I have Longed for Thy Saving Health - Choir Script PDF Thumbnail
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Edition by Kurt Olsen
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Added Jul 31, 2026
Composer: William Byrd
Format: Staff
Language: Latin, English
Pages: 7 pages
This edition was prepared by Kurt Olsen — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.

I have Longed for Thy Saving Health by William Byrd — 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 I have Longed for Thy Saving Health

William Byrd, a master of English polyphony, wrote this motet for SATB choir. The text is a setting of Psalm 119, verses 1-11, known as the first of the alphabetical psalms, 'Beati immaculati'. The composer chose to set the opening verses in Latin. The text reflects on the blessedness of those who walk in God's law and seek Him with their whole heart, praying for guidance to keep His commandments and not be ashamed. Byrd's setting, typical of the English Renaissance sacred tradition, demands precision and clarity from the choir, with intricate contrapuntal lines woven together to express the devotion and earnest seeking of the psalmist.