Church Hymnary (4th ed.) ‎#274

274. Comfort, comfort now my people

1 Comfort, comfort now my people;
speak of peace - so says your God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
burdened by a heavy load.
To Jerusalem proclaim:
God shall take away your shame.
Now get ready to recover;
guilt and suffering are over.

2 Hear the herald's proclamation
in the desert far and near,
calling all to true repentance,
telling that the Lord is near.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
For your God prepare a way.
Let the valleys rise to greet him
and the hills bow down to meet him.

3 Straighten out what has been crooked,
make the roughest places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
live as fits God's holy reign.
Soon the glory of the Lord
shall on earth be shed abroad.
Human flesh shall surely see it,
God is ready to decree it.

Text Information

• First Line: Comfort, comfort now my people
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)
• Adapter: Johannes Olearius (1611-1684)
• Alterer: John L. Bell (b. 1949)
• Meter: 87 87 77 88
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2005
• Scripture:
  Isaiah 40:1-5
• Topic: Christ Incarnate: Promise of the Messiah; Penitence

Tune Information

• Name: GENEVAN 42
• Composer: Louis Bourgeois (c. 1510-1561)
• Harmonizer: John L. Bell (b. 1949)
• Meter: 87 87 77 88
• Key: F Major
• Source: 34 Pseaulmes de David, Geneva 1551
• Copyright: © Church of Scotland Panel on Worship