Miserere

[ miz-uh-rair-ee, -reer-ee ]

noun

1. the 51st Psalm, or the 50th in the Douay Bible.
2. a musical setting for it.
3. (lowercase) a prayer or expression of appeal for mercy.
4. (lowercase) misericord ( def 3 ).

miserere

¹

/ -ˈrɪərɪ; ˌmɪzəˈrɛərɪ /

noun

1. another word for misericord

Miserere

²

/ ˌmɪzəˈrɛərɪ; -ˈrɪərɪ /

noun

1. the 51st psalm, the Latin version of which begins "Miserere mei, Deus" ("Have mercy on me, O God")

Word History and Origins

Origin of Miserere¹

From the Latin word miserēre literally, have pity (imperative), first word of the psalm

Example Sentences

The gala recital drew on Callas' vast repertoire to include arias such as "Casta Diva" from Bellini's "Norma", "Miserere" from Verdi's "Il Trovatore" and a fully-staged performance of Act II of "Tosca".

From Reuters

Several of his pieces reflect the importance of Byrd, most explicitly “Two Motets,” an orchestration of “Bow thine Ear” and “Miserere mei, Deus.”

From New York Times

Several of his pieces reflect the importance of Byrd, most explicitly “Two Motets,” an orchestration of “Bow thine Ear” and “Miserere mei, Deus.”

From New York Times

It began with the chorus, conducted by Pacific Chorale Artistic Director Robert Istad, in the brief a cappella “Miserere mei, Deus,” written for the Sistine Chapel likely in 1638.

From Los Angeles Times

But “Fiat Lux” is something far beyond and above Allegri, a composer only known for his “Miserere,” or early Strauss.

From Los Angeles Times