Abụ Ọma Na Azịza

Easter Sunday morning in a Nigerian parish is a time of unmatched joy, and the responsorial psalm is often the moment that joy truly overflows. Ezeigwe Chidi’s "Abụ Ọma Na Azịza" captures this perfectly. Setting the triumphant words of Psalm 118, the refrain declares, "Taa bụ ụbọchị Onyenweanyị mebere" (This is the day the Lord has made), inviting the entire congregation to rejoice and be glad.

For a choir, this piece is a delight to sing. The solfa notation lays out a bright, rhythmic chorus that immediately lifts the spirit, followed by three distinct verses that recount the Lord's goodness, His mighty right hand, and the stone rejected by the builders becoming the cornerstone. The verses are set with a natural speech rhythm that allows the cantor or choir section to proclaim the text clearly before the whole church joins back in the jubilant refrain.

We often look for psalm settings that do more than just cover the liturgical requirement—we want music that helps the people pray with their whole bodies. With its lively tempo and unmistakable Easter gladness, this arrangement does exactly that. It is a wonderful choice for the Easter season, bringing a distinctly indigenous, celebratory feel to the Liturgy of the Word.