 The music is set to English texts chosen from the biblical books of Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiasticus.The German-born Handel had been resident in London since 1712 and had there achieved great success as a composer of Italian operas.He had also enjoyed the patronage of monarchs Queen Anne, George I and George II and other members of the royal family and had been commissioned by them to compose numerous pieces of music for worship services in the royal chapels as well as for other royal occasions.