Hope of Israel – Choral Arrangement

Hope of Israel, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “For the Perfecting of the Saints” studying the book of Ephesians. The Merrill family are the guest singers for this song. Carrie Merrill is my sister-in-law, my husband’s sister, and she has a beautiful family who all sings! As I was looking at the upcoming suggested songs, I knew this one would be perfect to arrange with them. “Hope of Israel” is my first choral arrangement in this series and the sheet music can be found here: http://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/

Here is a section from Ephesians, that was part of what prompted the lyrics of this song:

• Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be ^astrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole ^aarmour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we ^awrestle not ^bagainst ^cflesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the ^drulers of the ^edarkness of this world, against spiritual ^fwickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins ^agirt about with ^btruth, and having on the ^cbreastplate of ^drighteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of ^apeace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of ^afaith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery ^bdarts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of ^asalvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 ^aPraying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all ^bperseverance and supplication for all saints;

The Come Follow Me Manual focuses on a few questions related to this topic:

• “As you read Ephesians 6:10–18, consider why Paul named each piece of armor the way he did. How does each piece of armor protect us spiritually? What can we do to help each other “put on the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:11) every day?”

This figurative armour is a metaphore that likely felt relatable to the Ephesians in Paul’s day, but maybe not so much to many of us today. The part that I believe relates well to us is when Paul emphasizes that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers…against spiritual wickedness”…which all of us deal with in our daily lives. The protections he lists are: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Spirit and praying always with perseverance. I think discussing how we can “‘put on the whole armour of God’ every day,” could prompt a really good discussion in our Sunday school classes and families!

The scripture references for Hope of Israel are:

• Ephesians 6:10-18 See Above
• 2 Nephi 28:7-8, 20-28: 7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: ^aEat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. 8 And there shall also be many which shall say: ^aEat, drink, and be ^bmerry; nevertheless, fear God—he will ^cjustify in committing a little ^dsin; yea, ^elie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a ^fpit for thy neighbor; there is ^gno harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God. 20 For behold, at that day shall he ^arage in the ^bhearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. 21 And others will he ^apacify, and lull them away into carnal ^bsecurity, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the ^cdevil ^dcheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. 22 And behold, others he ^aflattereth away, and telleth them there is no ^bhell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful ^cchains, from whence there is no deliverance. 23 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be ^ajudged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a ^blake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. 24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ^aease in Zion! 25 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well! 26 Yea, wo be unto him that ^ahearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost! 27 Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we ^aneed no more! 28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are ^aangry because of ^bthe truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the ^crock ^dreceiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

The composers of this song are: Text: Joseph L. Townsend, 1849–1942 Music: William Clayson, 1840–1887

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Select images and film used within this music video come from churchofjesuschrist.org, Brad and Marilee Leishman and Steve Pierce