Voices Together ‎#212

212. Comfort, Comfort, O My People

1 Comfort, comfort, O my people,
speak of peace, now says our God.
Comfort those who sit in shadows,
mourning ’neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak unto Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them.
Tell of all the sins I cover,
and that warfare now is over.

2 Hark, the voice of one who’s crying
in the desert far and near,
bidding all to full repentance,
since the kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way!
Valleys, rise in exaltation;
hills, bow down in adoration.

3 O make straight what long was crooked,
make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits a holy reign.
For the glory of our God
now o’er earth is shed abroad.
And all flesh shall see the token
that God’s word is never broken.

Text Information

• First Line: Comfort, comfort O my people
• Title: Comfort, Comfort, O My People
• Author: Johannes Olearius
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7.8.8
• Publication Date: 2020
• Scripture:
  Isaiah 40:1-5
  ;
  Obadiah 1:17
  ;
  Matthew 3:1-3
  ;
  Mark 1:2-3
  ;
  Luke 3:2-6
  ;
  John 1:23
• Topic: Prophets; Repentance; Comfort; Heritage: 16th-Century; Peace: Conflict and War
• Source: based on Isaiah 40:1–5; “Tröstet, tröstet, meine Lieben,” Geistliche Singe-Kunst, 1671; trans. Catherine Winkworth (England), Chorale Book for England, 1863, alt.

Tune Information

• Name: GENEVA 42 (FREU DICH SEHR)
• Composer: Louis Bourgeois
• Harmonizer: Claude Goudimel
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7.8.8
• Key: F Major
• Source: Genevan Psalter, Octante Trois Pseaumes de David, 1551; harm. adapt. from Claude Goudimel (present-day France), 150 Pseaumes de David, 1564
• Notes: Chord symbols represent a simplified harmony.