The Call of Wisdom

Music by Will Todd
Words by Michael Hampel (based on Proverbs 8)

Commissioned by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral for the Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen, with generous sponsorship by The Worshipful Company of Horners.

Lord of wisdom, Lord of truth,
Lord of justice, Lord of mercy;
walk beside us down the years
till we see you in your glory.
Striving to attain the heights,
turning in a new direction,
entering a lonely place,
welcoming a friend or stranger.
I am here, I am with you. I have called: do you hear me?

Silver is of passing worth,
gold is not of constant value,
jewels sparkle for a while;
what you long for is not lasting. Rulers govern under me
with my insight and my wisdom. Those who know me know my love, those who seek me find their answer. God the Father and the Son,
Holy Spirit coeternal.
Glory be ascribed to you,
now and to the end of ages.

O sing unto the Lord a new song

By Henry Purcell
Based Psalm 96

O sing unto the Lord a new song.
Alleluia.

Sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
Alleluia.

Sing unto the Lord,
sing unto the Lord and praise his name:
Sing unto the Lord,
sing unto the Lord and praise his name:
be telling of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his honour unto the heathen:
and his wonders unto all people.

Glory and worship are before him :
power and honour are in his sanctuary.

The Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised:
he is more to be feared than all gods.
As for the gods of the heathen, they are but idols:
but it is the Lord that made the heavens.

Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks

By Herbert Howells
Based on Psalm 42

Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks :
so longeth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God :
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
My tears have been my meat day and night :
while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God?