Matt Redman - Your Grace Finds MeSampel

Benediction

In Numbers chapter 6 the Lord teaches Moses a priestly blessing, which he is to pass on to Aaron and his sons for the blessing of the Israelites:

“The Lord bless You and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you
And be gracious to You;
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”

This prayer of blessing has been passed down through the centuries, and is used in the liturgies of many different streams of the church. What I love most about it is that it’s a “one-size-fits-all” prayer. It’s a universal blessing that can be prayed over anyone, at any time. It will work well in a time of need, yet also in a time of plenty. It can apply to a single mother of four children or a frail and aging gentleman. It’ll ring true in an office, a church service, a classroom or a war-zone. It can be spoken or sung over a single individual, or over a whole gathering. Be it a late night visit to the hospital bedside of a sick friend or simply sending your child off to school one morning, this is a universal and wonderfully adaptable prayer. If you are ever faced with praying over an intense moment in a person’s life and you find yourself at a complete loss for words, there is perhaps no better prayer than this simple benediction.

In this song, we aimed for a fresh interpretation of these ancient lyrics. Hoping that the heart of it stays fully intact, we took verses and phrases from several different translations of scripture – and weaved them all into one song. I pray that even as you read these words right now, you will have a sense of that old priestly blessing extending to every single fiber of your being today:

“May the Lord bless you
And keep You.
May the Lord smile on you,
Shine His light upon you.
May the Lord lift you,
Turn His face towards you -
Give You His peace,
Give You His peace.”