May the Peoples Praise You
anthem for SATB choir, organ, piano, and bells
Written to commemorate 50th Jubilee Celebrations in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, this piece exults the possibilities present within communities of faith. As the text progresses from Psalm 67 to Ephesians 4 to the words of Arlington patron St. Thomas More, the music praises God in thanks for all His Gifts and reaffirms the Church’s commitment to sharing those gifts. Most importantly, it frames grace from God, love for neighbor, and fortitude in struggle as the keys to continued prosperity.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Gerard Wegemer, a St. Thomas More scholar and professor at the University of Dallas, who, upon receiving my cold email, directed me to the words of More’s last written prayer. I had already decided to incorporate Psalm 67 purely for its jubilant tone and emphasis on gratitude, but I was delighted to learn from Dr. Wegemer that it was a favorite passage for St. Thomas More’s and that he prayed it with his family every night. Learning this convinced me that this piece was meant to be.
-Matthew Thomas Brown
Text:
Psalm 67 (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
May the peoples praise you, [O] God;
May all the peoples praise you!
May the nations be glad and rejoice;
for you judge the peoples with fairness,
The earth has yielded its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May the peoples praise you, God!
[May the peoples bless you God!]
May the people praise you!
Ephesians 4: 2-6 (adapted from New American Bible, Revised Edition)
[May we live] with humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.
[May this bond be preserved:] One body and one spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, [who is] through all, [who is] in all, [who has made all, who has blessed all, who has saved all!]
Psalm 67 (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
May the peoples praise you, [O] God;
May all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us still;
that the ends of the earth may revere Him.
Adapted from the final written prayer of St. Thomas More, July 1535
May he grant us the grace to labor for all that we pray.
Psalm 67 (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
May the peoples praise you, [O] God.
Duration
5 Minutes
Year of Composition
2024
Instrumentation
SATB choir, organ, piano (strongly encouraged, but may be done without)
Optional Bell requirements:
Handbells (5 octaves, C3-C8 sounding)
and
Tonechimes (3 octaves, C4-C7 sounding)
