“THE FOURTH DAY” FROM THE CREATION
TEXTS

Recitative (Uriel)
And God said:
Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven
to divide the day from the night, and to give light upon the earth;
and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days, and for years.
He made the stars also.

Recitative (Uriel)
In brightest splendour rises now the sun, and darts his rays;
an eager, joyful bridegroom, a giant glad and proud to run his measured course.

With gentle steps and softer silv’ry beams steals the moon through still and silent night.

The boundless span of heaven’s vault is now adorn’d with numberless golden stars,
and the sons of God announced the fourth day thus, in song divine,
with joy proclaiming his might:

Trio and Chorus
(Chorus)
The heavens are telling the glory of God.
The firmament displays the wonder of his works.

(Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael)
As day after day his power declares;
And night after night his honour affirms.

In all the lands resounds the word, never unperceived, ever understood.