Barry McGuire - Beatitudes Lyrics
Lyrics
Ah, rejoice, rejoice, be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
Yes, I said, rejoice, rejoice, be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
Yeah, blessed are the poor in spirit
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
And blessed are they that mourn
For they shall be comforted
C'mon and rejoice, rejoice, be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
Sing it, rejoice, rejoice, be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
Blessed are the meek
For they shall inherit the earth
And blessed are they which do hunger
Yes, and thirst after righteousness
For they shall be filled
Ah, rejoice, rejoice, and be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
C'mon, c'mon
And rejoice, rejoice, be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
Blessed are the merciful
For they shall obtain mercy
And blessed are the pure in heart
Ah, for they shall be the ones
They shall all see God
C'mon, rejoice, rejoice, yes, and be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
C'mon, c'mon
Rejoice, rejoice, be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
Yeah, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Rejoice, rejoice, yes, and be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven
C'mon, now, rejoice, rejoice, yeah, be exceeding glad
Great is your reward in heaven...
Video
Barry McGuire - Beatitudes
Meaning & Inspiration
Barry McGuire's "Beatitudes," released on June 27, 2020, arrives as a potent reflection from an artist whose career has traversed significant spiritual ground, transitioning from a celebrated folk-rock voice to a committed messenger of faith. This track offers more than just a musical performance; it is a profound declaration, drawing directly from the Sermon on the Mount, presenting Jesus's foundational teachings with a directness and passion that resonates deeply. McGuire doesn't merely recite; he embodies the spirit of these divine blessings, inviting all who engage with the song to consider the radical counter-cultural wisdom they contain.
The song's core meaning lies in its faithful rendering of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, a passage often considered the blueprint for Christian living. Here, Jesus outlines characteristics that, while seemingly disadvantageous in worldly terms, lead to profound spiritual favor and ultimate joy. McGuire's interpretation emphasizes this divine paradox: that true blessedness is found not in power or prosperity, but in humility, sorrow, meekness, and a fervent pursuit of righteousness. It’s a call to understand God’s economy, where the last shall be first, and those who sacrifice earthly comfort for spiritual truth receive an eternal reward.
A central, unifying element of the song is its recurring refrain: "Rejoice, rejoice, be exceeding glad / Great is your reward in heaven." This isn't just a catchy chorus; it's an exhortation, a spiritual anchor that grounds the potentially challenging concepts of the Beatitudes in a context of ultimate hope and divine promise. This command to rejoice, even amidst the conditions described in the Beatitudes, echoes Scriptural encouragements to find joy in trials, as seen in James 1:2, which urges believers to "consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds," and Philippians 4:4, which unequivocally states, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" McGuire's delivery transforms this message into an insistent, affirming declaration, reminding us that the temporary struggles are overshadowed by an incomparable heavenly reward.
McGuire then guides us through the individual blessings with an earnest voice. He begins with, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." This beatitude speaks not to material poverty, but to a profound humility and recognition of one’s complete dependence on God, aligning with Isaiah 66:2, where God looks to "him who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." The reward is immediate spiritual kingship. Following this, the promise, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted," acknowledges the deep sorrows of life, whether for personal loss, the brokenness of the world, or penitence over sin. It's a divine pledge of solace, evocative of Revelation 21:4, where God promises to "wipe every tear from their eyes."
The journey through the Beatitudes continues with equally profound statements. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" presents a radical inversion of worldly power dynamics. Meekness, often misunderstood as weakness, is portrayed as strength under divine control, a gentle spirit that, as Psalm 37:11 affirms, will ultimately possess the earth. Then comes the assurance, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." This describes a deep, spiritual craving for God’s justice, holiness, and moral uprightness—a profound longing that God pledges to satisfy, much like Jesus declared in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." McGuire’s raw vocalizations lend an authentic urgency to these divine provisions.
The culmination of these blessings leads to the purest forms of divine interaction. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" highlights a divine principle of reciprocity, underscoring that our compassion towards others reflects God’s own boundless mercy and is a prerequisite for receiving it ourselves, a truth reiterated in Luke 6:36: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." The final beatitude explored here, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," points to the ultimate spiritual aspiration. Purity of heart signifies sincerity, integrity, and an undivided devotion to God, much like the righteous individual described in Psalm 24:3-4 who has "clean hands and a pure heart" and can ascend to God's presence. McGuire’s voice conveys the weight and wonder of this ultimate, intimate encounter.
Ultimately, Barry McGuire's "Beatitudes" is far more than a song; it's a spiritual meditation and a compelling call to embrace a divinely-ordained path to fulfillment. Through his authentic delivery and unwavering focus on the lyrical message, McGuire revitalizes these ancient truths, making them resonate with contemporary relevance. The song serves as a powerful encouragement, prompting us to examine our own lives against these challenging yet profoundly rewarding principles. It’s a timeless reminder that true blessedness stems from an alignment with God's character, culminating in the joyous expectation of a heavenly reward, a cause for endless rejoicing.