HOW CAN I REPAY THE LORD

"How Can I Repay The Lord" is a well-known setting of Psalm 116 composed by Rev. Fr. Okwy Tony Umeh. In Nigerian Catholic parishes, this piece frequently serves a dual purpose: it is sung as a Responsorial Psalm on feast days like Holy Thursday and Corpus Christi, and it is a massive favourite for the Offertory. The lyrics speak directly to the heart of thanksgiving, asking what we could possibly give back to God for His endless blessings.

The arrangement begins with reflective, unison-style verses that allow the choir to clearly proclaim the psalmist's gratitude. This calm opening gives way to a much more dynamic and layered refrain. As the sopranos declare their intent to "raise the cup of salvation," the lower voices respond and interweave, creating a joyful, rhythmic build-up that perfectly matches the energy of a Nigerian thanksgiving procession.

Choirmasters love this piece because it is straightforward to teach yet sounds incredibly full once the harmony parts lock in. When the congregation hears the familiar opening line, it naturally invites them into a spirit of offering, making the procession to the altar feel both personal and deeply communal.