Pesaleme ea 103

Mohapeloa first published ‘Pesaleme’ in Morija in 1939 as the twentieth of 32 songs in the first edition of Meloli le Lithallere tsa Afrika ka J.P. Mohapeloa: Buka ea Bobeli (African Songs and Extemporary Harmonizations by J.P. Mohapeloa: Book II). In later editions, from 1955 onwards, the song was entitled ‘Pesaleme ea 103’. Mohapeloa adapts the first few lines of the Old Testament Psalm 103 to suit his need for a simple prayerful song, with no repeats. Like ‘Khanya’, the last song in Meloli I, the style is that of a chorus rather than a hymn for congregational singing. In his free translation made in 1965 for the South African Broadcasting Service, Mohapeloa changed his mind a couple of times, writing, ‘Praise’ and then ‘Bless’ the Lord, and ‘Praise my soul’ then ‘Bless the Lord O my soul’.