Esa Einei

The composer writes, "My setting of Psalm 121 is dedicated to the memory of my mother, Celia Cohen, who passed away in 2002 after an eight-year struggle with Parkinson’s disease. A few days after the funeral, I sat down at the piano and wrote a setting of Psalm 121, almost in one sitting. Cantor Fredda Mendelson came to the house to lead a minyan service, saw the music sitting on the piano rack, and asked me to adapt it for use on the High Holy Days later that year." I turn my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come? My help comes from Adonai, maker of heaven and earth. God will not let your foot give way; your guardian will not slumber; See, the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps! Adonai is your guardian; Adonai is your protection at your right hand. By day the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night. Adonai will guard you from all harm; God will guard your life. Adonai will guard your going and coming, now and forever.