Interfaith Insight - 2023
Permanent link for Miserere mei, Deus: "Have mercy upon me, O God," by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU on October 24, 2023
In the 1600s, at the request of Pope Urban VIII, Gregorio Allegri composed the music to the Latin text of Psalm 51, known as “Miserere mei, Deus.” For over a century it was sung by the papal choir in Rome only during Holy Week, and carefully guarded so it could not be sung anywhere else. In 1770 a 14-year-old Mozart heard the piece, went home and transcribed it from memory. It was later published and is now heard frequently throughout the world. I first heard it live at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England, but later sung by the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys at St. Andew’s Cathedral. You can hear a recording of the King’s College choir performance at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lC7V8hG198.
It is certainly beautiful music, and the text is most appropriate for any faith tradition seeking mercy in our world of conflict and violence. The Miserere is based on a Psalm text shared by Christians and those of the Jewish faith. The Latin words of the sung Psalm 51 are translated, “Have mercy upon me, O God.” The theme of mercy is also reflected in most of the chapters of the Qur’an, which begin, “In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” Mercy, a theme shared by nearly all of the world’s religions, is the recognition that we cannot on our own live up to what it means to be authentically human. It is the recognition that we do not always love our neighbor as ourselves, or love God with our whole heart, soul, strength and mind.
Miserere mei, Deus. Lord, have mercy.
Later in the psalm we hear the words, “Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.” In our personal lives as well as in a world torn by conflict, we need not only God’s mercy but also a right spirit. Whatever faith we claim, let this be our prayer.
As we look at our world and in our own country, the need for mercy, graciousness, respect and love seems to be in short supply. Politics divide, not only our country but families and friends. Captured by our individual echo chambers, we have lost the ability to understand, let alone love our neighbor.
Miserere mei, Deus. Lord, have mercy.
Fear of the “other” because of their religion, skin color, what they wear, or how they pray, has led to discrimination and violence. We build walls around ourselves that prevent our seeing the humanity of others. Save us from the sin of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
As we face division in our own land and in the world – division which leads to hatred, and hatred which leads to violence -- we need to remember the Psalm of repentance that cries out for mercy.
Miserere mei, Deus. Lord, have mercy.
