Mihi autem nimis

This antiphon (138:17 in the Vulgate or 139 in the Septuagint) is used for feasts of several apostles as well as being the offertory for the Conversion of St. Paul <ref>Catholics are allowed to use the propers Jan 25, 2009 in place of those for Ordinary Time 3 to celebrate Paul's jubilee aniversary. It being a Menelssohn year as well, it is not clear there will be a marked increase in demand for Mihi autem settings! </ref>. The chant is found on p 1206 of the Liber usualis as the introit for St. Andeas, using vv. 1-2 for the verse and again as the offertory on p. 1207.

It has been set by:

• Tallis (AATBB) and
• Palestrina (SAATB or SATTB)

as well as by Dufay (Missa S. Jacobi), Isaac (CC3), Thomas Stolzer, Carissimi (SSB & bc), Adolf Hasse (with orchestra) and Flor Peeters (SATB & organ).

The offertory Mihi autem adhaerere (psalm 73) from the mass of St. Francis, has been set for men's voices by Franz Liszt. {reflist}

Original text and translations

Latin text

Mihi autem nimis honorificati sunt amici tui, Deus,

nimis confortatus est principatus eorum.

(Ps 138,17)

English translation

But to me thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honourable:
their principality is exceedingly strengthened.!

(Ps 138:17, Reims-Douay translation)

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

(Ps 139:17, King James)

German translation

Aber wie köstlich sind vor mir, Gott, deine Gedanken!
Wie ist ihrer so eine große Summe!

(Luther, 1545)