This edition was prepared by Edmund Gooch — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
If the Lord himself had not been on our side
Staff Notation • Sacred, Anthems
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If the Lord himself had not been on our side by William Knapp — Lyrics
Canticum graduum. Nisi quia Dominus erat in nobis, dicat nunc Israël,
nisi quia Dominus erat in nobis: cum exsurgerent homines in nos,
forte vivos deglutissent nos; cum irasceretur furor eorum in nos,
forte aquae absorbuisset nos;
torrentem pertransivit anima nostra;
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About If the Lord himself had not been on our side
These words, drawn from Psalm 124, express profound relief and gratitude. The text paints a vivid picture of deliverance from overwhelming peril, likening the soul to a bird escaping a hunter's snare. The composer William Knapp sets this powerful assurance for SATB choir, blending Latin and English to create a compelling anthem. The music reflects the text's journey from near-disaster to steadfast trust in divine protection. It is a stirring declaration that without the Lord's presence, all would have been lost, but through him, deliverance is found. The piece is a testament to faith in the face of adversity.
