Hear my prayer [O for the wings of a dove] (Psalm 55:1-7) – Felix Mendelssohn

 

Psalm 55:1-7

¹ Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

² Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

³ Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

⁴ My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

⁶ And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

⁷ Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

–

Music text, paraphrased by William Bartholomew (1793-1867)

Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear!
Thyself from my petition do not hide!
Take heed to me! Hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee!
Without Thee all is dark, I have no guide.

The enemy shouteth, The godless come fast!
Iniquity, hatred upon me they cast!
The wicked oppress me, Ah, where shall I fly?
Perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry!

My heart is sorely pained within my breast,
My soul with deathly terror is oppressed,
Trembling and fearfulness upon me fall,
With horror overhelmed, Lord, hear me call!

O for the wings of a dove!
Far away would I rove!
In the wilderness build me a nest,
And remain there for ever at rest.

—

Hear my prayer/O for the wings of a dove, composed in 1844 by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) and first performed in Crosby Hall, London, on January 8, 1845.

Performed by the Schola Cantorum of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at Choral Evensong on 20 March 2011. Soprano soloist Sara Botkin. Alastair Stout, organ; Peter Luley, conductor.

Performed by the Choir of Ely Cathedral, soloist George Bartle

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Hear My Prayer. (Soprano Solo, SATB and Organ). By Felix Bartholdy Mendelssohn (1809-1847). For Choral, Soprano, Organ Accompaniment (SATB, Organ). Music Sales America. Romantic, Choral. 24 pages. Novello & Co Ltd. #NOV291599. Published by Novello & Co Ltd.

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