Go Through the Gates

This Old Testament text has a rhythmic earthly quality which moves steadily forward in preparation for a fulfillment of prophecy. This march-like setting is modified somewhat by the emotional content revealed in “Behold, thy salvation cometh”. Here the music becomes less rigid, more legato and reaches up toward the heavenly regions where comes salvation, ending with “alleluia”.

Text

Go through, go through the gates;
prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway;
lift up a standard for the people. Behold, thy salvation cometh;
behold, his reward is with him. And they shall call them The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord.
The Lord hath proclaimed unto the world, Thy salvation cometh.
Alleluia.