This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Behold, O God our defender
Staff Notation • Sacred, Anthems
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Michael Gibson
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Behold, O God our defender by John Blow — Lyrics
Behold, O God our defender, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
Great prosperity givest thou unto thy king
and will show loving kindness unto thine anointed for evermore.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces.
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About Behold, O God our defender
John Blow's anthems represent a significant part of English church music in the late 17th century. This setting of Behold, O God our defender for SATB choir draws on Old Testament scripture. The text, a powerful supplication and praise, invokes divine protection for a ruler, celebrating his strength and assured favour. Blow's music would have been intended for cathedral or chapel use, where the grandeur of the text demands a robust musical setting. The composition reflects the composer's mastery of contrapuntal writing and harmonic colour, creating a dramatic and majestic sound-world appropriate to the sacred subject matter. The full SATB forces allow for rich textural possibilities, from moments of soloistic clarity to grand, tutti pronouncements.
