This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Imminence
Staff Notation • Sacred, Set pieces
Preview
0
0
3 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.
Imminence by Abijah Forbush — Lyrics
Psalmus ipsi David, quarta sabbati. Deus ultionum Dominus; Deus ultionum libere egit.
Exaltare, qui judicas terram; redde retributionem superbis.
Usquequo peccatores, Domine, usquequo peccatores gloriabuntur;
effabuntur et loquentur iniquitatem; loquentur omnes qui operantur injustitiam?
Populum tuum, Domine, humiliaverunt, et haereditatem tuam vexaverunt.
Viduam et advenam interfecerunt, et pupillos occiderunt.
Et dixerunt: Non videbit Dominus, nec intelliget Deus Jacob.
Intelligite, insipientes in populo; et stulti, aliquando sapite.
Qui plantavit aurem non audiet? aut qui finxit oculum non considerat?
Qui corripit gentes non arguet, qui docet hominem scientiam?
Dominus scit cogitationes hominum, quoniam vanae sunt.
Beatus homo quem tu erudieris, Domine, et de lege tua docueris eum:
ut mitiges ei a diebus malis, donec fodiatur peccatori fovea.
Read full lyrics
About Imminence
This setting of Psalm 94 is for SATB choir, weaving together Latin and English texts. The psalm is a powerful call for divine justice against the wicked, who oppress God's people and disregard His judgment. The composer Abijah Forbush crafts a sacred work that grapples with themes of retribution and righteousness. The Latin opening, Deus ultionum Dominus, sets a tone of divine vengeance, while the English sections likely offer a contemporary reflection or exposition on these weighty matters. This piece would suit a service or concert where the choir can explore the dramatic and theological depths of the text, demanding a confident and expressive performance from the singers.
