Benedicimus Deum coeli

Samuel Webbe’s Benedicimus Deum coeli is a sacred setting for SATB choir, sung in Latin. The music opens with a direct, chordal texture that quickly develops into a more imitative dialogue between the voices. The text, taken from the book of Daniel, is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving: 'We bless the God of heaven, and before all the living shall we confess him: for he hath shown his mercy to us.' The composer’s setting is characterised by its clear part-writing and its confident, affirmative mood, building towards a powerful expression of divine mercy. This piece offers a substantial, yet accessible, Communion hymn suitable for a range of church choirs.