Blessed Are Those

[Lynn Martin]

This text is an attempt to set many of Scripture’s “Blessed are those” texts to music. I see this as sung to ST. CHRYSOSTOM (Barnby) (Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All).

Some of the text feels wooden. Suggestions are welcome. I’m also considering a stanza on verses like “Blessed are those who keep his statutes.”

Blessed are those whose way is peace;

whose first desire is righteousness,

those who show mercy like the Lord;

when they are harmed, who only bless.

Blessed are those whose hearts are pure;

they will see God, whom they confess.

/

Blessed are those whose God is the Lord;

those in whose hearts are Zion’s ways;

those who are strong in God’s own strength;

who walk beneath the light of God’s face;

Blessed are those who dwell in his house;

those who forever sing his praise.

/

Blessed are those who wash their robes,

each whom the Lamb has called his guest;

those who shall touch the tree of life;

who have endured, and passed the test.

Blessed are those who die in the Lord,

after their deeds, they shall find rest.

• This discussion was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by  Lynn Martin.
• This discussion was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by  Lynn Martin.
• This discussion was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by  Lynn Martin.
• This discussion was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by  Lynn Martin.
• This discussion was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by  Lynn Martin.

Discussion

[Lynn Martin]

Note: I found that the formatting works best if you use some kind of character between stanzas, as I did here.

[Michelle King]

Perhaps “taste the tree of life”… an allusion to “taste and see that the Lord is good”

[Lynn Martin]

Great suggestion!

[Rachel Kaufmann]

Have you considered changing the meter to 8s and 7s or 8s and 6s instead of 8/8? It might flow better.

For example:

Blessed are those whose way is peace;

Whose desire is righteousness.

[Lynn Martin]

Interesting idea, Rachel. I don’t know that I want to make that change, since I was aiming for a specific tune. But I should look at it further to see if it might smooth up the rhythm a bit.

[Rachel Kaufmann]

8Blessed are those whose paths are peace;

7Whose desire is righteousness.

8Those who show mercy, as their Lord;

7Those when harmed; who only bless.

8Blessed are those whose hearts are pure;

7They shall see Him they confess.

/

8Blessed those who’s hope is the Lord;

7In whose hearts are Zion’s ways.

8Those who are strong in God’s own strength

7Walk in the light of His face.

8Blessed those who dwell in His house;

7Whose song is filled with His praise.

/

8Blessed are those whose robes are white

7Whom th’ Lamb calls as His guest;

8Those who eat of the Tree of Life;

7All those who have stood the test.

8Blessed those who die in the Lord,

7In Him they shall find their rest.

[Author]

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