Blest Are They (Matthew 5:3-12)

Hymn Information

First Line: Blest are they, the poor in spirit
Author: David Haas, b. 1957
Tune Name: BLEST ARE THEY
Composer: David Haas
Composer (descant): Michael Joncas, b. 1951
Topic: Hope · Jesus Christ: Miracles · Jesus Christ: Teachings of · Joy · Kingdom

Copyright Information

Text Copyright

Tune Copyright

Reprint/Projection Information

Words and Music: Permitted with a license from OneLicense.net. If you do not own this license, please contact the copyright holder for permission.

Scripture References

Matthew 5:1-12
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Matthew 5:12

Further Reflections on Scripture References

The text is a simple and memorable setting of the Beatitudes. “Rejoice and be glad!” from verse 12 serves as an encouraging and uplifting refrain.

Sing! A New Creation

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Belhar Confession, sections 3 and 5

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Stanzas 4 and 5 speak about the call to seek peace and, even, to suffer hate. These requirements are the same as those which gave rise to the Belhar Confession, Section 3. The church is called to be a “peacemaker” and to “witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwell.” The Belhar Confession, Section 5 calls the church to obedience even though “…punishment and suffering be the consequence.”

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Blest Are They (Matthew 5:3-12)

Tune Information

Name: BLEST ARE THEY
Key: G Major
Meter: irregular

Recordings

Songs For Life

Musical Suggestion

“Blest Are They” is one of the most popular songs of the liturgical folk movement. Like most songs in this style, the verses should be a bit quieter to leave room for the refrain to fully blossom. This style calls for the guitar to play a prominent role, with a full strum that echoes the 2 against 3 pattern found on page 2, measures 3-4.

— Greg Scheer

This melody stays in the mind and heart long after the music has died away. The folk style is easy to play for keyboardists and guitarists, but correct word placement on the stanzas can be tricky. Therefore begin with a cantor or choir singing at least the opening stanzas and the entire assembly joining on the refrain.

Feel in one and let the refrain soar into the ascending seventh on “Rejoice! And be glad!” and then fall back down with “Yours is the kingdom of God.” The descant especially adds to the feeling of soaring. Enjoy the hemiola (the duple accompaniment under the first “glad” in the accompaniment), and repeat the refrain one extra time at the end.

— Sing! A New Creation

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Blest Are They (Matthew 5:3-12)

Hymn Story/Background

This is one of the most notable settings of Jesus’ beatitudes in Matthew 5, made even more memorable by the rousing refrain.

— Bert Polman

Composer Information

Michael Joncas is a liturgical composer, author, speaker, and professor who is perhaps best known for his song "On Eagle's Wings."

He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a master's degree in theology and liturgical studies. Michael also graduated summa cum laude with degrees in liturgical studies from Pontificio Istituto Liturgico of the Ateneo Sant'Anselmo.

From 1980 to 1984, he was associate pastor with Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Maplewood, Minnesota. Following that assignment, he was campus minister and education director for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 1987. Next, from 1987 to 1991, he was focused on graduate study in Rome. From 1991 to 1993, he was a parochial administrator at St. Cecilia's Parish in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Michael has published three books, titled The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Liturgy and Sacraments, Preaching the Rites of Christian Initiation andFrom Sacred Song to Ritual Music. Over 100 of his articles have appeared in publications such as Worship, Pastoral Music and Ecclesia Orans. He also has over 20 collections of liturgical music.

He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.

— OCP (http://www.ocp.org/)

Author and Composer Information

David Haas (b. Bridgeport, Michigan, 1957) resides in Eagan, Minnesota, where he is director of The Emmaus Center for Music, Prayer and Ministry and serves as campus minister at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota where he also directs the CDH Liturgical Choir.

Highly regarded as one of the preeminent liturgical music composers in the English-speaking world, he has produced more than 45 collections of original music. His liturgical works are sung and prayed throughout the world and appear in hymnals of many Christian denominations and in many languages.

David’s newest projects with GIA include A Changed Heart, Your Call Is Constant (a book of prayers and reflections), and Mass for A New World. Other recent projects with GIA include Living Spirit, Holy Fire; God Is Here, and Reach Toward Heaven. His live recording and video “Glory Day” continues to receive international acclaim, and he has served as a consultant for the various editions of the popular GIA hymnals Gather and Gather Comprehensive.

— GIA Publications, Inc. (http://www.giamusic.com)