Music Notes for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (February 1, 2026)
Dr. John Michniewicz
This Sunday’s Liturgical Readings, for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, revolve around Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12a—known as the Beatitudes. In Jesus’ time, his teaching upended many expectations, including religious, social, and political norms. Instead of advocating for political revolt against Roman oppression, Jesus called for unconditional love for enemies, radical humility, and a new, inward-focused emphasis on true righteousness. The First Reading (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13) provides an Old Testament precursor to the Beatitudes by focusing on the poor and the lowly. The prophet Zephaniah calls on the “humble of the earth” to seek the Lord, promising that “the remnant of Israel” will be humble and seek refuge in the name of the Lord. Psalm 146’s responsorial refrain reinforces this theme, providing a thematic bridge to the Second Reading as well as the Gospel Reading, stating: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven is theirs!” The Psalm gives examples from the prophetic tradition in emphasizing that the Lord: provides justice for the oppressed, gives bread to the hungry, raises up those who are bowed down, loves the just, protects the stranger, upholds the orphan and the widow, and thwarts the path of the wicked. In the Second Reading (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) Paul emphasizes that God chooses those that the world sees as foolish, weak, or poor, thereby shaming those the world sees as strong and wise. In a sense, this reading serves as a commentary on the Beatitudes as well, showing that worldly strength, power and status do not lead to God’s favor. It echoes the sentiment of “blessed are the poor in spirit” by asserting that true blessing and glory come from following Christ. In the Gospel reading, Jesus then reveals the true way of discipleship. Each of the Beatitudes challenge conventional wisdom, stating that the blessed are: the poor in spirit, they who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, peacemakers, and the persecuted. Jesus emphasizes that the faithful live a life rooted in humility, and justice. God’s blessing is found in the reward of heaven and the eternal Kingdom of God.
Sunday’s Entrance Hymn: Praise My Soul The King of Heaven (Worship Hymnal No. 610) reflects that God’s saving grace and mercy are for all. This well-known hymn focuses on the eternal goodness of God, as the King of Heaven, emphasizing dependence on God rather than on personal pride and achievement. The hymn, based on Psalm 103, echoes Sunday’s chosen Psalm, 146, praising God for “his grace and favor,” and that God is “glorious in his faithfulness.” The hymn echoes Zephaniah’s call to seek the Lord, as the “humble of the earth,” echoed in the lyrics that celebrate God’s care for our “feeble frame” and God’s role as a “Father-like” figure who “tends and spares” us. Reflecting the reading from 1 Corinthians, the hymn focuses on God’s grace. The hymn’s message recognizes God as the source of all blessing and a refuge for the humble.
Sunday’s Presentation Hymn, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Worship Hymnal No. 707) is a meaningful hymn with text by the Scottish minister and missionary Horatius Bonar (1808-1889) using the hymn tune KINGSFOLD as arranged by the celebrated English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). The text reflects Jesus’ invitation to “Come unto me” and is a heartfelt meditation on the personal response to Christ’s call in the Beatitudes. Jesus proclaims “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted”, the hymn’s first verse echoes this promise of rest for the “weary, worn, and sad”.
The hymn’s second verse “stoop down and drink and live” parallels the Gospel’s promise that those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness…will be satisfied.” Zephaniah speaks of a people “humble and lowly,” known as the Anawim in Hebrew, who are the poor of every sort, who seek refuge in the Lord. The hymn mirrors this sense of humility by describing a believer coming to Jesus “as I was,” without needing to achieve greatness or worldly status first. In the reading from Corinthians, Paul teaches that God chooses those who are “foolish” or “weak” in the eyes of the world to reveal God’s strength. The third verse of the hymn identifies Jesus as the “dark world’s Light.” God’s wisdom—often ridiculed as darkness or foolishness by the world—is the true light that guides the faithful.
Interestingly, Ralph Vaughn Williams, the celebrated English composer, symphonist and music editor, fashioned the hymn tune KINGSFOLD from an English folk melody. He quite often arranged melodies from the English folk music tradition for use as hymns in church services. The following link below presents an interesting and quite unique version of the hymn as sung and arranged by vocalist Wendy Ritchie. It recasts the hymn in a touching Celtic and moving folk style, that perhaps recreates in a modern way, the spirit of the original folk
melody. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74kyfROS4q8
The second link here presents the hymn, also excellently presented in a more traditional manner, that is, sung by a choir and accompanied by the organ, as performed by the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrTZklB-JVk
I think the spirit of the folk tune, though, does come through nicely in both versions.
- I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, O weary one, lay down Your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, So weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting place, And he has made me glad.
- I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that lifegiving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in him.
- I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light;
Look unto me, your morn shall rise, And all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found In him my star, my sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk Till trav’ling days are done.
At the 11:30 Mass, the Choir will sing: The Beatitudes by James and Marilyn Biery.
The text is a paraphrase of the Beatitudes, using contemporary idioms. The text is illustrated poetically with vibrant imagery. Composer and music director James Biery, set his wife Marilyn’s text (herself an organist and music director) to a flowing and tuneful melody in 5/4 time, that is, five beats to the measure with alternating measures of 3/4 and 4/4 time. This highlights the natural speech rhythm of the text. For variety, the vocal textures are varied, with the lower voices, tenors and basses, singing the opening verse, the sopranos and altos have lines that are joined by the tenor and bass sections in the second verse, the third verse features a four-part a capella texture, the fourth verse is mostly unison with the organ providing a descant like harmony, and the final verse features the melody with a soprano descant/counter
melody. Marilyn Biery’s magnificent text provides expansive and meaningful imagery, for example, the sense of mourning is illustrated with the lines: “Bent in two with mourning, God’s comfort sustains you through all.” Meekness is evocatively given as “gentle, quiet meekness,” hunger as “aching hunger,” contrasted with “The satisfied heart will be yours.” Biery’s composed music provides the text with a very hopeful and uplifting sense and feeling, and ends with a triumphant admonition: “So blest are you; Hear the words of Jesus: The kingdom of Heaven is yours.” The pairing here of music and text provide a memorable message, poetically illustrating the Beatitudes.
