This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Georgia (1779)
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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Georgia (1779) by William Billings — Lyrics
In finem. Psalmus David,
cum venit ad eum Nathan propheta, quando intravit ad Bethsabee.
Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam; et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco, et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci; ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.
Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti; incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi.
Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor; lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.
Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exsultabunt ossa humiliata.
Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis, et omnes iniquitates meas dele.
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About Georgia (1779)
William Billings's setting of the Miserere, Psalm 51, offers a powerful reflection on sin and repentance. The text, a profound plea for divine mercy and cleansing, is rendered in both Latin and English, suggesting its potential use in services where a bilingual congregation might be present or for educational purposes exploring the psalm's varied translations. This SATB arrangement presents the sacred text with a directness characteristic of Billings's style, making it a compelling choice for choirs looking for a robust and spiritually resonant anthem. The composer's straightforward approach to the music underscores the raw emotion of the psalm, inviting deep contemplation from both performers and listeners, suitable for contemplative seasons or penitential occasions.
