Thomas Tallis -- "Spem In Alium"

This magnificent motet was composed for eight choirs of five voices each. Tallis wrote the piece about 1570 for the birthday of Queen Elizabeth I.

Latin

The original Latin text of the motet is from a response (at Matins, for the 3rd Lesson, during the V week of September), in the Sarum Rite, adapted from the Book of Judith.

Spem in alium numquam habui praeter in te Deus Israel
qui irasceris
et propitius eris
et omnia peccata hominum in tribulatione dimittis
Domine Deus
Creator coeli et terrae
respice humilitatem nostram


English translation

I have never put my hope in any other but in you,
O God of Israel
who can show both anger
and graciousness,
and who absolves all the sins of suffering man
Lord God,
Creator of Heaven and Earth
be mindful of our humiliation.