Be Of Good Cheer

Petra's “Be Of Good Cheer” sets Jesus's last words to his disciples to a plain refrain. It opens as he does in the upper room, “Peace be unto you / My peace I give to you,” then admits what is coming, “In this world you'll surely find / Trials of many different kinds.” The chorus then gives the comfort, “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome this world,” repeated so that the reassurance comes last.

The middle verse speaks of leaving and returning: “For now I go away / But I will return / To take you to a place to dwell / So where I am you'll be as well.” The final verse closes the loop with a promise of company until then, “I will not forsake you then / I'll be with you until the end.” The song adds very little to the source text.

John 16:33 gives the chorus and the trials, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 14:27 provides the opening line about peace, and John 14:3, where Jesus prepares a place for his followers, is behind the verse about a dwelling.