This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Decay
Staff Notation • Sacred
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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 · Barry Johnston
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Decay by Stephen Jenks — Lyrics
Ipsi David. Benedic, anima mea, Domino, et omnia quae intra me sunt nomini sancto ejus.
Benedic, anima mea, Domino, et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus.
Qui propitiatur omnibus iniquitatibus tuis; qui sanat omnes infirmitates tuas:
qui redimit de interitu vitam tuam; qui coronat te in misericordia et miserationibus:
qui replet in bonis desiderium tuum; renovabitur ut aquilae juventus tua:
faciens misericordias Dominus, et judicium omnibus injuriam patientibus.
Notas fecit vias suas Moysi; filiis Israël voluntates suas.
Miserator et misericors Dominus: longanimis, et multum misericors.
Non in perpetuum irascetur, neque in aeternum comminabitur.
Non secundum peccata nostra fecit nobis, neque secundum iniquitates nostras retribuit nobis.
Quoniam secundum altitudinem caeli a terra, corroboravit misericordiam suam
super timentes se;
quantum distat ortus ab occidente, longe fecit a nobis iniquitates nostras.
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About Decay
Stephen Jenks’ setting of Decay opens with a contrapuntal texture that immediately draws the listener in. The SATB choir moves with a fluid grace, creating a rich sonic landscape. The text is a paraphrase of Psalm 103, beginning in Latin with a call to bless the Lord for His healing and redemptive mercies, and then transitioning to English. The composer captures the devotional spirit of the psalm, with moments of quiet reflection and soaring praise. The interplay between the voices reflects the text’s profound expression of God’s enduring compassion and forgiveness, making this a moving addition to any sacred choral programme.
