O God, thou art my God (Henry Purcell)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Pdf
	Midi
	MusicXML
	Sibelius
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2025-02-18)  CPDL #83915:     

Editor: Charles Gurnham (submitted 2025-02-18).   Score information: A4, 12 pages, 144 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: With realized continuo.

• (Posted 2016-11-10)  CPDL #41762:       

Editor: Ross Jallo (submitted 2016-11-10).   Score information: Letter, 10 pages, 220 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Based on the version found in Boyce's Cathedral Music, Vol. II, in B-flat Major. Continuo realization provided.

• (Posted 2016-11-10)  CPDL #41763:       

Editor: Ross Jallo (submitted 2016-11-10).   Score information: Letter, 10 pages, 222 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Based on the version found in Boyce's Cathedral Music, Vol. II, transposed up a whole step to C Major. Continuo realization provided.

• (Posted 2001-07-09)  CPDL #02828:         

Editor: Stuart McIntosh (submitted 2001-07-09).   Score information: A4, 10 pages, 396 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Sibelius file is unzipped. C Major.

Alleluia only

• (Posted 2019-10-18)  CPDL #55638:       

Editor: Patrick Williams (submitted 2019-10-18).   Score information: Letter, 1 page, 34 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: B-flat.

General Information

Title: O God, thou art my God
Composer: Henry Purcell
Text: Psalm 63:1-5,8

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB, (verse ATB and SSA)
Genre: Sacred, Verse anthem

Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo, Organ

First published: 1768 in Cathedral Music, Volume 2, p. 148
Description: The concluding Hallelujah is the source of the hymn tune Westminster Abbey.

External websites:

• Free choir training aids for this work are available at Choralia.
• Performance by VOCES8 and Les Inventions

Original text and translations

Original text and translations may be found at Psalm 63. (vv. 1-5 and 8 with Hallelujahs).

English text

[full:] O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee.
[verse:] My soul thirsteth for thee,
my flesh also longeth after thee
in a barren and dry land where no water is.
[full:] Thus have I looked for thee in holiness:
that I might behold thy power and glory.
[verse:] For thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself:
my lips shall praise thee.
[full:] As long as I live will I magnify thee on this manner:
and lift up my hands in thy Name.
Because thou hast been my helper:
therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
Halelujah.