Psalm | Psalm 80:1-7 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Silent Night by Franz Xaver Gruber, and arranged by Jason Ingram, John Freeman Young, Joseph Mohr, Lauren Daigle, and Paul Mabury

Lyrics:
Silent night holy night
All is calm all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Saviour is born
Christ the Saviour is born

Silent night holy night
Son of God love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Jesus Lord at Thy birth

Passage:
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!

3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

4 O LORD God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
(Psalm 80:1–7 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (PICARDY)

Reflection Notes:
Adapted from a medieval French folk tune, PICARDY was later arranged by esteemed English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams as a congregational hymn. The minor tonalities and scalar phrasing are very reminiscent of chant and serve to create a hushed environment in which to reflect on the rich text.

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.