In manus tuas

Sing this responsory at Compline, the final office of the day. It is also appropriate for Tenebrae, the services of Holy Week. The Latin text, a prayer from Psalm 31, is a profound expression of trust in God: "Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth." John Sheppard’s setting for SATB voices is a powerful and moving testament to the text. His rich harmonic language and flowing melodic lines create an atmosphere of deep contemplation and spiritual surrender, perfectly suited to the solemnity of the liturgical moments for which it is intended. It is a cornerstone of the English Renaissance sacred repertoire.