Without intent, a groundswell of popularity took place when students, seminarians, and women religious took stenciled mimeographed copies of their new music back to their communities where it became known as music by the "St. Louis Jesuits."
My People
St. Louis Jesuits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give ear unto me all ye that have knowledge
Let us choose to us judgement
Let us know among ourselves what is good
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any
He is mighty in strength and in wisdom
Behold, He is great, and we know Him not
The Lord's seat is in heaven
Clouds and darkness are round about Him
Righteousness and judgement are the habitation of his seat
He decketh himself with light as with a garment
And spreadeth out the heavens like a curtain
He layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters
And maketh the clouds His chariots
And walketh upon the wings of the wind
He bowed the heavens, and came down
And it was dark under His feet
He rode on the Cherubim, and did fly
And came flying upon the wings of the wind
The Lord's seat is in heaven, His kingdom ruleth over all
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on them that fear Him
And upon them that put their trust in His mercy
To deliver their soul from death
And to feed them in the time of dearth
Our soul hath patiently tarried for the Lord
For He is our help and our shield
He delivered the poor in his affliction
The fatherless and him that hath none to help him
He shall bind up the broken-hearted
And proclaim liberty to the captives
And comfort to those that mourn
He shall give them beauty for ashes
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud
And as the garden causeth things that are sown to spring forth
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and peace to spring forth before all nations
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy
He hath not dealt with us after our sins
Nor rewardeth us according to our wickedness
For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth
So great is His mercy toward them that fear Him
Look how wide also the east is from the west
So far hath He set our sins from us
O praise ye the Lord,
Praise him in the height
Rejoice in his word
Ye Angels of Light!
Ye heavens adore Him
By whom ye were made
And worship before Him
In brightness arrayed
O praise ye the Lord,
Praise Him upon earth
In tuneful accord
Ye sons of new birth
Praise Him who hath brought you
His grace from above
Praise Him who hath taught you
To sing of his love
O praise ye the Lord!
Thanksgiving and song
To him be outpoured
All ages along
For love in creation
For heaven restored
For grace of salvation
O praise ye the Lord
Amen
The song "My People" by St. Louis Jesuits is a contemplative piece that echoes the Book of Job from its opening lines. The first verse calls for people to listen and choose they make their judgement. The following lines talk about God's might and wisdom, and how God's presence is like a garment of light that spreads through the heavens. The words vividly depict the power and strength of God, the Creator, who takes care of His people and upholds His promises. The final verse is a call to worship and give thanks for God's love and grace, and to praise Him in spirit and truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear my words, ye people
Listen to me, everyone
Give ear unto me all ye that have knowledge
Pay attention, anyone who knows better
Let us choose to us judgement
Let's make wise decisions
Let us know among ourselves what is good
Let's understand together what is right
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any
God is powerful and merciful towards everyone
He is mighty in strength and in wisdom
God is both strong and wise
Behold, He is great, and we know Him not
God is beyond our comprehension
Neither can the number of His years be searched out.
His existence is beyond measure
The Lord's seat is in heaven
God is in control from heaven
Clouds and darkness are round about Him
God's power is mysterious and beyond our grasp
Righteousness and judgement are the habitation of his seat
God's throne is established through justice and righteousness
He decketh himself with light as with a garment
God radiates with glory
And spreadeth out the heavens like a curtain
God created the universe as if it were a tapestry
He layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters
God created the earth's foundation on water
And maketh the clouds His chariots
God uses clouds to move around
And walketh upon the wings of the wind
God's power is experienced through the wind
He bowed the heavens, and came down
God intervenes in the world
And it was dark under His feet
God's presence causes everything else to fade
He rode on the Cherubim, and did fly
God's power is symbolized through angelic creatures
And came flying upon the wings of the wind
God's power is experienced through the wind
The Lord's seat is in heaven, His kingdom ruleth over all
God's reign is supreme over everything from heaven
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on them that fear Him
God watches over those who respect Him
And upon them that put their trust in His mercy
God looks after those who rely on His kindness
To deliver their soul from death
God saves people from danger and death
And to feed them in the time of dearth
God provides for people in times of famine
Our soul hath patiently tarried for the Lord
We have waited for God with patience
For He is our help and our shield
God protects us and is our support
He delivered the poor in his affliction
God rescues the disadvantaged when they are suffering
The fatherless and him that hath none to help him
God comforts and helps those who have no one else
He shall bind up the broken-hearted
God brings healing to those who are emotionally wounded
And proclaim liberty to the captives
God sets free those who are enslaved
And comfort to those that mourn
God brings comfort to those who are grieving
He shall give them beauty for ashes
God brings beauty or happiness out of sorrow or suffering
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness
God gives praise instead of despair
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud
As the earth brings forth new life
And as the garden causeth things that are sown to spring forth
And the garden allows what is planted to grow
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and peace to spring forth before all nations
God brings justice and a peaceful world to every nation
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy
God is compassionate and merciful
He hath not dealt with us after our sins
God does not punish us as we deserve for our sins
Nor rewardeth us according to our wickedness
God does not retaliate for our evil deeds
For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth
God's mercy is far greater than our human limitations
So great is His mercy toward them that fear Him
God is incredibly merciful towards those who respect Him
Look how wide also the east is from the west
God has separated our sins far away from us
So far hath He set our sins from us
God removes our sins completely
O praise ye the Lord,
Let us praise the Lord
Praise him in the height
Praise God from the heavens
Rejoice in his word
Be glad in God's Word
Ye Angels of Light!
You heavenly beings!
Ye heavens adore Him
Let the heavens worship Him
By whom ye were made
Who created you
And worship before Him
And bow down before Him
In brightness arrayed
Radiating with glory
O praise ye the Lord,
Let us praise the Lord
Praise Him upon earth
Praise God on earth
In tuneful accord
With harmonious agreement
Ye sons of new birth
You who are born again
Praise Him who hath brought you
Praise the Lord who has saved you
His grace from above
His unearned favor from heaven
Praise Him who hath taught you
Praise the Lord who has taught you
To sing of his love
To sing about His love
O praise ye the Lord!
Let us praise the Lord
Thanksgiving and song
Give thanks and sing
To him be outpoured
Let gratitude be expressed to Him
All ages along
For all generations to come
For love in creation
For God's love in creating everything
For heaven restored
For the promise of eternal life
For grace of salvation
For the unearned favor of being saved
O praise ye the Lord
Let us praise the Lord
Amen
So be it
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hubert Parry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ARACELI LOREDO
on Happy Is the Man
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