132. God of Jacob, Please Remember

Text Information
First Line: God of Jacob, please remember
Title: God of Jacob, Please Remember
Versifier: Calvin Seerveld (1983)
Meter: 87 87 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 1987
Scripture:
Topic: Anniversaries; Biblical Names & Places: David; Biblical Names & Places: Jacob (6 more...)
Copyright: © Calvin Seerveld
Tune Information
Name: BLAENWERN
Composer: William P. Rowlands (1905)
Meter: 87 87 D
Key: F Major


Text Information:

A prayer for God’s blessing on David s royal son, and God's reassuring answer.

Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-5
st. 2 = vv. 6-9
st. 3 = vv. 10-12
st. 4 = vv. 13-16
st. 5 = vv.17-18

One of fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (120-134) sung by the Israelites as they went up to worship at the temple in Jerusalem, Psalm 132 was distinctly messianic for Israel as they waited for God's promised restoration of the throne of David. Central to the psalm is the prayer for God's blessing on David's royal Son (vv. 1, 10; st. 1,3). This prayer comes out of David's deep commitment to provide a permanent "resting place" for the LORD's throne (the ark of the covenant) in the midst of the people in order to make the LORD central in Israel's life (vv. 2-9; st. 1-2). The LORD's answer–I will ever uphold and prosper my anointed (vv. 17-18; st. 5)–is rooted in God's covenant oath to David (vv. 11-12; st. 3) and in God's own choice of Zion as his desired "resting place" (st. 4). Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) paraphrased this psalm in 1983 for the Psalter Hymnal.

Liturgical Use:
Because of its messianic import, Psalm 132 is appropriate in conjunction with preaching on salvation history and during Advent.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Composed by William Penfro Rowlands (b. Maenclochog, Pembrokeshire, Wales, 1860; d. Swansea, Glamorganshire, Wales, 1937) during the Welsh revival of 1904-1905, BLAENWERN was published in Henry H. Jones's Cân a Moliant (1915). The tune's name refers to a farm in Pembroke shire where Rowlands convalesced in his youth.

A church musician of many talents, Rowlands was a teacher in several schools. He composed hymn tunes and anthems and was conductor of the famous Morriston United Choral Society of southern Wales and precentor of the Tabernacle Congregational Church in Morriston. BLAENWERN gained its current popularity through Billy Graham crusades when it was sung to "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (579).

Play this majestic music with two broad beats per measure. Especially when sung with its fine harmonization, BLAENWERN gradually builds to a powerful climax at the end of phrase 3 and the beginning of phrase 4. Assign some stanzas for antiphonal singing in harmony, but have the entire group sing stanza 5 in unison, perhaps with a slightly slower tempo.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook


Media
MIDI file: MIDI
MIDI file: MIDI Preview
(Faith Alive Christian Resources)
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