This edition was prepared by Ross Jallo — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Arise, O Lord, and have mercy upon Sion
Staff Notation • Sacred, Anthems
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
ATB, SAB · Ross Jallo
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Arise, O Lord, and have mercy upon Sion by Thomas Tomkins — Lyrics
Oratio pauperis, cum anxius fuerit, et in conspectu Domini effuderit precem suam.
Domine, exaudi orationem meam,
et clamor meus ad te veniat.
Non avertas faciem tuam a me:
in quacumque die tribulor, inclina ad me aurem tuam;
in quacumque die invocavero te, velociter exaudi me.
Quia defecerunt sicut fumus dies mei,
et ossa mea sicut cremium aruerunt.
Percussus sum ut foenum, et aruit cor meum,
quia oblitus sum comedere panem meum.
A voce gemitus mei adhaesit os meum carni meae.
Similis factus sum pellicano solitudinis;
factus sum sicut nycticorax in domicilio.
Vigilavi, et factus sum sicut passer solitarius in tecto.
Tota die exprobrabant mihi inimici mei,
et qui laudabant me adversum me jurabant:
quia cinerem tamquam panem manducabam,
et potum meum cum fletu miscebam,
a facie irae et indignationis tuae:
quia elevans allisisti me.
Dies mei sicut umbra declinaverunt,
et ego sicut foenum arui.
Tu autem, Domine, in aeternum permanes,
et memoriale tuum in generationem et generationem.
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About Arise, O Lord, and have mercy upon Sion
This setting of a poignant prayer, expressing deep distress and a plea for divine intervention, is by Thomas Tomkins. The text, a personal lament from the Psalms, vividly portrays the suffering of the afflicted, with days like smoke and bones dried up. The composer captures this profound sense of desolation and supplication through his setting. Originally conceived for a Latin text, the work has been adapted to English, making its powerful message accessible to a wider audience. The voicing for ATB and SAB allows for a rich yet flexible choral sound, suitable for services or concerts where a moving expression of faith and hardship is desired.
