Lent 4 | Psalm 122 (with Tom Gastil)

Opening Song:
Psalm 122 by Poor Bishop Hooper

Lyrics:
I was glad when they said to me
Let us go to the house of the Lord
Our feet have been standing within your gates
O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem

Built as a city should be, Jerusalem
Bound together firmly, Jerusalem
Where the tribes go up to praise
There the thrones of judgment set
The thrones of the house of David
Jerusalem

Peace, peace, peace be within your walls
Pray for the peace, peace, peace of Jerusalem
I will say peace, peace, peace be within your walls
Pray for the peace, peace, peace of Jerusalem

Passage:
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let’s go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet were standing
within your gates, Jerusalem —
3 Jerusalem, built as a city should be,
solidly united,
4 where the tribes, the Lord’s tribes, go up
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
(This is an ordinance for Israel. )
5 There, thrones for judgment are placed,
thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure;
7 may there be peace within your walls,
security within your fortresses.”
8 Because of my brothers and friends,
I will say, “May peace be in you.”
9 Because of the house of the Lord our God,
I will pursue your prosperity. -- Psalms 122:1-9 (CSB)

Musical Reflection:
All to Jesus I Surrender (SURRENDER) by Winfield S. Weeden

Reflection Notes:
This tune was originally intended to have two-part harmonies on the verse and four-part harmonies of the refrain; the additional harmonic fullness adds to the repeated emphasis of the words “I surrender all.”

Prayer:
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.