This edition was prepared by Malcolm Lowe — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Have mercy upon me, O God a 3
Staff Notation • Sacred, Anthems
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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.
SAT, SAB, ATB · Raymond Nagem
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Have mercy upon me, O God a 3 by Thomas Tomkins — 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 Have mercy upon me, O God a 3
Thomas Tomkins sets Psalm 51, a profound prayer for divine mercy and forgiveness. The text, drawn from the Latin Vulgate, speaks of a contrite heart acknowledging sin and seeking cleansing. Tomkins' setting, available for SAT, SAB, and ATB voices, moves between Latin and English, reflecting the common practice of his time for sacred music. The composer's skill is evident in his sensitive musical shaping of this deeply personal and universal plea for God's grace, making it a powerful expression of penitence and hope for any choir.
