This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Humility
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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Humility by Alexander Gillet — Lyrics
Alleluja. Aleph. Beati immaculati in via, qui ambulant in lege Domini.
Beati qui scrutantur testimonia ejus; in toto corde exquirunt eum.
Non enim qui operantur iniquitatem in viis ejus ambulaverunt.
Tu mandasti mandata tua custodiri nimis.
Utinam dirigantur viae meae ad custodiendas justificationes tuas.
Tunc non confundar, cum perspexero in omnibus mandatis tuis.
Confitebor tibi in directione cordis, in eo quod didici judicia
justitiae tuae.
Justificationes tuas custodiam; non me derelinquas usquequaque.
Beth. In quo corrigit adolescentior viam suam? in custodiendo sermones tuos.
In toto corde meo exquisivi te; ne repellas me a mandatis tuis.
In corde meo abscondi eloquia tua, ut non peccem tibi.
Benedictus es, Domine; doce me justificationes tuas.
In labiis meis pronuntiavi omnia judicia oris tui.
In via testimoniorum tuorum delectatus sum, sicut in omnibus divitiis.
In mandatis tuis exercebor, et considerabo vias tuas.
In justificationibus tuis meditabor: non obliviscar sermones tuos.
Ghimel. Retribue servo tuo, vivifica me, et custodiam sermones tuos.
Revela oculos meos, et considerabo mirabilia de lege tua.
Incola ego sum in terra: non abscondas a me mandata tua.
Concupivit anima mea desiderare justificationes tuas in omni tempore.
Increpasti superbos; maledicti qui declinant a mandatis tuis.
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About Humility
Alexander Gillet’s Humility sets a Latin text from Psalm 119, the longest psalm in the Bible. This SATB setting opens with a rich, homophonic texture, creating a sense of awe and contemplation. The music directly reflects the lyrical content, a prayer for guidance and steadfastness in following God's law. The composer skillfully weaves the choir’s four parts together, moving from declarations of faith to earnest pleas for divine assistance. Later sections introduce more contrapuntal interest, mirroring the journey through the psalm's verses and the profound commitment required to uphold its teachings. The dual-language nature of the work, incorporating both Latin and English, broadens its appeal and accessibility.
