O Lord, thou hast dealt graciously, a five-part setting of verses from Psalm 119, has many unexpected twists and turns which arise in response to the unusual text. Deane shows a lively feeling for the sound of the Psalm words, such as ‘but my delight hath been in thy law’ and ‘Their heart is as fat as brawn’. The concluding Gloria includes a strict canon between the medius and tenor parts culminating in a fine Amen.
from notes by David Evans © 2009
