The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
Believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my ev'ry care
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
I'll cast on him my ev'ry care
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Text: Attr. to William W. Walford, 1772-1850, alt.
PREVIOUS
NEXT
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song "Sweet Hour of Prayer" is a call for solace and guidance from a higher power during difficult times. The lyrics describe the power of prayer in providing relief from distress and temptation. The first stanza speaks to the transformative power of prayer, as it calls the singer away from the cares of the world and brings them to the "Father's throne." Prayer, for the singer, is an opportunity to articulate their needs and desires in a safe and sacred space.
The second stanza builds on this idea, giving prayer agency and power as a vehicle by which the singer's petitions are delivered to a just and reliable god. The act of seeking God's face, believing in his word, and trusting his grace are all a part of the prayerful experience. The singer relinquishes the burden of their every care, entrusting them to a higher power and waiting for the sweet hour of prayer to provide affirmation, comfort, and guidance on their path.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
The act of praying is pleasant, particularly when done for an extended period.
That calls me from a world of care
Prayer takes away the distractions and stresses of daily life.
And bids me at my Father's throne
Prayer allows the singer to communicate with God.
Make all my wants and wishes known.
The artist can express their desires and needs to God through prayer.
In seasons of distress and grief,
During difficult moments, prayer has brought comfort to the artist.
My soul has often found relief
Prayer has provided solace for the singer's spirit.
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
Prayer has helped the singer resist temptation and avoid mistakes.
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
The artist looks forward to the next opportunity to pray and experience its benefits.
Thy wings shall my petition bear
Prayer allows the artist's requests to be carried to God as if on wings.
To him whose truth and faithfulness
The artist acknowledges God's honesty and loyalty.
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
God will bless those who eagerly anticipate and seek his help.
And since he bids me seek his face,
God invites the artist to search for him through prayer and supplication.
Believe his word, and trust his grace,
The singer should have faith in God and his benefits.
I'll cast on him my ev'ry care
The singer can share their anxieties and concerns with God through prayer.
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
The singer looks forward to the next opportunity to pray.
I'll cast on him my ev'ry care
The artist can share their anxieties and concerns with God through prayer.
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
The artist looks forward to the next opportunity to pray.
Writer(s): W. W. Walford, William B. Bradbury
Contributed by Jackson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AdautoMedeiros
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Alan Jackson
Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known
In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
The joys I feel, the bliss I share
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for Thy return
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face
And gladly take my station there
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
And wait for Thee
Sweet hour of prayer
@dave.dzakpasu
Lyrics :
1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father's throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
[and oft escaped the tempter's snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!]x2
2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
[ I'll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!] x2
@edwconr
Thanks for posting. Viewing in 2024; I call this hymn 'Holy' hour of prayer as prayer in the holy Name of Jesus Christ is always holy but not always 'sweet'.
@tatendamajoni7624
The only problem with this hymn is that it ends 😢
@shirleychia6345
How can we go through life without the comfort of this song
@abrahamvarghesein
What a beautiful song !! Sung so perfectly !! May god bless this choir
@user-ht6iz6jf2y
I've allways Loved this song and was happy when I joined the Church many years ago that it was and still is in our Hymn book.
@robertanderson3309
I start my morning chemo treatment with this beautiful hymn
@harryoses196
Blessings of good health falls on you. Get well soon
@infinitumenergy6236
Robert Anderson how are you now? I hope everything are in the past
@starlegends3092
That sounds wonderful
@starlegends3092
What is chemo?