Job 28: 12–15, 18, 20–21a, 23‐28 – 12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? 13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. 14 The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. 15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. 18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. 20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? 21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. 24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; 25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. 26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: 27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. 28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Job's Tormentors, from William Blake's Illustrations of the Book of Job (1793)
Job’s Tormentors, from William Blake’s Illustrations of the Book of Job (1793)

O where shall wisdom be found? by William Boyce (1711-1779), first published in Collection of Anthems and a Short Service (1790)

O Where Shall Wisdom Be Found (W. Boyce) - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir

Sung by Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir

Free sheet music at Choral Public Domain Library

 

William Boyce, composer
William Boyce, composer

Psalm 19:1-5; Rev. 15:3b,4:11

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.


The heavens declare the glory of God (published 1790), composed by William Boyce (1711-1779)

The heavens declare the glory of God (William Boyce): Guildford Cathedral 1965 (Barry Rose)

Performed by Guildford Cathedral Choir, Gavin Williams (organ), directed by Barry Rose

FREE SHEET MUSIC

Choral Public Domain Library