This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Chelsea (1770)
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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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.
SATB · Barry Johnston
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Chelsea (1770) by William Billings — Lyrics
Huic David, quando terra ejus restituta est.
Dominus regnavit: exsultet terra; laetentur insulae multae.
Nubes et caligo in circuitu ejus; justitia et judicium correctio
sedis ejus.
Ignis ante ipsum praecedet, et inflammabit in circuitu inimicos ejus.
Illuxerunt fulgura ejus orbi terrae; vidit, et commota est terra.
Montes sicut cera fluxerunt a facie Domini; a facie Domini omnis terra.
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About Chelsea (1770)
This setting of the 1770 hymn Chelsea opens with text expressing God's triumphant reign and the rejoicing of the earth. The Latin passages evoke a powerful image of divine justice, with fire preceding God and lightning illuminating the world. Mountains melt like wax before His presence, while the heavens announce His righteousness and all peoples witness His glory. The text moves to a call for confusion upon idolaters and praises all angels. The choir director will find this SATB work offers a substantial and dramatic setting of significant scriptural passages, suitable for a strong choral statement.
