Domine non sum dignus

General information

This text is from the Gospel of Luke 7:6-7 (OT 9 C) and is the message sent to Jesus by a centurion whose slave was dying. It is used as an antiphon to the Magnificat at Vespers of the Thursday following Ash Wednesday.

Victoria's setting changes "my servant" to "my soul", and this is also the version spoken as a response between the Agnus Dei and the communion antiphon in the Catholic rite since 1970. Victoria adds a secunda parte from Psalm 6:3, and labels the whole "in communione".

The cantata by David Thoman is only related by its opening phrase.

Settings by composers

• Gregor Aichinger — Domine non sum dignus  SSATB
• William Byrd — Domine non sum dignus  AATTBB
• Sethus Calvisius — Domine, Domine  2 equal voices
• Richard Dering — Domine non sum dignus  SATB
• Tomás Luis de Victoria — Domine, non sum dignus  SAAT,SATB,ATTB
• Christoph Thomas Walliser — Domine Jesu Christe a 8  SATB.AATB 

Original text and translations

Latin text Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbum, et sanabitur puer meus. (Victoria & Walliser: "anima mea") (and in the Victoria setting only:) Miserere mei, quoniam infirmus sum; sana me, Domine, et sanabor.   German translation Herr, ich bin nicht würdig, daß du eingehst unter mein Dach, aber sprich nur ein Wort, so wird mein Knecht (Victoria: "meine Seele") gesund (nur bei Victoria:) Erbarme dich meiner, denn ich bin schwach; heile mich, Herr, und ich werde geheilt.

English translation Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant (Victoria & Walliser: "my soul") shall be healed. (and in the Victoria setting only): Have mercy on me, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed.   Korean translation 나는 주님을 내 집에 모셔 들일 만한 자격이 없습니다. 그저 말씀만 하시면 내 영혼이(Byrd: 내 종이) 나을 것입니다. (Victoria版에서만) 주님, 내 기력이 쇠하였으니, 내게 은혜를 베풀어 주십시오. 나를 낫게 해 주십시오. 그리하면 나을 것입니다.