SPLENDOR AND MAJESTY

This song was originally penned by Ralph P. Merrifield in 1993. Lenny Smith of "Our God Reigns" fame collaborated with Ralph in 1996 to produce one of the most majestic praise songs I have ever been privileged to arrange and perform.

Not as well known yet as "Our God Reigns" but equally as compelling a song to hear and the lyrics are superb! I arranged, orchestrated and composed this MIDI file especially for Lenny Smith at his request.

The Tympani section introduces the song´s regal characteristics. The brass section carries on until the flute takes over the lead and the strings weave in and out as a lost zephyr while the French horns provide the counter melody.

I could just envision someone like Sandi Patti, Larnell Harris or Sylvester Blue with a large orchestra behind them recording this beautiful song! Unfortunately, my meager presentation of only a MIDI file here does not do the song justice. This was from Larrie Dee Productions.

HISTORY:

I originally wrote "Splendor and Majesty" January 9, 1993 (based on I Chronicles 16:24-27), and modified it while navigating bumper-to-bumper commuter traffic on Route 128 (just south of Boston Massachusetts) !

Several New Hope musicians recorded the instrumental background on 4-track DAT cassette in the dark, unfinished basement of a friend in Westboro MA.

See some pictures on our "We Declare Your Glory" page. Several months later (in the back room of another friend´s mobile home! Julie Joyner added the vocals.

Brentwood Music in Nashville showed an early interest in that version of the song, but they didn´t have any projects in the works that matched the style.

In the Spring of 1996, Lenny Smith called to see if I´d like to do some co-writing with him New Hope and New Jerusalem Music happened to be next to each other alphabetically in the CCLI Publishers List!

After listening to all my recordings, he asked permission to reshape the lyrics and melody of "Splendor and Majesty", and that is how it came to have its current form.

Lenny has shared the music with many since then. Tom Fettke and Lillenas Publishing expressed an interest to do an arrangement for choir. Fred Bock Music Company also desired to write a choir arrangement and include it in a songbook, but neither offer was accepted.

Several music producers have shared it with Christian recording artists/songwriters (Kim Hill, Ron Kenoly, Phil Driscoll, Ken Copeland, Henry Smith) and more arrangements are in the works.

Here are the lyrics to SPLENDOR AND MAJESTY

Splendor and majesty are before You!
Strength and joy are in Your dwelling place!
Mercy and kindness, full of forgiveness!
Great are You, Lord, honored and worthy of praise!
Splendor and majesty! Honor and Glory!
Holy are You, O, Lord, Lamb of God!
Your love exceeds our fondest dreams,
Your power conquers ev´rything.
Grace and truth flow from Your throne
Awesome God! Awesome God!

Repeat

I have music to play on this page the song is SPLENDOR AND MAJESTY to play the song just click on the link I have provided and it will play. It should come up with your default player for MIDI music. Splendor and Majesty (41kb MIDI)