Beneficence (William Billings)
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CPDL #32390:
- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2014-07-06). Score information: Letter, 1 page, 40 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Oval-note edition.
CPDL #32391:
- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2014-07-06). Score information: Letter (landscape), 1 page, 40 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Note shapes added (4-shape).
General Information
Title: Beneficence
Composer: William Billings
Lyricist: Nahum Tate and Nicholas Bradycreate page
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
Published: 1786
Description: Words by Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady, 1698, adaptation of Psalm 112.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
That man is blest who stands in awe
Of God, and loves his sacred law:
His seed on earth shall be renowned,
And with successive honors crowned.
His house, the seat of wealth, shall be
An inexhausted treasury;
His justice free from all decay,
Shall blessings to his heirs convey.
The soul that's filled with virtue's light,
Shines brightest in affliction's night:
To pity the distressed inclined,
As well as just to all mankind.
His liberal favors he extends,
To some he gives, to others lends.
Yet what his Charity impairs,
He saves by prudence in affairs.
Beset with threatening dangers round,
Unmoved shall he maintain his ground;
The sweet remembrance of the juft,
Shall flourish when he sleeps in duft.
Ill tidings never can surprise
His heart that still on God relies:
On safety's rock he sits and sees
The shipwreck of his enemies.