Domine ne longe facias

Rogier Michael's Domine ne longe facias is a sacred work for SATTB choir, sung in Latin. The text is drawn from Psalm 22 (verse 19 in the Vulgate), a psalm of supplication. The composer sets the prayer for divine assistance, pleading for God's help not to be distant, and for protection against enemies. The lyrics speak of looking upon the singer's defense, deliverance from the lion's mouth, and rescue from the 'horns of the unicorns'—a vivid image of extreme danger and suffering. This motet offers a powerful musical setting of profound spiritual distress and reliance on divine intervention, suitable for liturgical use.