O Blessed Trinity

- Gregory Hamilton

PDF Sample

Use: General
Required Resources: unison choir or low solo voice, organ
Language: English

The ancient Latin antiphon for Vespers on Trinity Sunday is Te Deum Patrem ingenitum. Its beautiful English translation was used by Gregory Hamilton for his simple, unison motet, "O Blessed Trinity."

Thou, God the unbegotten Father,
thou, the only-begotten Son,
and thou the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
the holy and undivided Trinity,
with all our heart and voice we confess thee;
we praise thee, and bless thee;
to thee be glory for ever.
Amen.

The motet may be sung by a unison choir or a medium solo voice. The range is middle C to D, a ninth above. This can certainly be sung by any treble choir (or a male choir), but do not overlook the value of unison singing by a mixed SATB group. The choir can learn precision in diction and pitch, the joys of actually singing together, and the respite of an easy yet delightful piece.

Obviously suited for Trinity Sunday, this motet can be sung at almost any liturgy, since the Trinity doctrine is fundamental to Christian worship.

"Worship then the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons distinct in properties but one in Godhead; for the Godhead is common to all three, and all three share one nature, one essence, a single glory, a single kingdom, a common might, and a common dominion." - Demetrius of Rostov, a Russian Orthodox theologian.