Forty days and forty nights

This hymn setting unfolds with a steadfast, unfolding power, reflecting the earnestness of its text. The SATB voices move in homophonic blocks for much of the piece, building a sense of resolute faith and communal prayer. The composer, whose identity is lost to time, captures the solemnity of Christ's forty-day fast in the wilderness, a period of intense spiritual trial and temptation. The English text, a prayer for spiritual discipline and steadfastness, finds a fitting musical home in this dignified and reverent anthem. It calls for a broad, resonant sound, encouraging reflection on shared suffering and the promise of divine peace.