Peccavi super numerum arenæ maris

General information

Text based on the Prayer of Manasseh 1:9 (Apocrypha), sometimes conjoined with Psalm 51:5

Settings by composers

All settings are in Latin unless indicated otherwise.

• Anonymous (1:9a-9c) STT
• William Byrd (1:9a, 1:9b) SATTB
• Antonio Caldara (1:9a-9c) In Latin or German ATB
• Giulio Ciccarelli (1:9a-9c, 51:5) SATTB
• Girolamo Frescobaldi (1:9a-9c) SST
• Joannes de Latro (1:9a-9c, 51:5) STTB
• Francesco de Layolle (1:9a-9c) TTT
• Leone Leoni (1:9a-9c) SSAATTBB
• Philippe de Monte (1:9a-9c, 51:5) SAATTB
• Giovanni Piccioni (1:9a-9c) AB
• Joannes Pionnier (1:9a-9c, 51:5) SATTB
• Giovanni Priuli (1:9a, 1:9b) SS or TT
• Giaches de Wert (1:9a-9c, 51:5) SSATTB
• Adrian Willaert (1:9a-9c, 51:5) SAATB

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Girolamo Frescobaldi — Peccavi super numerum arenæ maris

Text and translations

Latin text 1:9a Peccavi super numerum arenæ maris et multiplicata sunt peccata mea: 1:9b et non sum dignus videre altitudinem cœli, præ multitudine iniquitatis meæ. 1:9c Quoniam irritavi iram tuam, et malum coram te feci. 51:5 Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco et peccatum meum contra me est semper, quia tibi soli peccavi et malum coram te feci.

German text 1:9a Unzählbar gleich dem Meeressand, sind meine Sünden, alle die Vergehen, o wer kann sie nennen! 1:9b Nicht würdig bin ich zu schauen deine Herrlichkeit oben durch meiner Sünden Last, die ich auf mich geladen. 1:9c Deinen gerechten Zorn hab' ich erwecket denn Böses tat ich vor deinem Antlitz.

English translation 1:9a I have sinned above the number of the sand in the sea, my transgressions are exceeding many: 1:9b and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of the heavens, for the multitude of mine unrighteousness. 1:9c For I have provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee. 51:5 For I know mine iniquities, and my sin is ever before me.Against thee, against thee only have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight. (Geneva Bible)