RitualSong (2nd ed.) ‎#497

497. Comfort, Comfort, O My People

1 Comfort, comfort, O my people,
Speak of peace, now says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning under sorrows' load.
Speak unto Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them.
Tell of all the sins I cover,
And that warfare now is over.

2 Hark, the voice of one who's crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all to full repentance
Since the kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way!
Let the valleys rise to meet him
And the hills bow down to greet him.

3 O make straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits his holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad.
And all flesh shall see the token
That his word is never broken.

Text Information

• First Line: Comfort, comfort, O my people
• Title: Comfort, Comfort, O My People
• German Title: Tröstet, tröstet, meine Lieben
• Author: Johann Olearius, 1611-1684
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878 (alt.)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 77 88
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2016
• Scripture:
  Isaiah 40:1-8
• Topic: Advent

Tune Information

• Name: GENEVA 42
• Harmonizer: Claude Goudimel, 1505-1572 (adapt.)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 77 88
• Key: F Major or modal
• Source: Genevan Psalter, 1551