04 June 2017

Uher Hymn: Behold, How Like a Monarch

+

I am very grateful that the first two verses of this hymn are included in the month of May edition of Magnificat magazine.  I pray that those who make use of this hymn will be stregnthened in the very Peace of Christ and confirmed in walking His way of Peace.


Behold, how like a monarch
Peace enters in to reign
when all things rightly ordered
proclaim Christ's true domain.
God crowns each true peacemaker
with blessings from above
to share with friend and neighbour
the treasure of God's love.

The sacrifice of Jesus,
his rising from the dead,
his sending of the Spirit
turns this world on its head.
The promise of our Saviour
sings, 'Heaven is at hand.
Receive the Holy Spirit.
Peace to you and your land.'

Long nights we knew of warfare,
of desperate people's cries.
We see how nations falter
destroyed by greed and lies.
Christ's Cross, a contradiction
"Lay down your life for friends
so justice, hope, and mercy
fill the world's farthest ends."

To put an end to terror
we long to do what's right.
To save the world from horrors,
to vanquish evil's might.
Unless God leads and guides us
we turn Earth into hell.
Christ, shepherd all the nations
so all things shall be well!

Christ's peace, the Church's power,
His peace, our bravest song.
His sacrifice, his bleeding
make peace where once was wrong.
His Gospel mark our actions.
Our actions be as prayers
till Christ rules every nation,
swords beat into ploughshares.

Creator of all nature,
the Word through whom Life came,
the Spirit through us moving,
One God, we praise your Name.
We tell out your great goodness,
your tenderness and might
by which you end all terror.
Your peace crowns all with light.
 

Words: Copyright © 2003-2009 Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.

Suggested tunes: Es flog ein kleins Waldvöglein (Woodbird)
PASSION CHORALE (Herzlich thut mich verlangen)
AURELIA (The Church's One Foundation)
Meter: 76 76 D




Three verses of this hymn are especially appropriate for use on Pentecost Sunday which is also know as Whitsunday.  Those verses for use on Pentecost follow below:

Behold, how like a monarch
Peace enters in to reign
when all things rightly ordered
proclaim Christ's true domain.
God crowns each true peacemaker
with blessings from above
to share with friend and neighbour
the treasure of God's love.

The sacrifice of Jesus,

his rising from the dead,
his sending of the Spirit
turns this world on its head.
The promise of our Saviour
sings, 'Heaven is at hand.
Receive the Holy Spirit.
Peace to you and your land.'

Creator of all nature,
the Word through whom Life came,
the Spirit through us moving,
One God, we praise your Name.
We tell out your great goodness,
your tenderness and might
by which you end all terror.
Your peace crowns all with light.

Words: Copyright © 2003-2009 Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.

PASSION CHORALE (Herzlich thut mich verlangen)
AURELIA (The Church's One Foundation)
Meter: 76 76 D