by the nineteen-year-old Gabriel Fauré
(We often sing this in English. The text by Hal Hopson is from Psalm 84, not from the words of Jean Racine. Sadly, there are no good recordings of the Hopson version. But listening to the recording below is helpful, as the phrasing and dynamics work well with the Hopson text.)
Recording:
Orchestre de Paris (2011)
Conductor/Chef d’orchestre : Paavo Järvi (French-speaking singers. Beautiful phrasing.)
Translation:
Verbe égal au Très-Haut, Word of God, one with the Most High,
notre unique espérance, in Whom alone we have our hope,
Jour éternel de la terre et des cieux; Eternal Day of heaven and earth,
De la paisible nuit nous rompons le silence, We break the silence of the peaceful night;
Divin Sauveur, jette sur nous les yeux! Saviour Divine, cast your eyes upon us!
Répands sur nous le feu de ta grâce puissante, Pour on us the fire of your powerful grace,
Que tout l’enfer fuie au son de ta voix; That all hell may flee at the sound of your voice;
Dissipe le sommeil d’une âme languissante, Banish the slumber of a weary soul,
Qui la conduit à l’oubli de tes lois! That brings forgetfulness of your laws!
O Christ, sois favorable à ce peuple fidèle O Christ, look with favour upon your faithful people
Pour te bénir maintenant rassemblé. Now gathered here to praise you;
Reçois les chants qu’il offre à ta gloire immortelle, Receive their hymns offered to your immortal glory;
Et de tes dons qu’il retourne comblé! May they go forth filled with your gifts.
French-language resources:
Open a new tab with the score: Cantique_de_jean_racine_score
St. Louis Church Choir 