The score contains references to passages in both the Old Testament and the New Testament These should serve as non-specific programmatic guides to the character of the sections. The composition is freely serially based, but also draws upon the octatonic scale for both melodic and harmonic resources. The work was inspired by various passages from the Bible, and also contains quotations of other music that uses the octatonic scale by Gershwin, Bartok and Stravinsky, that is, other passages.

Psalm 137: 1-2 By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps.

Exodus 3:2There an angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush.

Psalm 95: 7-8If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Luke 9:29While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.

I Kings 19:11A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord – but the Lord was not in the whirlwind.

Luke 2: 32A light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.