Esto Les Digo Lyrics In Spanish | Choral Translation Guide

The lyrics to “Esto Les Digo” are a Spanish-language musical setting of Matthew 18:19-20, typically opening with the line “Esto les digo.

You may have heard this choral piece during a Communion service or stumbled across a recording online. The melody feels gently insistent, and the Spanish text carries a familiar rhythm even if you do not speak the language fluently. Like many liturgical works, its power lives at the intersection of scripture and song.

Composed by Kinley Lange, “Esto Les Digo” translates directly to “This I say to you.” The words anchor a promise from the Gospel of Matthew: that unified prayer is heard and answered. Below is a full breakdown of the Spanish lyrics, their English meaning, and where to find sheet music and recordings.

Biblical Roots and Lyrical Meaning

The song draws entirely from the biblical passage Matthew 18:19-20, where Jesus tells his disciples that if two of them agree on anything they ask, it will be done for them by the Father in heaven. The Spanish text keeps that promise front and center, repeating the condition of agreement and the assurance of a response.

“Esto les digo” (This I say to you) opens the lyric as a direct address. The phrase “si dos de ustedes se ponen de acuerdo” translates to “if two of you come to an agreement,” emphasizing the communal nature of the promise. The user-uploaded translation available on Scribd renders the entire passage in English, and while it is not a professionally verified document, it captures the intended meaning accurately.

For listeners familiar with the English Bible, the song functions almost as a sung meditation on the verse. The Spanish adds a layer of musicality that makes the promise feel less like a lecture and more like an invitation.

Why This Choral Piece Resonates with Groups

Part of the appeal of “Esto Les Digo” lies in how it fits into a choir’s repertoire without overwhelming the singers or the congregation. According to the publisher OCP, the piece is scored for SAB (soprano, alto, baritone) choir and piano, with a moderate difficulty rating that makes it accessible to many church ensembles. Here is what draws groups to it:

• Accessible Scoring: The three-part SAB arrangement fills out harmonies without requiring a full SATB complement, making it practical for smaller choirs.
• Moderate Difficulty: OCP describes the piece as moderately difficult due to independent choral parts and rhythmic variety, offering a rewarding challenge without being prohibitive.
• Performance Versatility: Some recordings present the piece a cappella, allowing the harmonies to shine, while others use the piano accompaniment for added support.
• Liturgical Themes: The song is specifically recommended for Confirmation and Communion services, tying its message of communal prayer directly to sacramental moments.
• Emotional Resonance: The text covers themes of comfort, faith, and church, which align well with services focused on prayer and community.

Music directors looking for a meaningful Spanish-language anthem that does not require advanced soloists often place this piece high on their shortlist. The repetition of key phrases helps congregations follow along even if they are unfamiliar with Spanish.

Understanding the Spanish Lyrics and Translation

Breaking down the lyrics line by line reveals the careful grammar behind the song. Per the Blogspot resource providing an Esto les digo translation, the lyrics are a direct musical setting of the biblical passage Matthew 18:19-20. The Spanish uses the formal “ustedes” form, which is standard for liturgical texts addressing a congregation or community.

The phrase “se ponen de acuerdo” literally means “they put themselves in agreement,” using the reflexive verb construction common in Spanish. The full lyric line on the OCP octavo confirms the repetition of “pedir” (to ask) to emphasize the action of prayer. Here is a line-by-line breakdown of the most commonly performed version:

The translation above matches the version shared on Reverbnation and Musixmatch, with only minor punctuation differences between recordings. If you are learning the piece for performance, the official sheet music from OCP provides the most authoritative Spanish text and rhythmic notation.

Finding Sheet Music, Recordings, and Performances

If you want to hear or perform “Esto Les Digo,” there are several reliable places to start. The publisher OCP offers the octavo in both SAB and SATB arrangements, complete with piano accompaniment and audio samples for rehearsal. Here is a walkthrough of the best resources:

1. Sheet Music (OCP): The official octavo includes both the SAB and SATB arrangements, plus suggested liturgical uses for Confirmation and Communion seasons.
2. Streaming (Spotify): The piece is available on Spotify, performed by the Atlanta Sacred Chorale and Bella Voce Women’s Chorus, giving you a clear reference recording.
3. Lyrics Database (Musixmatch): Displays the lyrics as sung by specific performers, which can help with pronunciation and phrasing.
4. Music Database (Musicant): Includes metadata on the composer, duration (roughly 3.5 minutes), and performance style notes.

Many of these sources confirm that the piece is performed a cappella in some recordings, while others feature a piano accompaniment. If your choir prefers a cappella work, listening to the Bella Voce Women’s Chorus recording is a good starting point for blend and intonation.

The Composer and Musical Style

Kinley Lange, the composer of “Esto Les Digo,” has written a number of choral works for liturgical use, and this piece remains one of her most widely performed. The song opens by repeating the title phrase before expanding on the promise of unified prayer. Reverbnation provides the complete lyrics under the full lyric line for the piece, allowing listeners to follow along with the Spanish text.

Musically, the composition is straightforward but not simplistic. The lines are built on stepwise motion, and the harmonic shifts arrive at predictable intervals, making it easier for amateur choirs to learn. The rhythmic variety comes from the natural phrasing of the Spanish text rather than artificial meter changes, which gives the performance a speech-like quality.

According to OCP’s description, the piece covers themes of comfort, faith, and church. The moderately difficult rating comes from the independence required of the choral parts — soprano, alto, and baritone each have moments where they carry the melodic line alone before blending back into homophony.

Directors looking for a Spanish-language piece that will not overwhelm their ensemble during a heavy liturgical season will find that this composition balances emotional depth with technical reachability.

The Bottom Line

“Esto Les Digo” offers a genuine connection between scripture and song. The Spanish text is direct, the musical setting supports rather than overwhelms the meaning, and the moderate difficulty makes it accessible to many choirs. Whether you are preparing it for a Confirmation service or simply want to understand the lyrics behind a moving recording, starting with the official OCP sheet music ensures you have the most accurate notation and liturgical guidance.

If you are a choir director planning a bilingual service or a musician learning the piece on your own, the OCP octavo paired with the Atlanta Sacred Chorale recording gives you everything you need to master the Spanish pronunciation and the musical phrasing.