This work serves as a liturgical choral arrangement designed to provide a musical setting for the traditional text addressing Mary Magdalene. The composer, Peter Hurford, utilizes his expertise in organ and choral composition to structure a piece that emphasizes vocal clarity and emotional resonance within a sacred context. The arrangement focuses on the interplay between the four vocal parts to convey the somber and reflective nature of the lyrics.

Choral directors and musicologists frequently identify this piece as a standard selection for church choirs seeking accessible yet expressive polyphonic works. Experts note that the unaccompanied nature of the score requires precise intonation and balanced ensemble dynamics to achieve the intended effect.