>>EDITED POST MATERIAL<<
Well, here's a revision based on a few ideas from fellow Apple contributor, Doc Gene.
I like it a lot better now! Thanks for the ideas Gene. I took it a few steps further...
Here are the revised lyrics, though not incredibly different, I changed many of the verses by removing one syllable/word to make the line match up with the original first verse melody. Here's the revised lyric and a newer recording:
May the Nations Praise You (Psalm 67)
Steven Wesley Guiles
revised on 9/24/09 with some ideas from Gene
Bolded parts were modified from the original lyric.
(syllables/number of notes sung)
May God show mercy and bless us (8/9)
His face shine with favor upon us (9/10)
Your ways shall be known throughout the earth (9/9)
Your power among your people to save us (11/12)
May the nations praise you, O God (8/10)
May the nations praise you, O Lord (8/10)
How glad the nations will be (7/9)
Singing for joy because you govern them with justice (13/13)
You guide the nations of the earth (8/9)
May the nations praise you, O God (8/10)
May the nations praise you, O Lord (8/10)
May the nations praise you, O God (8/10)
May the nations praise you, O Lord (8/10)
The earth will yield it's harvest (7/8)
And God, our God, he will richly bless us (10/10)
The people of the whole world (7/8)
Will know his works and fear him (7/8)
The ends of the earth will fear him. (8/9)
May the nations praise you, O God (8/10)
May the nations praise you, O Lord (8/10)
May the nations praise you, O God (8/10)
May the nations praise you, O Lord (8/10)
One of my greatest inspirations is the Bible, in particular, the book of Psalms, basically the early songs of the Jewish people for congregational worship. I've always associated with King David in his desire to be close to God regardless of what others think, even to the point of foolishness (and nudity). :)
So, I'm going to let my leaves fall where they may, and place one of this song of worship here.
It's almost a direct quotation of Psalm 67 (New Living Translation). I was pleasantly surprised at how well it fell into the melodic pattern I'd come up with.
After looking at the lyrics, I think it might flow smoother to remove a few syllables in the second line (get rid of everywhere in the 4th line). Thoughts?
May the Nations Praise You.mp3 (version two)
May the Nations Praise You.mp3 (original)
May the Nations Praise You (Psalm 67)
Steven Wesley Guiles
May God be merciful and bless us
May his face shine with favor upon us
May your ways be known throughout the earth
Your saving power among your people everywhere
May the nations praise you, O God
May the nations praise you, O Lord
How glad the nations will be
Singing for joy because you govern them with justice
You guide the nations of the earth
May the nations praise you, O God
May the nations praise you, O Lord
May the nations praise you, O God
May the nations praise you, O Lord
The earth will yield it's harvest
And God, our God, he will richly bless us
And the people of the whole world
Will know his works and fear him
The ends of the earth will fear him.
May the nations praise you, O God
May the nations praise you, O Lord
May the nations praise you, O God
May the nations praise you, O Lord
photo by spoon.
