Blessed are they that considereth the poor [Foundling Hospital Anthem] (Psalm 41:1-3) – George F. Handel

 

Psalm 41:1-3

¹ Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

² The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

³ The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

—

Handel’s music text:

Blessed are they that considereth the poor and needy:
the Lord will deliver them in time of trouble,
the Lord preserve them and comfort them.
They deliver the poor that crieth, the fatherless
and him that hath none to help him.
The Lord will comfort them.
O God, who from the suckling’s mouth
ordaineth early praise,
of such as worship Thee in truth
accept the humble lays.

The charitables shall be had in everlasting remembrance
and the good will shine as the brightness of the firmament.

Comfort them, O Lord, when they are sick:
make thou their bed in sickness.
Keep them alive, let them be blessed upon the earth
and not deliver them unto their foes.

Hallelujah.
The Kingdom of this world
is become the kingdom of our Lord
and of His Christ,
and He shall reign forever and ever.
Hallelujah!

—

Blessed are they that considereth the poor (Foundling Hospital Anthem), HWV 268, composed by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) and first performed May 27, 1749

Handel offered his first benefit concert for the Hospital in 1749 to fund the completion of the Chapel, and composed the anthem Blessed are they that considereth the poor, known as the Foundling Hospital Anthem, for this occasion. (source: Foundling Museum)

Performed by The Academy of Ancient Music, Dir. Simon Preston, Choir of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford
Soloists Emma Kirkby – Judith Nelson – Shirley Minty – James Bowman – Martyn Hill – David Thomas

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Foundling Hospital Anthem by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). Edited by Donald Burrows. For SSAT Vocal Soli, SATB Chorus, [0.2.0.1-0.2.0.0], Timpani, Strings, Basso continuo. This edition: Cloth-bound, hardcover. First Performance: May 27th, 1749. Choral. Full score. Text Language: English. Duration 32 minutes. Published by Edition Peters (PE.PB7227). 

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