Jerusalem (Live at Home)
UPDATE 10.20.23
Streaming Everywhere:
https://slinky.to/jerusalem
———
10.11.23
Tonight, after my family fell asleep and the house became quiet, I offered up this song, a prayer for Israel, rooted in Scripture.
For months, I’ve been singing a new melody for Psalm 122:6. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” It was hopeful, even if earnest, almost happy: rooted in a major key, and it brought a smile to my face as I sang it. But on October 7th, 2023, the unthinkable happened. My friends and family in Israel feared for their lives, some were called up to serve in the IDF, others were given seconds to hide in bomb shelters, some wondered how to explain this terror to their young children. Hundreds of families grieved the loss of loved ones before that first day was finished. My prayers for Jerusalem’s peace were now accompanied by tears of sorrow. The “worship song” I was writing felt melodically inappropriate. It didn’t carry the emotions I was feeling any longer.
Driving home from the airport that very evening, I began to sing, crying out for “the Guardian of Israel to arise”, for the hosts of Heaven to fill the skies over Israel like when Elisha’s servant’s eyes were opened at the siege of Dothan and witnessed chariots of fire in every direction.
I revisited the song, giving it a foundation in a minor key instead of major. Suddenly it felt right. Pleading and desperate. I picture a number of people specifically each time I sing it… and it makes it difficult to sing. Precious people to me: on the front lines, in Jerusalem, in the Golan, in Tiberius, Netanya, Eilat, Haifa, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Tel Aviv…I pray for your safety my dear ones. For the Guardian of Israel to deliver once again.
“How long, O LORD? Let Your Kingdom come.”
-Aaron
JERUSALEM
Words and Music: Aaron Shust
October 8th, 2023
VERSE
Dm
We pray for the peace
A/C# Am/C G/B
We pray for the peace of Jer-u-salem. (Ps 122:6)
Dm A/C#
For the sake of our brothers and friends
Am/C G/B
We now say, “Sha-lom be with-in you”. (Ps 122:8)
Dm
We pray for the peace
A/C# Am/C G/B
We pray for the peace of Jer-u-salem (Ps 122:6)
Bb A
For the sake of the House of the LORD
Dm
We seek your good (Ps 122:9)
TURN
Dm A/C# Am/C G/B
MIDDLE EIGHT
Gm/Bb A
So may the Guardian of Israel arise (Ps 121:4)
Gm/Bb A
May His chariots of fire fill the skies (2 Kgs 6:17)
Gm/Bb A
To pro-tect you from every evil and keep your lives. (Ps 121:7)
Gm Asus A Dm
We cry, “How long, O LORD, How long?” (Ps 13:3)
