THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU (Anthem and Sevenfold Amen)

Peter C. Lutkin’s setting of "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" is a beloved choral standard, drawing its text directly from the Aaronic blessing in the Book of Numbers. For many choirs, it serves as a deeply moving dismissal or recessional piece, sending the congregation forth with a gentle, harmonious prayer for peace and grace.

The piece is famous for its concluding "Sevenfold Amen," where the voices weave together in a series of cascading, overlapping entries. Singing this section requires careful breath control and attention to dynamics, as the choir builds the harmony before settling into a quiet, reverent final chord. It is a fitting way to close a Mass or a special liturgical celebration, leaving a lingering sense of spiritual calm in the church.