This edition was prepared by Malcolm Lowe — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Hear my prayer, O Lord
Staff Notation • Sacred, Anthems
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5 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Hear my prayer, O Lord by Thomas Tomkins — Lyrics
Oratio pauperis, cum anxius fuerit, et in conspectu Domini effuderit precem suam.
Domine, exaudi orationem meam,
et clamor meus ad te veniat.
Non avertas faciem tuam a me:
in quacumque die tribulor, inclina ad me aurem tuam;
in quacumque die invocavero te, velociter exaudi me.
Quia defecerunt sicut fumus dies mei,
et ossa mea sicut cremium aruerunt.
Percussus sum ut foenum, et aruit cor meum,
quia oblitus sum comedere panem meum.
A voce gemitus mei adhaesit os meum carni meae.
Similis factus sum pellicano solitudinis;
factus sum sicut nycticorax in domicilio.
Vigilavi, et factus sum sicut passer solitarius in tecto.
Tota die exprobrabant mihi inimici mei,
et qui laudabant me adversum me jurabant:
quia cinerem tamquam panem manducabam,
et potum meum cum fletu miscebam,
a facie irae et indignationis tuae:
quia elevans allisisti me.
Dies mei sicut umbra declinaverunt,
et ego sicut foenum arui.
Tu autem, Domine, in aeternum permanes,
et memoriale tuum in generationem et generationem.
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About Hear my prayer, O Lord
This moving anthem by Thomas Tomkins sets a deeply personal prayer for solace in times of tribulation. The text, in Latin, expresses the anguish of a soul overwhelmed by enemies and affliction, likening their days to smoke and bones to dry kindling. The composer’s setting for ATB voices masterfully conveys the lament, with the plea for the Lord to hear and not turn away his face. The motet begins with the pauper’s prayer, reflecting a mood of profound supplication, before moving into the more direct plea, Domine, exaudi orationem meam. It is a powerful choice for services of penitence or a moment of introspection within a larger liturgy.
