for mixed voices (SSAATTBB) & organ
Text: Latin (Psalm 45 (46))
Duration: 5'00''
Difficulty: 4/5
Use: General


Commissioned by the Leeds Festival Chorus with assistance from the
Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society. First performed on 29 March 2014 in Leeds Town Hall by
Leeds Festival Chorus, conducted by Simon Wright.

Text
In finem, filiis Core, pro arcanis. Psalmus.

1 Deus noster refugium et virtus; adjutor in tribulationibus quæ invenerunt nos nimis.

2 Propterea non timebimus dum turbabitur terra, et transferentur montes in cor maris.

3 Sonaverunt, et turbatæ sunt aquæ eorum; conturbati sunt montes in fortitudine ejus.

4 Fluminis impetus lætificat civitatem Dei: sanctificavit tabernaculum suum Altissimus.

5 Deus in medio ejus, non commovebitur; adjuvabit eam Deus mane diluculo.

6 Conturbatæ sunt gentes, inclinata sunt regna: dedit vocem suam, mota est terra.

7 Dominus virtutum nobiscum; susceptor noster Deus Jacob.

8 Venite et videte opera Domini, quæ posuit prodigia super terram.

9 Auferens bella usque ad finem terræ. Arcum conteret, et confringet arma, et scuta conburet in igne.

10 Vacate, et videte quoniam ego sum Deus; exaltabor in gentibus, exaltabor in terra.

11 Dominus virtutum nobiscum; susceptor noster Deus Jacob.

Unto the end, for the sons of Korah, for confidants. A Psalm.

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of
the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the
most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he
burneth the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.


Psalm 45 (46)


James MacMillan
Born in Scotland in 1959, James MacMillan studied at Edinburgh and Durham Universities and now lives in Glasgow. His early successes as a composer in the 1990s included The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, premiered at the BBC Proms, and the percussion concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel written for Evelyn Glennie. MacMillan has a special interest in choral composition, ranging from simple liturgical settings for use in church services, to major works for choir and orchestra including Seven Last Words from the Cross, Quickening and St John Passion. His music has been championed and recorded by leading choirs and vocal groups including Cappella Nova, Polyphony, The Hilliard Ensemble, The Sixteen, Westminster Cathedral Choir and the Netherlands Chamber Choir. With their Gaelic inflections and characteristic mixing of ancient and modern, his works have also proved popular with amateur chamber choirs around the world.