Congregati sunt inimici nostri

This powerful motet for double SATB choir imagines a setting of intense conflict, where enemies gather and boast of their strength. The text is a fervent prayer for divine intervention, asking God to break the might of these foes and scatter them, so that all may know He alone is their protector. The composer Giulio Belli, active in late 16th and early 17th century Italy, crafts a dramatic musical setting for this psalm verse. The intricate voicing of eight parts allows for rich polyphonic textures, ideal for a solemn occasion during the liturgical year, perhaps during the season of Septuagesima or Lent when penitential themes are prominent.