, and which
brings the chorus to a close.

The second division, in E major, is marked by an _andante
contemplativo_ on the words, 'There is a river the streams whereof
shall make glad the city of God.' This movement is intended to be one
of tranquillity, varied with occasional passionate outbursts on the
words, 'God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.' A peculiar
rhythmical effect is sought by the alternation of 4/4 and 3/4 time,
three bars of the first being answered by two bars of the second. This
movement ends very tranquilly on the words, 'God shall help her, and
that right early,' and is immediately followed by an _allegro molto_,
in B minor, on the words, 'The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved;
he uttered his voice, the earth melted.' In the middle of this chorus
the soprano solo enters for the first time on the words, 'He maketh
wars to cease unto the end of the ear