In the presence of your people
I will praise your name,
for alone you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Let us celebrate your goodness
and your steadfast love;
may your name be exalted
here on earth and in heaven above.
Source: The Book of Praise #427
First Line: | In the presence of your people |
Title: | In the Presence of Your People |
Paraphraser: | Brent Chambers (1977) |
Meter: | Irregular |
Place of Origin: | New Zealand |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | © 1977, Scripture in Song. Admin. By Integrity Music |
Scripture References:
st. = Ps. 22:3, 22; 52:9b; 145:7
Brent Sinclair Chambers (b. Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, 1948) composed this song after experiencing an evening of ethnic music and dance in 1977. Chambers attended the Bible College of New Zealand and Auckland University and then became a self-employed painting contractor and song writer. He has written or co-written over five hundred songs, a number of which have been recorded or published. He based the text on Psalm 22:3, 22 and Psalm 145:7, though the words of the first line could also have been taken from Psalm 52:9b. He named his tune CELEBRATION, and both text and music were published in Scripture in Song (1977), one of the most important Scripture-chorus collections (initially from New Zealand) of the 1970s. The vocable "lai," suggested for the descant line on the repetition of the music, can be replaced with combinations of "ah" and "alleluia." Other stanzas can be added as well.
In 1986 Bert Polman (PHH 37) wrote two additional stanzas based on Psalm 22:3, 23-28. These additional stanzas were rejected by the copyright owners for the Psalter Hymnal, but were accepted later for publication in Songs for LiFE (CRC Publications, 1994):
2
All who love you sing your praises
and proclaim your power,
for alone you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
You have not ignored our suffering,
but have heard our cry;
may your power be exalted
here on earth and in heaven above.
3
All who seek your rule will praise you
and be satisfied;
for alone you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel. All the peoples of the nations
will bow down to you;
may your rule be exalted
here on earth and in heaven above.
Liturgical Use:
Beginning of worship, especially at festive services.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook