The souls of the righteous

General information

Source of text is Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-2,3b,4,5b,7a,8a.

Settings by composers

• Henry Walford Davies SATB divisi with S solo. (vv. 1,3b only)
• George J. Elvey SATB divisi with minor S divisi. (vv. 1,2a & 3b only)
• George Alexander Macfarren SAtB (vv.1-3)
• Stanley Marchant SATB (vv. 1-2 &3b)
• James Nares SS
• T. Tertius Noble SATB divisi (uses alternative lyrics)

Text and translations

English text 1  …The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2  In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3a  And their going from us to be utter destruction: 3b  but they are in peace. 4  For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 5b  …for God …[hath] found them worthy for himself. 7a  And in the …[day] of (their) visitation they shall shine… 8a  They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people…

Alternative words (based on Wisdom 3:1-8) Souls of the righteous in the hand of God, Nor hurt nor torment cometh them anigh; O holy hope of immortality. Souls of the righteous in the hand of God, to eyes of men unwise, they seem to die; They are at peace, O fairest liberty. Souls of the righteous in the hand of God. On earth as children chasten'd by Love's rod, As gold in furnace tried, so now on high they shine like stars, a golden galaxy: Souls of the righteous in the hand of God.