Haec est dies

The text expresses jubilant exultation and praise, declaring 'This is the day the Lord has made.' It then shifts to a personal reflection of awakening and reassurance, with the singer stating, 'I slept and took my rest, and I have risen again, for the Lord has sustained me.' This powerful motet is set for SATTB voices and sung in Latin. Composer Claudio Merulo was a significant figure in late Renaissance Venetian music, known for his organ works and sacred compositions. This setting allows for rich choral textures to convey the text's message of divine grace and rejoicing.