This edition was prepared by Gerd Eichler — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Herr Gott Vater im höchsten Thron, SWV 188
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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5 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Herr Gott Vater im höchsten Thron, SWV 188 by Heinrich Schütz — 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.
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About Herr Gott Vater im höchsten Thron, SWV 188
Heinrich Schütz's Herr Gott Vater im höchsten Thron, SWV 188, is a setting of a profound prayer by Moses, the man of God. The text, drawn from Psalm 90, reflects on God's eternal nature contrasting with the transience of human life. It speaks of humanity's frailty and sin, acknowledging God's judgment while simultaneously appealing for His mercy and protection. The composer's SATB setting, in German and Latin, captures the solemnity and deep spiritual longing of the prayer. This sacred hymn would be appropriate for services reflecting on human mortality, divine providence, or the need for repentance and reconciliation.
