Psalm 90 (Ives)  Psalm 90 (Ives)  Idiosyncrasies of Psalm 90
Characteristic of Ives' style, this piece is rich with tonal
clusters, rhythmic complexities, and layers of dense harmonies
and polyphonic material. Another outstanding characteristic of
this piece is the vivid text declamation, or text painting that
the music endeavors. The musical line clearly evokes the tone
and message of the text.   This is the text as printed in the
score, taken from the King James version of the Bible, numbers
indicate verses1:    • 1. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling
place from one generation to another.1   • 3. Thou turnest man
to destruction; and sayest, “Return, ye children of men.”1   •
5. Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep;
in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.1   • 6. In
the morning it flourisheth and groweth up; in the evening it is
cut down, and withereth.1   • 7. For we are consumed by thine
anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.1   • 8. Thou hast set
our iniquities befor