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Psalm 85, “Grant Us Your Peace, Lord,” submitted by Yongjiang Zhou, was written by Jacques Berthier and focuses on peace.
Psalm 85
How does this psalm piece interpret the psalm?
The setting of “Grant Us Your Peace, Lord” is an ostinato refrain with descant singing the central themes of Psalm 85:8–13. Psalm 85 is the prayer of an ancient faith community in crisis. The refrain has only two bars with a harmonic progression of I-II2 (D–Em2). This is an open progression, ending on dissonant harmonies (Em2—seventh chords). It seems to express the struggle of Israelites after their exile, praying to God to grant them peace again.
Whether in the pursuit of racial justice or in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the deep yearning of people is for peace, the hoped-for state of humankind from ancient to modern times. In a message for today, the psalmist tells us that we need to hear God’s precious Word, fear God, and not abuse God’s grace by turning back to sin, instead walking away from sin. Then we will have true peace. True peace is not only an external environment, but a state of mind—a complete, whole, and healthy sense of security, happiness, and contentment based on a good and right relationship with God. The repeated chant of the believer—“Peace, Lord” —reinforces the faith of the community that God will give peace to God’s people and to all who seek him. Although the devil is the great destroyer, he constantly brings disharmony to the universe. But God has brought peace and harmony to the world. In this passage, the four qualities of God—love and faithfulness, peace and righteousness—come together, and then, like a victorious general, they march side by side toward victory, which is the sure hope of God's people (McClure). This harmony and peace derives from the redemption given to us through the work of the Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross, and is perfected in the last ages, when all creation shall be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom. 8:21).
Bellinger, W H. "Commentary on Psalm 85:8-13." Working Preacher from Luther Seminary. Last modified July 12, 2009. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-15-2/commentary-on-psalm-858-13-4.
Donovan, Richard N. "Psalm 85 Commentary." Sermon Writer. Last modified April 9, 2019. https://sermonwriter.com/psalm-85-commentary/.
McClure, Amy R. "Sermon P 85: 8-13 “Let Us Hear” ." First Baptist Church on Fifth. Last modified , 2018. https://firstonfifth.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Psalms-85_8-13-FBC-Winston-Salem-July-2018-website-copy.pdf.
Use on the tenth Lord’s Day after Pentecost of Year A (2020) as a response to the first reading (1 Kings 19:9–18) or sing in a prayer meeting for peace or in a Taizé prayer service.
Text: ancient prayer
Music: Melchoir Franck, 1597-1639, arr. Jacques Berthier © 1998 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Jared Ortiz, professor at Hope College, Holland, Michigan, describes the Nicene Creed as a dramatic and powerful statement where every word is like a declaration of war, saying yes to the truth and no to many falsehoods.
Jane Williams, professor of theology at St. Mellitus College in London, England, sees the Nicene Creed, crafted 1700 years ago, as an extraordinary creative and exciting description of who God is and therefore what we trust in as Christians in God's world.
Maria Eugenia Cornou and Mikie Roberts serve on a planning team for an October worship event in Egypt to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the ecumenical creed that emerged in the year 325 and remains firmly embedded in the worship practices of the church today.
Jared Ortiz, professor at Hope College, Holland, Michigan, describes the Nicene Creed as a dramatic and powerful statement where every word is like a declaration of war, saying yes to the truth and no to many falsehoods.
Jane Williams, professor of theology at St. Mellitus College in London, England, sees the Nicene Creed, crafted 1700 years ago, as an extraordinary creative and exciting description of who God is and therefore what we trust in as Christians in God's world.
Maria Eugenia Cornou and Mikie Roberts serve on a planning team for an October worship event in Egypt to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the ecumenical creed that emerged in the year 325 and remains firmly embedded in the worship practices of the church today.
This expression of Psalm 148 was submitted by Ed Willmington, who wrote it with Clayton J. Schmit. The nature of Psalm 148 is total exuberance as all of nature offers praise to God.
