This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Exeter
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
Preview
0
0
4 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
Exeter by William Billings — Lyrics
Ipsi David intellectus. Beati quorum remissae sunt iniquitates, et quorum tecta sunt peccata.
Beatus vir cui non imputavit Dominus peccatum, nec est in spiritu ejus dolus.
Quoniam tacui, inveteraverunt ossa mea, dum clamarem tota die.
Quoniam die ac nocte gravata est super me manus tua,
conversus sum in aerumna mea, dum configitur spina.
Delictum meum cognitum tibi feci, et injustitiam meam non abscondi.
Dixi: Confitebor adversum me injustitiam meam Domino; et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei.
Pro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus in tempore opportuno.
Verumtamen in diluvio aquarum multarum, ad eum non approximabunt.
Read full lyrics
About Exeter
William Billings, a notable figure of early American music, composed this sacred hymn, Exeter. Set for SATB choir, the work features both Latin and English text, drawing from the Psalms. The Latin sections express themes of confession and divine forgiveness, reflecting on the burden of sin and the relief found in God's absolution. The contrasting English sections likely provide a contemporary or vernacular interpretation of these profound spiritual sentiments. Billings's robust and direct musical style is evident in his compositions, aiming for clarity and emotional impact in his sacred works.
