Cor Arca Legem Continens (Heart, Ark Containing the Law) is a Gregorian chant hymn sung during Lauds on the Feast of the
Sacred Heart.
According to Rev. Matthew Britt O.S.B. in The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal: "The Old Law [that of the Old Testament] was a law of servitude, and was eminently suited to the hard-heartedness of the Jews. It was a law of fear and bondage given amid thunders, and appropriately engraved on stone. The New Law, on the contrary, is a law of love and liberty engraved by the Holy Spirit on the hearts of the faithful."
The hymn makes mention of Our Lord's two-fold sacrifice: one bloody, another mystical. Rev. Matthew Britt explains: "The twofold sacrifice is that of Calvary (cruenta) and the Mass (mystica)." The hymn
recalls the lance that pierced Our Lord's side, so that "we might see and venerate the wounds." Finally, the hymn challenges the listener: "Who would
not love his Redeemer, after being redeemed, and with this Heart, choose an eternal dwelling place?"
There are two versions of Cor arca legem continens provided below. The first version is the Dominican version (which seems to be the most well-known), interpreted by Giovanni Vianini. The second version is the Solesmes (Benedictine) version, interpreted by 1) an anonymous choir of priests/monks and 2) by Verbum Gloriae.
Listen to Cor arca legem continens interpreted by
Giovanni Vianini
Lyrics:
Latin text:
1. Cor, arca legem continens
Non servitutis veteris,
Sed gratiæ, sed veniæ,
Sed et misericordiæ.
2. Cor, Sanctuarium novi
Intemeratum faederis,
Templum vetusto sanctius,
Velumque scisso utilius.
3. Te vulneratum caritas
Ictu patenti voluit;
Amoris invisibilis
Ut veneremur vulnera.
4. Hoc sub amoris symbolo
Passus cruenta, et mystica,
Utrumque sacrificium
Christus Sacerdos obtulit.
5. Quis non amantem redamet?
Quis non redemptus diligat,
Et Corde in isto seligat
Æterna tabernacula?
Last verse variations:
6. Dominican: Gloria tibi Domine,
Qui Corde fundis gratiam,
Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula. Amen.
6. Solesmes: Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui Corde fundis gratiam,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula. Amen.
English translation (1):
1. O Heart, Thou ark, which dost contain the law,
Not the law of ancient servitude,
But of grace, of pardon,
And of mercy.
2. "O Heart, sanctuary of the New,
Undefiled [Sanctuary] of the [New] Covenant,
Temple holier than the old,
More useful than that [of the] veil which was rent.
3. Charity willed that Thou be wounded
With an open wound;
Of invisible love
That we might [see and] venerate the wounds.
4. This under the symbol of love
He suffered [in a] bloody and mystical manner,
The two-fold sacrifice
Christ the Priest offered.
5. Who would not love in return one loving him?
Who would not love [Him], being redeemed,
And with this Heart choose
An eternal dwelling place?
Last verse variations:
6. Dominican: Glory to Thee, O Lord,
Who pours out grace in Thy heart,
With the Father and the Holy Spirit
For ever and ever. Amen.
6. Solesmes: Glory to Thee, O Jesus,
Who pours out grace in Thy heart,
With the Father and the Holy Spirit
For ever and ever. Amen.
