This edition was prepared by Edmund Gooch — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Evening Hymn
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
Preview
0
0
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
Evening Hymn by Elisha West — Lyrics
Oratio Moysi, hominis Dei. Domine, refugium factus es nobis a generatione in generationem.
Priusquam montes fierent, aut formaretur terra et orbis,
a saeculo et usque in saeculum tu es, Deus.
Ne avertas hominem in humilitatem: et dixisti: Convertimini, filii hominum.
Quoniam mille anni ante oculos tuos tamquam dies hesterna quae praeteriit: et custodia in nocte
quae pro nihilo habentur, eorum anni erunt.
Mane sicut herba transeat;
mane floreat, et transeat; vespere decidat, induret, et arescat.
Quia defecimus in ira tua, et in furore tuo turbati sumus.
Posuisti iniquitates nostras in conspectu tuo; saeculum nostrum in illuminatione vultus tui.
Quoniam omnes dies nostri defecerunt, et in ira tua defecimus.
Anni nostri sicut aranea meditabuntur;
dies annorum nostrorum in ipsis septuaginta anni.
Read full lyrics
About Evening Hymn
Elisha West's Evening Hymn offers a profound meditation on the transient nature of human life in contrast to the eternal constancy of God. The text, drawing on Psalm 90, paints a vivid picture of the swift passage of days, comparing them to grass that flourishes in the morning and withers by evening. The composer sets this introspective Latin text for SATB choir, allowing the rich harmonies to underscore the spiritual depth of the message. This sacred work provides a contemplative moment, reminding listeners of humanity's dependence on divine mercy amidst the fleetingness of time. Its hymn-like quality makes it suitable for reflection and prayerful consideration within a liturgical setting.
