Exultavit Cor Meum

In conjuction with the First Friday post, for First Saturday I offer the following: Exultavit Cor Meum, a setting by Giovanni Gabrieli.

The text is taken from the first two lines of Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-2, which is oft compared to Mary’s Magnificate and applied to Marian feast days. The text is as follows:

Exultavit cor meum in Domino,
et exaltatum est cornu meum in Deo meo;
dilatatum est os meum super inimicos meos:
quia lætata sum in salutari tuo.

Non est sanctus, ut est Dominus,
neque enim est alius extra te,
et non est fortis sicut Deus noster.

My heart hath rejoiced in the Lord,

and my horn is exalted in my God:

my mouth is enlarged over my enemies:

because I have joyed in thy salvation.

There is none holy as the Lord is:

for there is no other beside thee,

and there is none strong like our God.

This prayer of extreme confidence in God is echoed in St. Bernard’s trust and devotion to Mary and her heart:

“In the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I trust. Look to the Star, call upon Mary! In danger, in difficulty or in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Keep her name on your lips, never let it pass out of your heart.”

Sancta Caecilia, ora pro nobis!