O Comfort, Now My People

Composer
Difficulty
Moderate radio_button_checked radio_button_checked radio_button_checked radio_button_unchecked radio_button_unchecked
Season
Voicing(s)
Category
Collections
Instrumental Only?
No
Description

SATB choir and organ with optional string bass.  Based on the composer's own hymn-tune Eastern Sky. Text is a paraphrase of Isaiah 40:1-11.Mysterious and dark. Part of our Chorister Collection, our series of masterworks that are adapted for use with children.  The Chorister Collection editions are in the extras.

Audio
Lyrics

O comfort, now my people, says the Lord, your God.
Speak gently to Jerusalem and cry now unto her.
Her warfare is accomplished, her penalty is paid.
A voice cries in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way!”

So ev’ry valley shall be raised, all mountains, hills, made low,
As desert flow’rs rejoice and praise, and springs of water flow;
Uneven ground, a level field, rough lands become a plain.
The glory of the Lord revealed, God’s children see again.

All humankind is grass and reeds, like flowers of the field;
They wither at the gentlest breeze, their feeble lives to yield.
Yet eyes are opened, ears unstopped, the lame leap like a deer,
And speechless tongues all sing for joy, the weak no longer fear.

For waters in the wild break forth, the desert flows with streams;
The burning sand becomes a pool, the thirsty ground a spring.
Their highway is the holy way God’s chosen walk along.
The ransomed of the Lord return with gladness, joy and song.