- Lift up your hearts, You poor in spirit;
The kingdom of Heaven is yours. And blest are you,
Bent in two with mourning;
God’s comfort sustains you through all.
- Be still with gentle, Quiet meekness;
The plenty of earth will be yours. And blest are you,
Filled with aching hunger;
The satisfied heart will be yours.
- When joyfulness shows love and mercy, The mercy of God will be yours.
And blest are you,
Pure of heart and selfless;
The vision of God will be yours.
- Work tirelessly for peace and justice; As children of God you’ll be known. And blest are you
Who are persecuted;
The kingdom of Heaven is yours.
- Rejoice, be glad, be joyful people! The kingdom of Heaven is yours.
So blest are you;
Hear the words of Jesus:
The kingdom of Heaven is yours.
Here is a moving virtual performance of “The Beatitudes” by the choir of St. John’s Cathedral in Spokane, Washington. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOEylQdC0k0
At the 11:30 Mass, the choir will also sing the Communion Meditation: Let Your Faith Be Stronger Than Your Fear by Tom Trenney. This selection echoes the spirit of hope and optimism found in Jesus’ teaching of the Beatitudes. The text emphasizes that God is always present, guiding the faithful through challenge, persecution and even mourning. Jesus shows the way to healing, reward and rejoicing. Trenney, Director of Music in Lincoln, Nebraska at the First-Plymouth Church, is a contemporary composer, music director and organist known for his expressive, encouraging works. This anthem, for soloist and choir, (Sunday’s solo will be sung by Allie Savage) serves as a charge to live the Beatitudes in the world, overcoming fear with the strength of Christ. The anthem was written upon the occasion of the retirement of the Associate Minister at the First-Plymouth Church, Rev. Barb Smisek. The text incorporates a benediction that she frequently offered: “Let your faith be stronger than your fear,” and as well references some of her treasured scriptures: Psalm 23 (The Lord is my Shepherd), Revelation 21 and 22 referring to Christ’s light shining in place of a lamp and the sun. Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who wait on the Lord will “renew their strength” and “mount up with wings like Eagles.” The line “I will be the joy that seeks you through your sorrow,” speaks directly to Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes. The line: “Though the waters rage and foam, fear not, I’m with you, ” refer to Matthew 8:23-27, where Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, and in John 14:6, Jesus says “I am the way and the truth and the life,” as referenced in Trenny’s fourth verse. The references to these passages provide a hopeful message of faith, courage and strength, again pointing to Jesus’ message in the Beatitudes.
In the deserts of your life, I’ll not desert you. I will make a way beside a flowing stream.
Through the valley, do not fear, for I am with you; my rod and staff to comfort and redeem.
In the darkness of your life, I will not leave you.
In the shadow, I’m your light, your lamp, your sun. I will be the star that shines above to guide you,
a light unto your path to lead you on.
Do not be afraid, I go before you. Do not be afraid, I am by your side. Be still and know that I am with you.
Let your faith be stronger than your fear.
When you’re weary, when you’re faint, I will be with you. I will raise you up to soar on eagle’s wings.
I will be the joy that seeks you through your sorrow. Unending hope my resurrection brings.
When the storms of life assail, I will uphold you. I will strengthen you; I’ll be the help you need.
Though the waters rage and foam, fear not, I’m with you. I am the way, the truth, the life, indeed!
Do not be afraid.
Here is a link to Tom Trenney conducting the “Sing Your Faith/Refresh Your Spirit” Choir of the First-Plymouth Church in Let Your Faith Be Stronger Than Your
Fear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfMdN9_Elyc
Sunday’s Final Hymn, O God, Beyond All Praising (Worship Hymnal No. 627) features a modern text, written in 1982, by the English writer and minister, Rev. Michael Perry (1942-1996) who wrote over 200 hymn texts. The text was written specifically to fit the majestic “THAXTED” hymn tune, which is the celebrated hymn-like movement found in the orchestral suite by Gustav Holst, The Planets, composed between 1914-1916. Holst himself adapted the melody for use as an English hymn. As Holst began the work just prior to the outbreak of World War I, The Planets is seen as Holst’s critique of, and a critical response to, the tragedy of war. Perry’s modern text, which highlights themes of gratitude and steadfast faith through life’s challenges, perfectly echoes these themes found in the Beatitudes, as does the music, essentially underscoring Jesus’ words: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Since its writing 44 years ago, O God, Beyond All Praising has become a widely popular and beloved hymn, represented in numerous hymnals.
- O God beyond all praising, we worship you today
and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay; for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
at blessings without number and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word, we honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.
- The flower of earthly splendor in time must surely die,
its fragile Bloom surrender to you, the Lord most high;
but hidden from all nature the eternal seed is sown
though small in mortal stature, to heaven’s garden grown:
for Christ the man from heaven from death has set us free, and we through him
are given the final victory.
- Then hear, O gracious Savior, accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favor may serve you as our king; and whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill,
we’II triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways, and make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.
Here is a performance of O God Beyond All Praising by the Duke University Chapel Choir and Amalgam Brass Ensemble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ym9pO_2vc