O virtus Sapientiae (Hildegard von Bingen)

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(Posted 2025-03-07) CPDL #84110:

Editor: Allison Mondel (submitted 2025-03-07). Score information: Letter, 3 pages Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from Riesencodex f.466 recto.

(Posted 2019-08-18) CPDL #55080:

Editor: Cheryl Lynn Helm (submitted 2019-08-18). Score information: Letter, 1 page, 144 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

Original chant

(Posted 2004-08-16) CPDL #07761:

Editor: Cheryl Lynn Helm (submitted 2004-08-16). Score information: Letter, 1 page, 76 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: O Virtus Sapientiae
Composer: Hildegard von Bingen
Number of voices: 1v Voicing: Unison
Genre: Sacred, Chant

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published:
Description: Antiphon for Divine Wisdom

External websites:

Original text and translations

Latin text

O virtus Sapientiae,
quae circuiens circuisti
comprehendendo omnia
in una via, quae habet vitam,
tres alas habens,
quarum una in altum volat,
et altera de terra sudat,
et tertia undique volat.
Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet,
O Sapientia.

English translation

O strength of Wisdom
who, circling, circled,
enclosing all
in one lifegiving path,
three wings you have:
one soars to the heights,
one distils its essence upon the earth,
and the third is everywhere.
Praise to you, as is fitting,
O Wisdom.

Translation by Kate Quartano Brown

Dutch translation

O kracht van Wijsheid,
die alsmaar ronddraaiend,
allesomvattend,
in één beweging,
die leven in zich draagt,
die drie vleugels heeft
waarvan er één in de hoogte vliegt,
de andere als nevel uit de aarde opstijgt
en de derde overal rondzweeft.
Lof zij jou, zoals jou toekomt, o Wijsheid.

Translation by Anton Hendriks, Ben Terstegge & Hanneke Pot