Tune: RUSSIAN HYMN
Chorley was an English art and music critic (among other things) who had strong conservative views and was consistently opposed to anything innovative. That might give us some background to this hymnline.
There are, however, days when I wonder if “earth has forsaken meekness and mercy”; I’m more likely to ask, “Whatever happened to common courtesy?” or “Does everybody feel entitled to say and do whatever they please?”
Meek (humble, servant-minded, not all-about-me) and merciful (showing empathy and forgiveness, being non-judgmental and accepting of all) – these are two traits to which most of us Christ-followers aspire. Because these are important to us, we are sometimes frustrated that everyone else doesn’t feel the same way… which makes us less meek and less mercy-filled. It’s a vicious cycle!
The world around us may indeed have set aside the Word of God, lowering or erasing its significance. However, it is our reliance upon that same Word which enables us to avoid forsaking meekness and mercy – allows us to maintain those consistently even when we may feel like the Lone Stranger. We are, of course, not alone; we are surrounded by fellow strugglers on the path to pleasing the Model of gentleness and compassion.
[ In case you don’t know this hymn, the stanzas end with the refrain: “Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.”]
Diane Bish’s Organ Setting of the RUSSIAN HYMN
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