Miserere mihi Domine, quoniam ad te clamavi tota die: quia tu Domine suavis ac mitis es, et copiosus in misericordia omnibus invocantibus te.
“Have mercy on me, Lord, for I cry to you all day long. Because you, Lord, are pleasant and gentle, and (you are) copious in your mercy for all who invoke you.” (Ps 86(85):3.5)
Click here to listen to an audio of the chant.
Sung by Liborius Lumma, Innsbruck (Austria).
In my posts on the introit antiphons I have often dealt with melodic directions. It is a bit of a surprise that the melody of the word clamavi (“I cry (or: have cried) to you”) does not express someone who cries to heaven but rather someone who desperately sinks into the dust, weak and powerless.
The climax of this introit is copiosus in the third line: When the psalmist remembers God’s abundance, he or she regains all power. Being faithful when we are healthy and happy is easy, but true faith shines into the darkness of our hearts and souls.
Please leave a reply.