I Behold Thy Bridal Chamber Richly Adorned
James E. Nelson

The text for this song comes from the central hymn of the three Bridegroom
services of Holy Week in the Eastern Orthodox Church. 

This song sounds similar to "When a Poor One" (which is also in this 
collection). One of my favorite classic guitar music styles is South 
American folk music, especially music in a minor key. This is a typical 
example of that style. It is written in the key of Am with a 6/8 time 
signature. ("When a Poor One" is in Dm with a 6/8 time signature.) It is 
possibly the most natural fingering progression on the guitar and is 
therefore a style that I discovered soon after I began playing guitar.

This text is a sublime statement of humility as we approach the events of 
Holy Week. The first time I heard it in a worship service I was completely 
taken with the hymn. It was sung in chant tones in that context. I copied 
down the text and immediately began working on a song based on the hymn. My 
first attempt used this hymn as the refrain and I added verses. I found that 
my verses were quite inferior to this hymn text, so I ended up scrapping 
that altogether. In this version all I've added is the threefold "Lord Have 
Mercy" refrain.

TEXT

I behold thy bridal chamber richly adorned, O my Savior,
and I have no wedding garment that I may enter therein;
O Giver of light, make radiant the garment of my soul and save me.