This edition was prepared by Douglas Walczak — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
How long wilt thou be angry Lord
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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How long wilt thou be angry Lord by Henry Purcell — Lyrics
Psalmus Asaph. Deus, venerunt gentes in haereditatem tuam; polluerunt templum sanctum tuum; posuerunt Jerusalem in pomorum custodiam.
Posuerunt morticina servorum tuorum escas volatilibus caeli;
carnes sanctorum tuorum bestiis terrae.
Effuderunt sanguinem eorum tamquam aquam in circuitu Jerusalem, et non erat qui sepeliret.
Facti sumus opprobrium vicinis nostris; subsannatio et illusio his qui
in circuitu nostro sunt.
Usquequo, Domine, irasceris in finem? accendetur velut ignis zelus tuus?
Effunde iram tuam in gentes quae te non noverunt, et in regna
quae nomen tuum non invocaverunt:
quia comederunt Jacob, et locum ejus desolaverunt.
Ne memineris iniquitatum nostrarum antiquarum; cito anticipent nos misericordiae tuae,
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About How long wilt thou be angry Lord
A powerful setting of Psalm 79, this anthem for SATB choir begins with a plea, "How long wilt thou be angry, Lord?" The text, a lament over the desecration of God's temple and the suffering of his people, is delivered in English, though its origins lie in a Latin psalm. Purcell's music reflects the profound sorrow and supplication of the words, creating a moving experience suitable for services of repentance or contemplation. The contrast between the raw grief expressed in the text and the structured beauty of the choral writing makes this a compelling choice for choirs seeking to explore dramatic sacred repertoire.
