Almighty God, which hast knit together

Thomas Tomkins’s anthem Almighty God, which hast knit together draws on a rich text expressing the Christian hope of eternal joy through fellowship in Christ. The composer crafts this prayer for grace to follow the saints in virtuous living using a grand eight-part texture (AATTBBBB or SSAATTBB), suited to the elaborate verse anthems he wrote for Worcester Cathedral. The setting unfolds with noble dignity, exploring the theological depths of the text, urging a virtuous life that leads to the profound joys prepared by God. Tomkins’s masterful command of vocal colour and texture illuminates the spiritual aspirations of the words, creating a powerful expression of faith and devotion.