Elgar, Edward: The Spirit of the Lord


The Spirit of the Lord, Op. 49 (1903)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, to give unto them that mourn a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the Gospel.

Words: Luke 4 vv. 18–19; Isaiah 61 vv. 1–3, 11
Music: Edward Elgar (1857–1934)