O where shall wisdom be found? (Job 28: 12–15, 18, 20–21a, 23‐28) – William Boyce

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 air. ²³ 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.

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

Sung by Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir

Free sheet music at Choral Public Domain Library