Peace to Soothe
"Peace to soothe our bitter woes"
Eastertide, memorial
This lovely hymn by Nikolai Grundtvig, author of "Built on a Rock", has been disappearing from recent hymnals, this in a world full of bitter woes and in dire need of peace. We hope the added verse and peaceful new tune will lead to a revival.
1. Peace to soothe our bitter woes
God in Christ on us bestows;
Jesus bought our peace with God
With His holy, precious blood;
Peace in Him for sinners found
Is the Gospel's joyful sound.
2. "Peace to all," the angels sing,
"Peace I give," says Christ the King;
New the bond God's Son ordains,
Not by law or fear He reigns:
Peace stands free of wrath and guilt
For on grace and love is built.
3. Peace within the church still dwells
In her welcomes and farewells,
And through God's Baptismal power
Peace surrounds our dying hour;
Peace be with you, full and free,
Now and through eternity.
Thoughts behind the hymn:
I'm not sure why these lovely and timely verses are falling into disuse. I concur with the composer of this new tune, Gigi Lam, that it might be because the original tune, "Fred til Bod", seems jarringly jaunty for the serine sentiments. Perhaps it's because there are only two verses. I added a verse to allow the hymn to get more firmly placed in the minds of those who sing it, and to broaden the opportunities for which it could be sung.
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