Blest Are the Contrite Hearts

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Blest are the contrite hearts

Versifier: Calvin Seerveld (1984)
Tune: AYLESBURY (Chetham)
Published in 2 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative text cannot be shown for this hymn due to copyright.

Versifier: Calvin Seerveld

Calvin Seerveld (b. 1930) was professor of aesthetics at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto from 1972 until he retired in 1995. Educated at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; the University of Michigan; and the Free University of Amsterdam (Ph.D.), he also studied at Basel University in Switzerland, the University of Rome, and the University of Heidelberg. Seerveld began his career by teaching at Bellhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi (1958-1959), and at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois (1959-1972). A fine Christian scholar, fluent in various biblical and modern languages, he is published widely in aesthetics, biblical studies, and philosophy. His books include Take Hold of God and Pull (1966), The Gr… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Blest are the contrite hearts
Title:	Blest Are the Contrite Hearts
Versifier:	Calvin Seerveld (1984)
Meter:	6.6.8.6
Language:	English
Copyright:	© Calvin Seerveld

Matthew 5:3-16
(hymns)

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Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Matt. 5:3-4
st. 2 = Matt. 5:5-6
st. 3 = Matt. 5:7-8
st. 4 = Matt. 5:9-10
st. 5 = Matt. 5:11-12
st. 6 = Matt. 5:13-16
st. 7 = Matt. 5:16

With the tune WIRKSWORTH in mind, Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) prepared this unrhymed versification of Matthew 5:3-16 in 1984 for the Psalter Hymnal. The passage includes the well-known Beatitudes (vv. 3-12; st. 1-5), which recount the blessings of the righteous and the "salt and light" metaphors (vv. 13-16; st. 6-7), which call the righteous to show their faith so that others may praise the Lord.

Liturgical Use:
Worship services focusing on the kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount–or, more specifically, the Beatitudes (st. 1-5) or the "salt and light" passage (st. 6-7).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

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Tune

AYLESBURY (Chetham)

Also called: WIRKSWORTH WIRKSWORTH was first published in John Chetham's collection A Book of Psalmody (1718) and gained its present shape in James Green's Book of Psalm Tunes (1724). Set in minor tonality, WIRKSWORTH has a folk-like charm. The tune's name derives from the town Wirksworth in Derbysh…

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