This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Deus venerunt gentes
Staff Notation • Sacred, Motets
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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.
ATTBB · David Fraser
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Deus venerunt gentes by William Byrd — Lyrics
Psalmus Asaph. Deus, venerunt gentes in haereditatem tuam; polluerunt templum sanctum tuum; posuerunt Jerusalem in pomorum custodiam.
Posuerunt morticina servorum tuorum escas volatilibus caeli;
carnes sanctorum tuorum bestiis terrae.
Effuderunt sanguinem eorum tamquam aquam in circuitu Jerusalem, et non erat qui sepeliret.
Facti sumus opprobrium vicinis nostris; subsannatio et illusio his qui
in circuitu nostro sunt.
Usquequo, Domine, irasceris in finem? accendetur velut ignis zelus tuus?
Effunde iram tuam in gentes quae te non noverunt, et in regna
quae nomen tuum non invocaverunt:
quia comederunt Jacob, et locum ejus desolaverunt.
Ne memineris iniquitatum nostrarum antiquarum; cito anticipent nos misericordiae tuae,
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About Deus venerunt gentes
William Byrd sets this passage from Psalm 79 (or 78 in the Vulgate) for ATTBB choir. The text is a lamentation, describing the desecration of God's temple and the scattering of the bodies of his servants. The music reflects the solemnity and anguish of the words, with rich harmonic writing and careful attention to textual declamation. The composer’s setting builds in intensity, capturing the plea for divine retribution against those who have ravaged the land and rejected God. This is a powerful and moving motet, often performed in a liturgical context.
